Kent laughed as he put his arm around my shoulder and walked us to a table. I didn't embrace him back but just walked casually as if it were no big thing that my high school crush turned super hottie had his arm around me. And that he smelled like a nighttime forest. And that I wanted to smack the coffee out of his hand and have my way with him on every table in the joint. "You laugh, but that's only because you haven't seen them. And you probably never will. I don't like seeing grown men cry," I said.

"Right, right. Maybe we'll have to go to the gym sometime and see who's better at what. Or maybe just work out together. Mike would love it if you’d join in. He’d get to stare at you. It would be a nice change. It’s pretty creepy when he stares at me.” He led us to a table where he took a seat.

I sat down across from him and chuckled, “I’m sure you’d have no trouble finding a girl to work out with you two. There are lots of PYT’s dying for attention from two strapping college men like yourselves.”

Kent shook his head. "I don't want to do that. It's enough dealing with Jen when I have a hot friend, much less more girls trying to force their way in."

"Woah, woah...back up." I motioned backwards with my hand, "You think I'm hot?" I raised my eyebrows to match the surprise I felt.

"Yes. Why are you surprised? You were cute before, but you're smoking now. So, does it feel good to hear that from guys? See the way they look at you?" Kent took a drink of his iced coffee.

I shrugged, "Guys actually approach me now, but I wouldn't say anyone looks at me differently." Not that I paid much attention. "And yes, I am surprised to hear you admit that you find me attractive. It only took what…?" I looked up and pretended to mentally count. "Like ten years?"

Kent scoffed and shook his head. "You wanted to hear me say it for that long?" He smiled.

I smiled back. "Longer, probably. That's okay, though, I'm on my way to out-sexing you. I'm going to leave your monogamous ass in the dust." I sipped my tea, trying hard to make light of my guy situation.

That playful smile wavered for a moment but whatever he’d been thinking had quickly passed. "Yeah, yeah. If you count how much I've had then you've still got a way to go, Elly." He stuck his tongue out at me just as his phone played a few notes.

I kicked his shin under the table. "Oops." And then looked away innocently.