He was a little young for me to usually notice him, but Viola’s reaction to him was enough to draw my attention. Whoever he was, he was extremely good-looking, with thick dark blond hair, high cheekbones, a roman nose, and a pouting lower lip. With his angular jaw, long limbs, and broad shoulders, if anyone could be a model, it was him.

His strong biceps were visible in his dark blue T-shirt, and Viola eyed him with distaste.

I raised an eyebrow.

She was obviously unimpressed with his masculine beauty. Good. It meant the darling girl saw beyond these things to what mattered.

At that thought, my protective instincts kicked in.

Who was this kid that upset her with his mere presence?

“I came to sample your wares,” he announced loudly, eyes flickering up from the leftovers to Viola. “But unsurprisingly I’m not tempted.”

That little shit.

About to step forward, I was stopped by Viola’s cool reply. “Impotence is a problem for someone who finds no joy in life.”

I smirked.

The young man narrowed his eyes. “My problem is only around you. Funny that.”

“The fact that you find no joy in the company of a smart and witty woman is not surprising to me, Lucas Elliot. You prefer them dumb and silent, right?”

Ah. Lucas Elliot.

West Elliot’s youngest son.

Also home for summer vacation, I presumed.

Roane had said that he and Viola did not get along, but witnessing it in real life was something else. They visibly bristled as they interacted.

Lucas braced his hands on the stall and leaned forward, bringing his head closer to Viola’s. She didn’t even flinch. “I prefer them sweet like honey.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Not sour like vinegar.”

“Oh, Lucas.” Viola fluttered her lashes comically. “With original metaphors like that, you should be a poet.”

I tried to contain my snort.

A muscle twitched in her opponent’s jaw, and he straightened to his full height. Both of them seemed to have completely forgotten Caro was there and watching their interaction with avid curiosity. That would make two of us.

“Heard your boyfriend dumped you for a cheerleader. Might be something in that, Viola.”

If she could have killed him with looks, he’d be dead. “Oh, please, I’m all aflutter to hear romantic advice from a boy who rumor has it arrives way too early every time.”

My eyes bugged out of my head, and I had to cover my mouth to stifle my shocked gasp. I was even more shocked when Lucas just smirked at her response. “Oh, my stats are clear on that count. I always make sure a woman is satisfied multiple times.”

“Well, you’ve certainly made sure there’s enough data to draw that conclusion. Better watch that, Elliot. An overabundance of research could lead to an STD in your spreadsheets.”

I was shaking now with the urge to belly laugh.