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André greeted everyone he knew, saving Nikki for last.
“Would you like me to go?” he asked, low and with total sincerity. He didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. And he didn’t want to draw attention to the fact that she might be.
Her shoulders relaxed at his question. “No.” She looked up at him with those big blue eyes that he adored and smiled softly. “You don’t have to go.”
She was wearing what she’d been in at work today—jeans and a lavender t-shirt that said “Infantstructure” on it. He’d meant to ask about the shirt but didn’t get an opportunity. But it also meant she hadn’t gone home to change for her date with Ryan.
And he read way too much into that.
It still made him happy.
Ryan was great.
Didn’t mean André wanted to see him be the one to get all of Nikki’s bright smiles.
“I didn’t mean to crash another date,” he said. “Though it looks like I wasn’t the only one this time.” He eyed the large group taking up a good portion of the small lobby area.
Nikki’s soft laugh brought him back to her. “You’re not crashing anything. We had our final date a little earlier.”
He frowned in question.
“Ryan doesn’t feel that way about me. He thinks we’re better as friends.” She shrugged and rolled her eyes like she couldn’t believe it either.
“Hedumpedyou?”
“Right?” She waved a hand. “Thank you. Finally, someone gets it. Asa was less than sympathetic.”
André was equal parts relieved and disgusted. Ryan could only be so lucky. And yes, he knew he wasn’t being rational. He didn’t want Nikki dating the guy, but he also hated the idea of her getting hurt.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, trying not to make this moment all about him.
Sure, she was laughing about it and being good-natured, but who really liked getting dumped?
Her lips twisted to the side, and she frowned. “I feel weird.”
He nodded and took her by the elbow. “Weird is a perfectly valid response. Let me get you some sweets. Anything you want.”
She cracked a smile. “Thanks.”
“I’m not kidding. Let’s get you all hopped up on sugar and then send you home with Asa. He’ll be more sympathetic after that.”
Nikki belted out a loud laugh and André wanted to pat himself on the back.
See? They had fun together. It wasn’t his imagination.
“Dre!”
He spun around at the sound of his sister’s voice.
She launched herself at him and he almost took a lightsaber to his nose as she flung her arms around his neck.
Sabine backed up and smacked him on the arm. “What are you doing here?”
“Uh.” He coughed a light laugh. “I was invited.”
Sabine was wearing a cream-colored tunic and brown robe.
And a fake beard.
