Page 106 of The Route to You

Kyle leaned back in his chair. “Just ask the betta fish he forgot existed on his windowsill.”

Jeremy scowled. “Cheap shot. It wasn’t my fault I didn’t know it didn’t get its food from the plant in there with it?”

“Yes. Yes, it is,” Kyle said with a firm nod.

Anna laughed, her hand landing on Kyle’s arm again like she’d been doing it for years. He didn’t shift away.

Sloan studied her menu. I didn’t think he was dating. At least, he hadn’t said anything when the whole conversation about Tara had come up.

Then again, they’d talked around a lot of important things but had skipped getting into details that maybe needed to be fleshed out.

“What are you drinking?” Anna leaned in slightly toward him, reading off his drink menu.

Beer. He’s a beer guy.

That answer came almost reflexively, though Sloan could be completely wrong. She hadn’t spent enough time with him recently to really know, though that’s all she’d seen him drink when he had drunk anything around her.

“Beer,” Kyle said.

Sloan bit back a smile.

“Oh, which one?” Anna leaned closer still.

Okay, lady, well, you don’t have to drape yourself on him.

He shrugged. “Whatever’s on tap.”

“They have a really great smoked old-fashioned here.” Anna tapped on the menu. “You should try it. That’s what I’m having.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Kyle said with a noncommittal shrug.

Anna glanced across the table. “What about you, Sloan?”

Sloan set the menu down. She had planned on ordering something with gin, which was her favorite, but Anna’s question rankled her. “A beer,” Sloan said casually.

Elle’s gaze flicked between them, taking notes in an older-sister way that Sloan recognized so well.

“So, Sloan,” Liddy said, drawing her attention back. “Kyle mentioned you were out job hunting on Friday when I was helping him move in.”

“Yeah.” Sloan could have kissed her for the question, thankful for the shift. “I found one, actually. At a paint n’ sip place. It’s not anything huge, but⁠—”

“It’s phenomenal,” Liddy said warmly. “That’s exciting.”

“It is,” Sloan admitted, a small smile tugging at her mouth.

“You’ve always been ridiculously talented,” Elle added, reaching for her water. “I’m not surprised.”

Heat crept up Sloan’s neck. “Thanks.”

Across the table, Kyle’s head tilted slightly, like he was listening without looking.

She hated this. Not just because she was uncomfortable and didn’t love talking about herself, but because the one person she wanted to be talking to was in the corner with Anna, who appeared to be having a private conversation. She laughed again, her leg pressing more firmly against Kyle’s.

Sloan’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her menu.

Stop.

She forced herself to look back at Elle. “How far along are you?”