1. Pizza

  The door chimed our arrival and blasted us with crisp, cool recycled air. Bright summer sun pounded down on the sidewalk outside, the beams reflecting through the windows of the brick-walled restaurant.

  The few groups seated at the tables—office workers and students alike—looked our way, eying my bouquet of soap bubble balloons while Lina and I crossed the checkered tiles to our favorite table by the window at the far back. Zeyna was already sitting there, her wavy ruby hair pulled back into a ponytail, the embellished braids neat along the sides.

  “Happy, happy birthday to you!” I shouted, and Zeyna’s magi-tab slipped out of her fingers.

  “Happy birthday!” Lina followed.

  I shoved the collection of balloons into her hands, and Lina popped the cheap Birthday Girl tiara on her head, the rhinestones shimmering, and wrapped her neck with a black and gold feather boa.

  It wasn’t my special day, but nothing marked the beginning of my bloom better than Zeyna Kazix’sa’s birthday. I might have considered it my favorite holiday, if it were one.

  It came at the perfect time every year, just when classes and exams finished—when we desperately needed a break. And Zeyna wasn’t one to settle, to let a miraculous moment such as the date of her birth pass as if it were just any day, even if it was a measly Thursday.

  As her best friend of practically twelve years, I’d come to know what to expect of Zeyna.

  She liked to call the shots, and she was the type to use her birthday as an excuse for anything, which was entirely unnecessary because she almost always got her way, even on a regular day.

  When she told me and Lina last night that she wanted to go to Dominion’s, our favorite fast-food joint, for lunch, I knew that was just the beginning of what would be—if all went to plan—a long, fun-filled weekend.

  “Ah! Thank you!” She whined, “But you shouldn’t have gotten me balloons; they’re horrible for the environment.”

  For as long as I could remember, Zeyna cared about three main things: her family, her friends and the environment. She spared no expense on two of those things: us and the environment. Most of those expenses were paid by her family. As far as we knew, all of Zeyna’s money came from them, and whatever hers and Hellion’s birthday weekend would bring would be Zenzatsu’s treat.

  “I know,” I said while taking the chair beside her. “But they’re magic, not plastic.”

  Zey took another look at the transparent film with swirling sparkles and magic inside, more delighted that they were environmentally friendly than the fact that I’d gotten her balloons for her birthday for the first time in like ten years. They weren’t fucking cheap either.

  Lina sat across from us, rubbing her fingers together with a groan and grimace. The tables were never cleaned properly during the lunchtime rush—even less likely so on the weekends.

  She’d come from work, so she was still in her low block heels and gray plaid pencil skirt. Her cropped black hair was styled in its usual way—whichever she brushed it when she got out of the shower.

  Immediately, she was on her magi-tab, checking some messages while Zey tied the cotton strings to her purse strap.

  A squeal sounded from Zey. Her tan thighs ripped from the sticky leather seat when she leaned over to squeeze me.

  “Ugh! I’m so excited!”

  “Me too!” We looked to Lina for her addition.

  “Should be fun,” she said, tapping at the glowing slab of glass in her palm.

  Zey ripped the tablet from her fingers and stuffed it in her bra. Lina gaped and lunged for it.

  “No tabs at the lunch table!”

  Lina huffed. “Fine, just give it back. I know how sweaty it is in there.”

  I snickered. Zeyna pulled the glass free and handed it back to her. I half-expected Zey to make a quip about actually having something to fill out her bra. Instead, she went on about the plans for tonight, then a new car she wanted—electric this time.

  A worker strolled out of the kitchen over to us and pushed a pizza onto the table with a smug smirk. “Enjoy, you have thirty minutes for the money.” He rushed back to the kitchen, leaving us with a steaming thirty-inch pizza.

  Our bulging eyes glared at Zeyna. I should’ve known she’d do this. She always said she wanted to tackle the challenge. Lina shook her head in disbelief. It looked like she’d vomit and she hadn’t even taken a bite yet.

  “Hee hee hee.”

  “This is too big! How do you expect us to finish this?” I asked, unable to rip my eyes away from the bubbling sauce, melted cheese and puddles of orange oil pooling in the curled pepperoni.

  Zeyna pulled out the first slice and slapped it onto a plate. “One bite at a time, Sera. One bite at a time.”

  She didn’t wait for it to cool because, as a fire elemental, she didn’t need to; she stuffed the corner of the triangle into her mouth and chomped down, ripping away the entire piece of steaming cheese.

  “Come on, I want to win!”

  Sighing, I served Lina a piece from the half Veggie Lover’s side, then pulled a piece of Meat Lover’s onto a plate for myself. The first slice was good. It hit the spot after I missed breakfast. Even the second slice was good—as expected of Dominion’s.

  Though it was a chain, it was one of the better fast-food places in the area, and the interior was trendy and comforting enough to want to come, order some food and fit some studying in. The food wasn’t only well-seasoned with grease but nostalgia too. I’d tried at least half of the menu ever since we’d started at the Solace Hall of Knowledge and Magical Arts—otherwise known as Sol Magia Hall; Magia for those lazy.

  We made it something of a habit to stop by most Friday or Saturday nights after partying a little too hard. It never let us down, either. Regardless of what I ordered, I found myself in drunken bliss, and that bliss reached me even when I was sober.

  But no less than ten minutes later, I wanted to cry. I couldn’t even remember how many slices I had. Lina had already given up and continued to watch with utter disgust on her face. I felt disgusted with myself, so I couldn’t take offense.

  “Why would you do this to us?” I yelled between bites. The guys behind the counter laughed, and I winced.

  Don’t look at me, I’m disgusting!

  “I don’t know! I thought it’d be fun!” Zeyna whined while she undid the top three buttons of her tight black high waisted shorts.

  “It’s not! It’s not fun! This is the worst time I’ve had all year!”

  And that was saying something because I had Shawn as a father…

  “I’m sorry!” She stuffed a huge chunk into her mouth, ripping at the dough and chewing it as if it was a mouthful of flour and not pizza.

  “Fifteen minutes!” someone called from behind the counter.

  My chest heaved as I looked at the remaining pieces, a little less than a quarter left. We could do it… maybe… but as I looked at the half-eaten slice between my oil-slick fingers, I wanted to hurl up my guts.

  I wrapped a hand around my mouth prematurely. I shook my head at the half-slice but shoved it into my face. My eyes watered as I chewed the thick ball of cold chewy dough.

  The door’s bell rang out, greeting another customer, but I couldn’t pull my hopeless eyes from the pie. Zeyna blurted a greeting through full cheeks, and my eyes found Kayo before jumping to Hellion, who came through the door.

  I whipped my head away. No, I’m a pizza monster! But then I remembered, I didn’t like him, and if he thought I was disgusting, then I’d get him off my back forever.

  I continued our crusade, grabbing another piece and pushing it into my face hole.

  “No… You didn’t…” Kayo smiled, watching all that had and was taking place, as he sat on the corner beside Lina.

  Zeyna nodded with chipmunk cheeks, then almost coughed up some macerated pizza.

  “How much time left?”

  She held up her two hands, indicating ten minutes.

  Hellion leaned on the metal of Kayo’s seat and smirked at me. “Wow, Sera.”

  I couldn’t hold his gaze and glanced away as I took another bite. Bile burned my throat, but the pizza stayed down. Even so, the threat had been enough for my eyes to widen and a tear to escape down my cheek.

  I whined, and Hellion grinned. He pulled out his glowing red magi-tab, a shade darker than his hair, to record me, and I swear I died.

  “No!” I called through a stuffed mouth, whimpering.

  “I want to remember this forever.” He chuckled. “You got this, Sera.”

  Wincing, I tried to breathe, and wiped at the orange oil dripping down my mouth and chin but only smeared more on.

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” Lina said.

  I growled at her. We were the ones who’d eaten ninety percent of it.

  “What?” She clenched her jaw.

  I couldn’t continue. I was pretty sure Zeyna’s soul had already left her body. The only reason she kept going was probably because she was possessed by the last of her fading spirit. Horror gripped me, and I turned back to Hellion, chewing at the soggy mass.

  “Only two more pieces! You got this!” Kayo cheered us on.

  Only… Only!

  “Hellion…” I whimpered, another tear falling. “Help me…”

  I must’ve been disgusting, truly. I couldn’t imagine how I wouldn’t be. Looking at Zeyna’s face, one might have thought she was a toddler who’d just learned how to eat on her own.

  “Aww, Sera,” he cooed with a sympathetic chuckle. “I can’t help you with this, but I’ll be sure to hold your hair back when you puke your guts up later.” His smoky gray-brown eyes pried away from his red glass and finally met mine. “Just one more, you got this, ba—”

  “Two minutes!”

  I swallowed and snatched up my last piece. Zeyna clamped a hand to my arm, screaming for me to eat. My stomach and my soul and my arteries cried. And for once, there was no room for dessert.

  I tore at the slice, my jaw aching and long ready to quit, but they cheered me on, and I wouldn’t let them down. I ripped; I tore. I swallowed ball after ball and popped the last bit of crust in my mouth. I chewed and chewed and chewed.

  Down it went, with thirteen seconds remaining. I stuck out my tongue and was rewarded with a resounding “Ey!”

  Zeyna jumped from the table, screaming and squeezing me. I feared I’d squirt up half-digested pizza. “Yes! Yes! Yes! We killed it! We did it! Ahhhh!”

  Just then, one of the balloons quietly popped and shimmered a magical Happy Birthday message down on us.

  Groaning, I toppled out of my seat and wordlessly stalked to the bathroom. Zeyna followed after me and said I could keep the money, but I didn’t know how worth it that was for a hundred-dollar credit. I’d have to go the whole day in massive discomfort; I’d likely puke as Hellion mentioned—I was on the verge of puking most days, and who knew how many years that cholesterol would take off my life?

  “I’m never doing this again,” I growled at Zeyna through the mirror as we cleaned our faces.

  The oil stained my cheeks, just another reason it hadn’t been worth it. Now I’d have to walk around with an orange mouth for the rest of the day, then go to work looking like this. I scrubbed at my cheeks, willing the orange away.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Zeyna finished washing her hands and air dried them.

  I cleared my throat and chucked the napkin away. “Was it just me, or did Hellion almost call me babe—or baby?”

  “I thought so too…” She raised her eyebrows, snickering. “He caught himself, though.”

  “But he’s never made that mistake before…” I sighed. “And I thought that seeing me like that would disgust him and be enough to get him off my back.”

  “If that didn’t do it, nothing will.”

  “Seriously… Even I hate myself now.”

  We pushed out of the washroom to find the guys waiting for us by the door. Lina had already left, since she’d gone way past her lunch. She worked for her parents, but that didn’t ever offer her any benefits, least of all a longer lunch. Most days she claimed to not have taken a lunch at all. It was probably the reason she ate like a bird—literally just some seeds and a couple of fruits or vegetables each day.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Hellion handed us our bags before he opened the door for us, and we all spilled out onto the sidewalk. Zeyna groaned, and I felt it in my whole being.

  “Ice cream anyone?” Kayo asked, his dark skin soaking up the sun.

  Zeyna and I both shot daggers at him, and he laughed. But it was no laughing matter. There was no room for dessert, and there was always supposed to be room for dessert.

  While the others discussed what to do next, I stared unresponsively. I figured out one more reason the pizza challenge wasn’t worth it: food coma.

  “Can we just not exist right now?”

  I had a couple hours before my shift and I didn’t want Zeyna getting any more crazy ideas before then. All I wanted to do was digest, but I didn’t expect that to happen. Only because it took me forever to digest. I’d be glad if my stomach could get through that pizza before Monday.

  “We must exist right now! It’s my birthday!”

  I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Well, can you guys exist while I go to the apartment and not exist?”

  “No!”

  “I have to get ready for work and I haven’t even packed for later yet.”

  “Fine,” Zeyna droned.

  By the time I got back to the apartment, I was ready to call off work and sleep the rest of the day away. But I had already taken four days off to celebrate with the twins over the weekend, and I couldn’t justify losing out on any more money.

  So I packed my things slowly and then put my head down for a nap.

  ***

  I arrived twenty minutes late to my shift. Hellion, as per usual, arrived on time—as soon as the doors opened at 5:00 PM sharp.

  It never failed. He never failed—except when it came to me. But according to his outlook on life, you couldn’t fail unless you quit. Though, I found it hard to believe he’d never give up on me. One day he’d have to because, well, I wasn’t going to budge. Not in this.

  He could show up to my work every single day for the rest of my life. He could buy me all the food or gifts. He could treat me to vacations. He could show up to my window to chat whenever, take me wherever.

  Hellion could try all he wanted; he’d never win me over.

  The kitchen doors swung, and Heidi entered—the oldest of the girls Shay employed and an assistant manager. Straight dirty blonde hair hung over her black tank top. She waved, then padded to the lockers behind me, stuffing her bag in.

  “Zephyr is out there waiting for you.”

  “I know.” I always made him wait.

  A message slid down on my screen. It’s my birthday y’know, he messaged.

  I know, I replied.

  I hadn’t had the chance to wish him a happy birthday earlier, and now he’d made it awkward. Now it seemed as if he had to remind me and I would only be saying it because he reminded me. But how could I possibly forget when it was all Zeyna talked about since the beginning of the month? She shouted it to the world; we were both there.

  I ventured deeper into the kitchen and paused beside the grill, looking up at Urie. He nodded to me, and I nodded to him.

  “It’s Hellion’s birthday today; you think you can make him a dessert for me?”

  “Zeph’s birthday, huh? Yeah, I can whip something up. What’s he like?”

  What dessert did Hellion like? I sighed. He probably would’ve been able to answer this in a split second if it were for me; we’d know each other that long. I should’ve paid more attention to his preferences.

  “Something chocolate, I guess. I think he likes cherry too.” I shrugged. “Doesn’t have to be anything fancy—just figured I’d ask, y’know.”

  He nodded as Heidi called to me, beckoning me to join her in the taproom. I thanked him and jogged out of the kitchen, pocketing my magi-tab. Heidi greeted a group of guests, sat them at one of the closer tables to the bar and handed them menus.

  Hellion smiled and threw up a hand in greeting.

  “Happy Birthday, Hellion. I didn’t forget.”

  I grabbed a bottle of spiced rum and two shot glasses.

  “I know,” he said as I filled the tiny glasses.

  We each grabbed one, clinked them together and threw them back. His jaw tightened, and I left the bottle for him, obscured by a menu. I winked at him, and he snorted. He likely wouldn’t touch it, but it would be there if he wanted it.

  “Where are Zeyna and Kayo? They didn’t want to come?” I asked.

  “Oh, we met up with some of the guys earlier. Nizawraith and Laz offered to take her out for dinner to celebrate. And Kayo went to pack.”

  My brow lifted. The fuck? Dinner after all that damn pizza we scarfed down? And his friends were taking her out to dinner without him? Well, they were her friends too, I supposed—but primarily his. Either way, it was suspicious. They were trying to get into her pants or something.

  “They’re not taking you?”

  “I told them I was coming here.” He smiled. “They might try to make it down to Alora as well if they can figure out the logistics—so we can all celebrate together.”

  I gave him a pitying look. “Why would you want to come here when you could be hanging out with them until we leave? You’d have much more fun.”

  “I want to be with you on my birthday.”

  I sounded my disapproval and dropped my arguments.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  I shook my head, insisting he didn’t ask such questions. Every time I spoke, I feared something unexpected might come up.

  “Not great…” I grimaced.

  That shot wasn’t likely to help either.

  He frowned. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  I nodded, then greeted a couple who entered. I left him to show them to a table while Heidi was busy in the kitchen. He watched me. It seemed like there was always someone watching me.

  I accepted the couple’s drink order, saving Heidi the trouble, and returned to my position behind the bar. Strawberry margarita and gin and tonic, I sang in my head even as I made the drinks, blending the lovely pink slush.

  Heidi returned and made idle conversation with Hellion as I finished the drinks.

  “What are the plans, birthday boy?”

  “If only my sister would tell me,” he responded.

  Heidi was a lucky girl. If any other girl had asked him, he’d burn them to a crisp with his glare alone. She was older, though, so maybe he knew she wanted nothing from him.

  “Zeyna, right? I’ve heard the stories…”

  Zeyna had definitely been to the bar while Heidi was on shift, but the two had never formally met. Zeyna only ever came on a weekend when it was busy, so there wasn’t ever time to chat. All my co-workers knew Hellion personally but Zeyna only by the stories and tidbits I’d drop.

  She was so ingrained in my life that it was hard not to talk about her. She was present for most of my experiences, and we lived together—Lina too.

  Hellion laughed. “Yeah… Hard not to have fun when she’s around. I think I’m in good hands, when it comes to birthdays at least.”

  I smiled to myself, pouring the slush into a salt rimmed glass. “I think she’s opted for a chill weekend this time, so you don’t need to worry.”

  He raised his eyebrow. “Sera, there’s no such thing as chill with Zeyna.”

  There wasn’t, but what I meant was that we weren’t going to be getting hardcore wasted like we did whenever we went to a house party. If anything, it was going to be board games, movies and bonding time. We hadn’t gotten to do much of that together over the semester.

  “How wild can a weekend away at the cabin be?”

  “Cabin? You’re talking about the Kazix’sa’s here. It’s no ordinary cabin. And no ordinary girl.”

  That was for sure. Zeyna was… Zeyna.

  I placed the drinks on Heidi’s tray and pushed them to her. “You gotta get wild while you can, before you’re old and decrepit,” she encouraged us. “Though, I’m sure you two don’t need to worry about that anytime soon.” She grabbed the tray and stalked off.

  Nightshade & Belladonna was small and a ways away from the main street but still got packed by peak hours. Shay constantly insisted only two of us were needed and made sure to hire hard workers so we wouldn’t complain as much. The only reason I didn’t complain was because of the tips, and I didn’t want to split them with one more girl. So I zipped my lips, slapped on a dazzling smile and did my job like no other.

  My stomach roiled, but I suppressed my groan and tried to ignore it. But it didn’t care if I gave it the time of day or not. If it wanted to be sick, it would be sick. It didn’t ask for permission. I wiped the sweat collecting at my temples with the back of my hand and continued shaking the cocktail shaker.

  I sucked in a heavy breath, swallowing. Handing the drink to the lady at the end of the bar, I rubbed at my chest, attempting to dull the burn.

  Holy shit, it was hot. I fanned myself and glanced over to Hellion. He looked fine. Of course, he was fine; he hadn’t eaten a baby’s weight in pizza.

  I pulled out my tab and messaged Zeyna, Fuck you. I feel pregnant with a pizza baby.

  I caught her response a few minutes later: At least you know it’s not Zeph’s baby. Rolling my eyes, I slipped the glass back into my fanny pack and started on a handful of drinks Heidi had listed off to me.

  I had to take a break halfway through to ensure I didn’t vomit into the glasses. Clamping a hand around my lips, I swallowed the pizza that threatened to come up and shivered my disgust. I would not vomit in front of all these people.

  As soon as I finished the order, I pushed into the kitchen and called to Shay. She poked her head out of her office across the kitchen.

  “Cover for me, washroom break.”

  She nodded.

  I scurried around the bar and past Hellion on the way to the bathroom. He slid from his chair to follow after me. The washroom was locked—in use. I pounded on the door, snarling. He might have broken the door down for me if it weren’t a washroom. I gagged, and he stepped back.

  All I needed was a place to puke!

  Rushing outside with my nails digging into my cheeks, I ran across the parking lot and pushed through the bushes to the grass. My throat tensed and I exploded, chunky yellow fluid coating my hands, and my stomach emptied onto the grass.

  Tears stung the corner of my eyes, slowly dripping down my face. It felt like it never ended… My body heaved over and over again.

  Hellion materialized, but I was too busy hurling my guts up to care. He couldn’t stay put. He was almost like a mother with her child: he couldn’t rest knowing I could be in danger.

  His gentle fingertips grazed my skin as he pulled stray strands away from my moist cheeks and collected my hair atop my head. A soft breeze blew over my neck, and my body eased while he rubbed my back.

  I breathed, thinking it was over. It wasn’t. I was going to murder Zeyna in her sleep.

  His hand shifted atop my head. He didn’t watch, thankfully. Only psychopaths could watch someone vomit.

  I straightened and cringed at my hands, wiping my cheeks on my shoulders. A warmth came around me when Hellion dropped my hair back down.

  “Can you tie it up? There’s an elastic in my back pocket.”

  He nodded, and I looked away as his fingers shifted against my butt, digging for the hair tie.

  “High, medium or low?”

  “A high bun, if possible.”

  He pulled the hair back, his fingers brushing against my scalp. He’d seen me put my hair up enough times to understand the technique, but as he twisted the elastic into my hair, it was much too loose.

  It didn’t matter; I only needed to wash my hands before I could fix it.

  I turned, and he looked at me with a smirk. “No, it doesn’t look right.”

  “It’s fine, I just—”

  “Let me try again.” He pried the elastic free, and I sighed, turning around. It did feel much better the second time around.

  I glared at him expectantly. “Is it up to standard, sir?”

  “It will do.”

  Hellion escorted me back to the bar, holding the doors open for me. The washroom was finally free. He turned on the faucet, and I shoved my hands under the flowing water as he twisted at the knobs to get the correct temperature. My palm, then, moved under the soap dispenser. He pushed the lever twice.

  “Thank you. I think I can handle it from here.”

  He smirked. “You sure? I can dry your hands for you. That door handle is probably filthy too; you probably don’t want to touch that.”

  I glowered at him through the mirror. “You want to do my job for me too? How’s your bartending ability?”

  I shifted my head in the mirror, checking out my hair. On second thought, he’d probably excel at bartending; he’d seen me do that enough too. His memory was certainly better than mine.

  “Maybe any other day, but today is my birthday so—”

  “Okay, Zeyna.” I grabbed a paper towel and dried my hands before stalking off.

  Shay watched in concern as I rounded the bar. “Are you okay? You look pale. If you need to go home early, just tell me. I can cover for the rest of the night.”

  Hellion eavesdropped, awaiting my answer. Did he want to leave early for his birthday? I might have agreed, but I’d already asked Urie to make something, so I couldn’t leave now.

  I informed her I was fine, and his lids lowered. It wasn’t like we were missing out on much. At most, dinner with his family, and if he really wanted, he could’ve been there. I didn’t force him to come to the bar. He chose to.

  That family dinner was likely to be shitty anyway. Both Zeyna and Hellion had mentioned how cranky their mom had been lately.

  Hellion poured himself another shot in secret and got comfortable for the long haul.

  Shay finished up the drinks she was making before returning to her hovel of an office. I sighed and continued without complaint.

  Urie popped his head out of the kitchen an hour later, gesturing for me to come. I snuck into the kitchen. He nodded to the metal worktable.

  Two slices of black forest cake sat on the table. He’d even scrounge up some candles and sparklers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t brave enough to bring a flame near a tower of booze. Though, if something happened to go out of hand, Hellion likely would’ve dealt with it for me.

  I thanked Urie and grabbed a plate. I might not have known Hellion’s preferences exactly, but I knew he liked to share—and I was not eating more than a bite or two. Then nothing for the rest of the night.

  The sparkler would’ve been nice. Dramatic, just how the demon twins liked it. But he would live without a little sparkle. He was lucky he was getting anything at all.

  I swung the doors open and strolled over to him. He looked up from his magi-tab, and a grin grew on his face while I slid the cake onto the counter.

  “Do you want me to sing you Happy Birthday?” I regretted the words the second they left my mouth.

  “Of course. Always.”

  I sighed. Why did I have to ask?

  And so, I sang, and it wasn’t good. My cheeks heated while I sped through the short song. I couldn’t even look at him. I passed him a fork, but he didn’t take it. Instead, his mouth hung open.

  “Are you serious?”

  He nodded, watching me. “It’s my birthday.”

  Yeah, and it was getting annoying. His mouth waited, and it’d wait all night, I was sure.

  I scooped off a large bite, balanced it precariously on the fork and lifted it to him. His eyes narrowed, but he opened his mouth wider. We both gasped as the cake nearly fell off the fork. I shoved the dessert into his mouth, whipped cream and cherries smearing across his lips.

  He chewed and hummed his delight. Licking his lips, his tongue rolled around his mouth, trying to grab the remaining residue. I squealed at the sight, so gross. He snorted, then grabbed a napkin to wipe his face.

  “Your turn.” I shook my head. “Yes, Sera, you have to eat my birthday cake; it’s only polite.”

  “You’re such a pain in the mother-effing ass.”

  I reached for the fork, but he grabbed it before I could. My eyes rolled. Such a little shit.

  He split off a chunk. A diabolical grin ripped across his face as he picked up half the slice with his fingers. I backed away a step, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, bringing the cake to my face.

  “Hellion,” I warned, and clamped my mouth closed.

  “Open up, Sera. Or it’s going straight in your face.”

  I writhed in his grip and tried to pry his fingers from my arm. I was almost free, but he locked back on and yanked me toward him. Yelping as whipped cream poked my nose, I pulled my head away, but he latched onto the back of my neck.

  “You’re gonna eat this cake, young lady, and you’re gonna like it!”

  The group at the bar chuckled at my struggle, and knowing they were watching, I nearly died of embarrassment. I opened my mouth as wide as possible, just wanting it to end already.

  He shoved the cake in. Some got up my nose; the rest smooshed against my chin.

  I called him an asshole; though, I didn’t expect him to understand.

  “You’re not supposed to talk with your mouth full, Sera.”

  I flipped him the middle finger instead, and he got the picture. He snickered.

  The cake was delicious. If only more of it actually got in my mouth. He handed me a napkin, and I ripped it from his fingertips. I would’ve liked to rub my face on his, get revenge for his revenge, but that was much too intimate for friends.

  I cleaned my face, then threw the napkin at him. “Watch your back, Hellion.”