“Hi, ladies! Mind if I join you?” A perfect set of pearly whites flashes at them. “The name’s Atom, in case you’re wondering.”
“Hi, Atom,” the girls, except Andy and Nikki, say in varying intonations.
“Take a seat, Atom.” A naughty glint sharpens Irene’s striking espresso-colored eyes, following Atom’s profile as he picks a chair between Andy and Jen, across from her. When Atom’s finally settled in, her piercing look cuts through him. She rests her elbow on the table and laces her fingers together, leaning forward. A grin curls the corner of her mouth, a dimple indenting her cheek. “So, Atom…” Her voice sounds somewhere between breathy and purr-like. “What’s your atomic number?”
“Oh, that.” Atom rubs his chin, his brows gathered in deep thought. “I’d say eight.” He stammers at first, u
