Ryder's POV
She smiled over the rim of her cup, eyes warmer now, lighter than they had been earlier.
"I'm glad I have a friend like you," she said, soft.
Friend.
That word echoed like a slap in my head.
Did I just get friend-zoned?
I leaned back in my chair and forced a smile. "Right. Yeah. Friend."
She didn't catch it. Or if she did, she ignored it.
Evie turned back to her tray, tossing a fry into her mouth like we were just two people having a normal, chill conversation.
Which we weren't.
Because every time she looked at me like that—bright eyes, small smile, complete trust—I felt something sharp and stupid twist in my chest.
I cleared my throat. "So, uh... what are you doing later today?"
She looked up. "Why? You planning to throw me into another ca
