Page 92 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“So you had food delivered?”
“From a place in town.” He slides a bag across the table toward me. “Had to pay an extra surcharge on the app because we live so far out.”
I don’t reach for it. “You shouldn’t have bothered getting anything for me.”
His head tilts, watching me. “We’re not doing this again, are we?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Hello? Alto Burger. It was the first time I saw you properly eat, and I had to hold my essay hostage so you’d do it.”
I rear back in my chair. “Look, Ryder, I know at Alto Burger you basically became my savior when I was frozen. And then last night you… But I…”
“Alice, I’m just trying to get you to eat.” The undertone of concern cuts off my argument, and he leans forward. “I know it’s tough because of your parents, but I don’t want you getting sick over this. You’ve only just started having some color in your face.”
I chew my bottom lip, wishing I’d applied foundation to cover up my blush.
Ryder nudges the food bag closer to me. “Why don’t you try eating something? It wasn’t so bad last time, was it?”
“It was a burger last time.”
He smiles. “Check the bag.”
I pull the bag closer. I’m nauseous at the thought of putting something in my mouth. Holding my breath, I peer into the bag and fall into relief.
French fries.
Golden, crispy, and over-salted fries.
I take one out of the bag, grease coating my fingertips, and take a bite.
I smile, grateful it wasn’t vegetable soup or tuna mornay. The thought of real food still paralyzes me.
“Try the bacon and egg sandwich too,” Ryder suggests, pulling a wrapped sandwich from the second bag. “It’s sure to make you feel better.”
I eye him with curiosity, struck by his brunch choices. “Why do you care if I eat comfort food or not?”
Ryder pauses with his sandwich halfway to his mouth. He gestures at our books and pens on the tabletop. “If you’re gonna teach me, I need you to be functional.”
“Oh, right.” I take another fry out of the bag. “How could I forget the self-serving element?”
He takes a bite and casually talks while he chews. “If being selfish gets you to eat, then selfish I’ll be.”
I take another fry and scoff. “I’m sure my prim and proper aunt would hate the thought of me eating this greasy food.”
Ryder chuckles to himself. “Nope. Never seen that woman scarf a burger.”
“Who is she fooling with all this fancy food?” I shove my hand into the paper bag and snatch a handful of fries. “And this house? Does she really think she’s impressing anyone?”
“Ah, Alice…”
“Ugh. She makes me so mad.”
I’m shoving fistfuls of fries into my mouth, and Ryder drops his sandwich at the sight of it.
“We…” The word hangs in the air as Ryder’s wide eyes stay glued to me. “We don’t have to talk about Miranda.”
I tear open the bag, revealing my fully loaded bacon and egg sandwich. “Believe me, I’d love not to, but I’m stuck. My whole life now revolves around this woman I don’t even know. Where I go to school, where I live, and how I spend my time. It’s all about Miranda.” I take a big bite of the sandwich and let the grease and fat slide over my numb taste buds. “Miranda, Miranda, Miranda.”
