Fight With Me

Chapter 4

Hope POV

Josie and I were still catching our breath from the golem encounter when Dad walked in.

"Josie, Hope, that was impressive," he said, shaking his head with a small smile. "Now, I know you two need fuel. Let's get some breakfast."

I groaned inwardly. After all that excitement, the last thing I wanted was a meal—but I went along anyway.

We headed to a little diner down the street from the library. I wasn't feeling breakfast, so I ordered the turkey club.

"Dad, all they have is meat for lunch!" Josie exclaimed, her eyes wide. I swear, can this girl get any more adorable?

"Then pick something in the breakfast section, sweetie," Dad replied. Josie just pouted, and I had to bite back a laugh.

About twenty minutes later, our food arrived. There was something familiar about the waiter, and I felt like I'd seen him before.

"Sorry, I just have to ask—you're Hope, right?" he said, setting down my glass of chocolate milk.

"Uh... yeah. And you are?"

"Oh, sorry! Landon. We used to go to the same high school, remember?"

"Oh yeah... were you popular?" I teased.

"Well, no, not exactly, but we had a class together," he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Why don't I catch up with you while they eat?" I asked, glancing at Dr. Saltzman for approval. He nodded, and I slipped out of the booth, fully aware that Josie's eyes were glued to me as I left.

We got to a separate booth, his back to Josie.

"Okay, Landon, I know who you are. I was just pretending not to, to make that girl over there jealous," I admitted.

"Is it working?"

"Not yet. Try making me laugh or something."

"Do I have to? I mean, look at me—I'm already wearing this dorky-ass hat," he said, pointing to the top of his head.

"Yeah... I'll just pretend to laugh," I said, faking it as best I could.

"So, what's the girl's name?"

"Josie—short for Josette."

"She's really cute, actually."

"Excuse you, hands off!"

"Oh, oh, sorry. Forgot," he said with a grin.

"Anyway, she's cute, but I don't know if I could get her to feel the way I do," he admitted, pausing to think.

"Oh, I know! How about you come with us for the day?" I suggested.

"Will that work?"

"Of course. I'll ignore her for you, and boom—you've got her all to yourself by the end of the day."

"Fine, fine. Let me just clock out, weirdo," he said, standing up.

I walked back to the booth where everyone else was sitting.

"Soooo, Landon is coming along with us today," I announced.

"Sounds great... what? Why?" Josie demanded.

"Why not? He's a great friend of mine, and I want company," I said with a mischievous grin.

"I was just disagreeing because there's no leg space in the car, but okay, yeah, he can come," she relented.

"Great! Glad to hear there isn't a problem," I said smugly.

⸻

Landon POV

I went to the back to clock out, having already worked six hours.

"Bye, Brenda! See you later," I waved at my manager and waited by the door, listening for the right moment to slip out.

When I heard Hope's voice say, "Great! Glad to hear there isn't a problem," I knew it was my cue. I stepped out, grinning.

"Hey, the more the merrier, right?" I said, trying to sound casual.

"Well, this should be a fun day," I whispered into Hope's ear.

"If you do everything I say, it will be... well, for me at least. But don't worry, I'll owe you," she teased.

"You'll owe me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, pinky promise," she said, holding out her hand.

"You've got to be kidding me," I laughed, grabbing her pinky. "Fine, whatever. Just make sure you keep your word."

"I will, dude. Now stop rambling," Hope said before we all got into the car together.