For a smart man, Austin Welch was feeling particularly dumbfounded. Usually, Sadie would fill in the gap his social anxiety left but she looked in no position to be carrying out her usual duties. The moment Kyle's human sushi story had ended, Sadie handed Lissa the money and stomped off, her scowl firmly in place.
Austin pursued her, as several romantic comedies he had suffered through would suggest to be the only acceptable course of action. His train of thought had derailed to the improbability of Sadie getting farther than this with those heels.
His forehead wrinkled as he stared into space in deep thought when a blur in his peripheral vision caught his eye. Sadie was letting loose a string of expletives when Austin cleared his throat. She barely cocked her head in his direction before she was back to cursing the day Kyle was born.
"Sadie— " He had barely formulated the sentences in his head when her hand came up to stop him. The other was gently pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Austin, I do not have the time to deal with your social retardation right now," Sadie explained, looking him in the eyes, "I have to make sure someone's pathetic man-cherry stays unpopped."
"I do hope you mean Kyle and not, well, me."
"What was that, social pariah?" She narrowed her eyes at him, her lips a dangerous in-between of her signature smirk and a smile. "Someone's finally found their balls."
"But," she carried on before he could interject, "if you think we're hooking up while you're wearing that shirt, then your parents should really have you tested. Again."
His eyebrows furrowed together. Her hand was placed casually on her hip and albeit looking a tad short of breath, she was almost her usual self.
"What's wrong with this shirt?"
"Thank god we know you're straight or else I might actually have to screw you to find out."
"Theories often require numerous tests of similar nature to be widely accepted as irrefutable truth." He gave his most disarming grin, testing the boundaries of their flirting.
"Austin, I usually cut the guy's tongue and stick it down their throat so they can finally get some but since this is your misguided attempt at being charming which is about as attractive as Hamiltoe pearl fishing, I'll let you off not get you off. You're welcome."
"I'm glad your mind's finally off Mr. PHHS." Sadie stared at him with a befuddled expression. "I wasn't sure how to comfort you but this seems to be efficient to some extent."
"If you weren't such a special needs boyfriend, I'd kick your ass." She took his hand into her own. "But, it was sweet in its own delusional way."
"You never did say whose cherry would remain unpopped."
"Well, you better start brushing up on your game, Welch." Sadie looked him over and laughed. "And a new wardrobe."
