Shade pulled the chair beside mine and held it out. Brooke flounced into it, nearly knocking into the table as she sat.
Shade adjusted the place setting in front of her like he hadn't heard it. Like she hadn't already sucked the oxygen out of the room.
Brooke leaned over the armrest. "Didn't expect to be seated so close, Omegaria. Ha! Omegaria. That's your new nickname," she said, loud enough for the nearby tables to hear. "Hope I don't spill on your clearance dress. Would be a shame to ruin such a... rare piece."
I didn't flinch. Didn't bother to look at her. I reached for my water glass with steady fingers and took a sip.
Brooke leaned further. "Don't worry. It happens. Once, I had to help a kitchen girl out of a mop bucket. She didn't belong there either."
Shade unfolded his napki
