Chapter 34. Strawberries and Cream

ARDEN

“Do you know that guy?”

I turned to the side, startled to see Owen emerging from the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee in his hands. He prepared himself a fresh cup while I watched him absentmindedly.

“Are you not going to answer?” he prompted, raising an eyebrow at my silence.

I shifted my gaze to the table furthest from the counter and noticed Jaxon stealing glances at me intermittently.

“I wish I didn’t know him,” I muttered softly.

Owen took a deliberate sip of his freshly brewed coffee before adding, “Well, his girlfriend must feel the same way. It looks like she’s ready to murder you with her eyes.”

I turned my attention back to the group, and in a moment of perfect timing, Sienna shot me a glare, her mouth moving animatedly as she conversed with her friends.

“I don’t understand,” I murmured in frustration. “Why does she feel so threatened by me?”

Feeling Owen’s gaze piercing into the side of my face, I turned my head