Free Spiral (Spiral Series) by Maddy Edwards Page A

shady. What did he mean when he talked about the family business? What happened to Nat’s mother that he never said? It was all just weird and a bit far-fetched. I bet he was in one of those acting classes where people go out on assignment to see how well the students do in real life situations.”
    “You,” said Maxie dramatically, “are not romantic.”
    I grinned at her. “Sorry, but the simplest explanation is usually the right one. And Pierce’s story makes zero sense unless it’s made up.”
    “Well,” said Maxie, tossing her hair, “I believe it.”
    “So do I,” said Andrew, thanking the waitress who brought the food. Jill glared at him, but he ignored her and started to eat.
    “Why do you believe it?” Jill demanded, annoyed into talking to him.
    “Because guys are romantic and can care about a girl. Just because girls are too cynical to see it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” He raised his eyebrows at Jill, the picture of innocence.
    When she didn’t respond he turned to me and said, “What are you going to do if you see him again?”
    I stared at him. I had honestly not even thought about it. “I think I’d say hi,” said Maxie decisively. “That makes the most sense to me.”
    “I would offer to kick him in the shin if he came near me,” said Jill. “Seems like the right way to handle it.”
    “You’re always so friendly,” said Maxie, shaking her head.
    “Nat?” Jill asked, when I didn’t say anything. “What would you do?”
    I looked down, swirling my water and trying to think. “I would say hi,” I said. “That’s what I would do with anyone, right? So why not him?”
    “Because he is the picture of male perfection? So hot he can’t be looked at directly?” Maxie asked, splaying her hands. She had a habit of talking with her hands. “Just to name a couple of reasons why it might be difficult.”
    Jill rolled her eyes and Maxie grinned. She was gearing up to say something else when I saw a familiar face in the doorway and my heart sank. Haley strolled in without bothering to look at our table; she just stood, waiting for the waitress to seat her. She was with an attractive guy I had never seen before.
    “Ew,” Jill murmured, glaring at Haley. “She’s someone I wouldn’t be sad to see disappear.”
    “The list of people who you’d be sad about if they disappeared is pretty short,” said Maxie. “Don’t be mean. I’m sure she has a good side.”
    “Where? She probably left it in whatever city she moved from,” said Jill.
    “No,” said Andrew thoughtfully. “She probably wasn’t nice there, either. It takes someone a long time to get that mean.” We all looked at him in surprise. I had never heard Andrew say a bad word about anyone, so for him it was pretty harsh.
    “Don’t worry about Haley,” said Jill. “If you need me to I’ll defend your honor.” She gave me a wink.
    “Seriously?” Andrew asked, raising his eyebrows.
    “What? Are you saying I can’t fight because I’m a girl?” Jill glowered.
    “Yeah,” said Andrew, “that’s exactly what I’m saying, because insulting you seems like such a good idea.”
    I choked on my water as Maxie giggled. “Looks like you have someone who can keep up with you, Jill. What are you going to do about it?” she asked mischievously.
    “He can only keep up with me if I let him,” said Jill, taking a huge bite of her salad so she wouldn’t be able to talk. “And I’m not going to let him.”
    I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard Jill mutter, “Men!” under her breath.
    To my great relief, Haley and the guy she was with didn’t come near our table, and my friends and I were able to finish dinner and leave the restaurant without any incidents. I had come to expect trouble whenever I saw Haley, because Haley always had some mean comment ready for me. Of course this time I was with Andrew, who, as the most popular guy at school, was probably the only person who could make Haley’s life