Chaos Theory (Nerds of Paradise #2)(6)
“Looks like we have ourselves some lunch companions,” Calliope said. She looped her free arm through Melody’s and started across the room.
“That looks yummy,” Denise greeted them, standing from the table, as they reached the others. “I’m gonna go grab some, now that someone else is here to save our spot.”
“I’ll come with you.” Hero got up to follow her.
“Wait for me.” Laura hopped up as well.
“We’ll just fill in the rest of the seats,” Melody said, inching around the table to take the free chair next to Will. She sent Casey a smile and a wink in greeting as she did.
Casey covered her mouth with her hand, eyes dancing with laughter, as she pretended not to notice what Melody was doing.
“There aren’t really enough chairs at the table,” Dennis pointed out as he got up to get his food too. “It’s meant for ten.”
“We can make eleven work,” Melody said, grinning at Will.
“Excuse me,” Will muttered as he got up to follow the others to the buffet line.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Melody giggled. “I think I make him nervous.”
“I know you make him nervous,” Scott agreed, chuckling. He stood. “Do you want me to fix you a plate so you can stay and discuss Will’s demise with your friends?” he asked Casey.
“Yes, please,” Casey answered, all sunshine and light. “The chicken looks good, and whatever that beet salad is.”
Scott bent down to give her a kiss, then strode off to join the others.
“So are you trying to bring about Will’s demise?” Casey asked as soon as he was gone.
Melody shrugged and cut into her quiche with the side of her fork. “Not really. I’d love to go out with him, but he seems shy.”
“He’s regimented,” Casey said. “Scott tells me he’s the most efficient, productive member of the team, and that if they grow the way he thinks they will, he’s going to recommend Will for a promotion to assistant team leader.”
“Good for Will,” Sandy commented from across the table. “You know how to pick them, Mel.”
“Yes, well, it remains to be seen if he’s going to let me pick anything.” She glanced across the room to where Will was standing in line. Will’s back was military straight, even though they were at a social event, surrounded by good food and excellent company, and about to talk about a fun event that would involve them all. Her imagination ran wild, thinking of all the reasons why he would be so stodgy at such a young age. He couldn't have been more than early thirties.
“Uh oh, here comes trouble.”
Rita’s comment shook her out of her reverie. She turned along with the others to the planetarium’s doors. The Bonnevilles had arrived. Richard Bonneville was looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, as usual. Ronny Bonny wore the smug grin that seemed a perpetual feature on his face. He was already scanning the room, no doubt looking for Sandy. His sisters, Katrina and Ellie stood on either side of him, occupying the spaces that his minions, Tony and Mark usually did. Ellie showed all the signs of a spoiled teenager who had been dragged to an event against her will, but Katrina scanned the room with a hopeful look that almost made Melody feel sorry for her.
No, she did feel sorry for Katrina. It must have sucked to be stuck in such a rotten family.
“Duck, Sandy,” Casey whispered, followed with a giggle. “He’s looking this way.”
“Oh, Lord,” Sandy mumbled. She twisted in her chair, turning her back to Ronny, and holding out her hand to the first person to cross behind her, a bewildered-looking Indian guy. “Hi, I’m Sandy, and you are?”
“Uh…” The Indian guy looked behind him and from side to side as though Sandy must be talking to someone else. He wore a button-up shirt that was buttoned all the way up and topped off with a plaid bowtie. “Joginder Sandhu,” he answered, breaking into an awkward smile and taking Sandy’s hand. “But you can call me Jogi.”
Melody shared a look with Calliope, then burst into laughter. But the ploy served its purpose. Ronny and his sisters got into line at the buffet without Ronny spotting Sandy.
Within a few minutes, the others had returned to the table with food. An eleventh chair was found, and they all wedged in around the table. They were packed tight, but Melody didn’t mind sitting shoulder to shoulder with Will one tiny bit. Sandy let Jogi go and joined the conversation. The table was filled with laughter and smiles, and a feeling of friendship and togetherness that made Melody proud to be Haskellian. Even Will seemed to loosen up by the barest of threads.
She and Calliope were halfway through an explanation of their game when the sound of a knife clinking on a glass grabbed everyone’s attention. The room instantly hushed as Howie got up from his table near the front of the room and headed to a small podium.
“Is this on?” he said into a microphone. “Not that I really need it if it isn’t.”
Everyone laughed. Chairs were turned so people could see Howie, and for a moment, the delicious meal was abandoned.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Howie began. “I’d like to welcome you to PSF today. Let’s have a round of applause for the excellent chefs of Haskell Catering who put together this feast.”
Applause filled the room. The head chef, a woman named Rebecca Standish, who Melody had known since childhood, nodded and smiled in appreciation.