MATT
The three of us arrive at Finlay’s with a security detail behind us. The pub’s not packed, but it is buzzing with the influx of people coming in after work.
We walk over to a booth, and Nate takes a seat. As Alex walks off to the bar to grab us some drinks, I smirk. Nate still looks shell-shocked at today’s events. Sliding in next to him, he’s quiet and staring at his hands on the table. Nate’s been so distant since Zaria left him. I know he’s hurting. She was good for him, and they didn’t part on good terms—I’m still not sure why they ended it completely.
“Nate,” I murmur.
He looks up and fakes a smile. “Mmm…”
“You doing okay?”
He fake smiles again and nods. “Yeah, it’s been a big day. Would’ve liked to have been able to call Ria. Tell her how the opening went…” there’s a small pause, “… but I can’t.”
Frowning, I exhale. I’ve seen Nate torn up over girls before, but never like this. Mainly, it’s because they were a good lay but not much more. He never actually liked them and truly missed them. This is different because he cares about her… a lot.
It’s now evident how much Zaria’s leaving has affected him. He’s had such an outstanding day at the gallery, yet Nate’s still miserable.
“Bro, what’s stopping you from telling her? Just because you broke up doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. Right?”
He shakes his head. “I sent her our customary emoji message a few days ago, but I’ve heard nothing back. She doesn’t wantto talk to me. If she did, she would’ve replied. We’re done.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “At least I get Alex in the breakup.”
We both look up and watch Alex walking over, showing skill and precision while carrying three huge pints of Guinness in her tiny hands.
“I’m a Guinness glass goddess, bitches. No one’s got skills like this girl. Am I right? Holla,” Alex exclaims, placing the glasses down on the table and then raising her hands in the air like she’s praising herself.
Nate rolls his eyes, and I grin before she picks up a glass and takes a long drink, the head from the beer smearing and leaving a white trail on her upper lip. For a second, a brief moment, something in me wants to lick it off. I open my eyes wide, wondering what the fuck that’s about, when she pulls the glass down, her tongue darts out and swipes her upper lip as she giggles.
“Man, I love the frothy part.” She laughs, and it makes my insides shudder.
What the hell is it with this chick?
“You’re in a pub surrounded by men and talking about frothy parts? You’re game, Alex,” I suggest, and she tilts her head.
“Well, maybe I like to live a little dangerously, Matthew.Here’s cheers to thefrothy bits,” she yells the last part loudly, making everyone in the bar turn to look at us. I duck down slightly, but don’t ask me why, as there’s nowhere to hide. Everyone cheers loudly, and Nate chuckles. At least he’s laughing. It’s definitely something he needs to do more.
She takes another long gulp of her stout, smiling at all the men who now have their attention firmly on her. I understand why. She’s beautiful, but she also has an edgier side. One that will always have people looking while judging her in one way or another.
Nate picks up his beer and starts to drink, so I do the same.
“So Natesicles… you have work to do, and I… being the best thing in your life right now…” she smirks, “… need to do my job and sell, sell, sell. We got this,” she proclaims, sliding into the seat and tapping his leg.
“Yeah. I’m gonna put all my spare time into painting more pieces, and with your…” he tilts his head with a sly smirk, “… charm and charisma…” he raises his eyebrows up and down, “… selling my stuff seems to come easy to you.”
She scoffs. “Nate, the paintings do all the work. I just raise the price a bit ’cause, y’know… I’m certified delulu, but it works!” she says with a shit-eating grin.
“What?” Nate scoffs.
She giggles, rolling her eyes. “Relax, I’m joking. Well, except for that one walking ego who thought he was Picasso reborn. I cranked the price, he paid an extra five hundred, and I slept like a baby. Moral of the story? Never doubt my villain era.”
I burst out laughing while Nate shakes his head. “I can’t tell if you’re joking or not,” Nate remarks.
Alex grins, taking another sip of her stout, and shrugs, looking at me with a sly wink.
I’m pretty sure she isn’t.Sly little minx.
“So, Alex, how did you meet an A-lister like Zaria?” I ask.
She swallows hard, and I watch her cocky exterior falter slightly.
