He laughs. He actually laughs. Like he’s enjoying this.
The only thing I can think to do is make more noise.
Chapter Forty-Two
I’M IN THE RESTAURANT wrapping up the weekly bar order. No one’s happy when we’re out of beer or wine. I’m thankful for the distraction because I’m still replaying the fight with Ivy.
She was so pissed. She didn’t even know what the missed calls were for but immediately found a way for it to be my fault.
She hasn’t texted me. And I haven’t texted her. This can’t be the last time we speak before she leaves… right? I didn’t think she’d say thank you for the flowers, but I thought she’d at least acknowledge them.
My breath hitches when I realize I don’t know what day she’s leaving. It could be today. This can’t be it.
When I check the last item off on my list, I go to leave for my office, but before I can get out of the restaurant, I hear something.
It sounds like someone is knocking. Maybe on the wall? The music in the restaurant drowns out some of it. But it doesn’t sound like your typical kid kicking the table or booth when they’re eating. This place is also dead.
I’m immediately curious. What is that? It’s not sporadic and I can hear it getting louder as I walk towards the room off the restaurant. Is it coming from the meeting room?
I turn the corner and immediately know something isn’t right. Thereare two people, it looks like a man and a woman. The man’s back is to me and he’s pressing her into the wall. It almost looks like they’re hooking up, but I can’t tell.
This is awkward. I don’t want to break up anyone’s make-out session but this is a public place. The woman whimpers and turns her face to the side.
Ivy.
His hand pins one of hers above her head. She’s struggling. Her elbow is repeatedly banging into the wall. That’s what I heard.
My brain can’t string together a set of words but it has no problem moving my body. I grab the man’s shoulders, and pull him off her, my hands clasping the front of his shirt. Adrenaline runs through my body.
It’s Royce. Fucking loser. He must not have heard me come in.
“What the hell are you doing?” His voice is gruff, and his hands come to mine on his shirt.
The balls on this guy.
“You first. What the fuck areyoudoing?” I shake him with my hands.
He has this dumbfounded look on his face.
“Talking. Ivy and I were talking,” he pants. He looks disheveled.
I look for Ivy and see she’s backed up all the way into the corner of the room. She’s visibly shaken. Tears stain her face.
“You had your hands on her. You definitely weren’t talking and you know that. Don’t fucking lie to me.”
“It was a business meeting that doesn’t concern you,” he says while leaning in, getting closer to me. “In a room that I paid for. I’m a guest.”
I walk him a few steps backward.
“No, you’re not. Pack your shit and leave the premises.”
I let him go and he stumbles backwards.
“You can’t throw me out—”
“Yes, I can. I should’ve thrown you out when you were drunk offyour ass at your corporate event the other night. Fucking out of control.”
“Ivy, tell him it’s fine.” He says it like the bully he is. He looks around me to try to get her attention. She’s practically cowering.
