Myles looks up from his laptop, as if sensing my anxiety, and a line forms on his brow. “You okay?”
“No,” I mutter, turning back as the little bell rings again and Mark and Mel enter the store. When I spot Stevie in Mel’s arms my stomach lurches, and I quickly pry her away.
“Hi, Cat,” she says, handing the leash over. “How are you?”
I hold Stevie against my chest and glower at Mel. “I’m just dandy. How are you?”
“I’m great, too.” Her dark eyes spark. “We’regreat, aren’t we, Mark?”
Mark stuffs his hands into the pockets of his black jeans. “Great,” he mumbles.
Mel and I stare at each other for a moment, neither of us willing to back down, the air crackling with tension.
Myles stands from his stool beside me, extending a hand. “Hi, I’m Myles.”
I glare at him. You see, the thing about Mel is, she’s beautiful. Like model, movie-star beautiful. Long, silky dark hair, full lips, perfect cheekbones. She’s naturally slim and tall, always dressed immaculately. These things never bothered me when we were friends; I always admired her sense of style and how down-to-earth she was, despite her beauty.
Except she wasn’t down-to-earth. I was just stupid.
And now, her beauty really bothers me. Not because I feel threatened—because I don’t—but because she doesn’t deserve to be so beautiful on the outside when she’s so hideous on the inside.
This is all lost on Myles, though, who apparently can’t help but introduce himself.
“Mel,” she coos in response, taking his hand.
I narrow my eyes as she gives him a simpering smile. It takes all my strength not to thump her. When her gaze swivels back to me, her smile turns plain malicious and my eyes become slits.
Myles clears his throat. Mark shifts his weight. I look at the two of them, standing side-by-side. God, they’re so similar. Everything from their hairstyle, to their ripped jeans, to their armful of tattoos. And the bartending thing. Hell—even their names are similar.
“Well, anyway,” I say at last, setting Stevie down. I watch as Myles crouches down to pet her, then sits back on his stool, returning to his laptop. I turn back to the others. “It was justlovelyto see you two, but I’ve got work to do.”
“Of course,” Mark says.
Mel slides her hand into his, not taking her eyes off me. “We’ll see you soon,” she says, then pauses. “That is, if you’re still in business.”
And before I can say anything in response, she pulls Mark toward the door. I clench my jaw so hard I nearly break a tooth. IknewMel was behind the rent hike; I knew she was trying to hurt me.
I wheel back toward the counter and raise my eyes to the ceiling. “Hi, I’m Myles,” I say in a mocking tone. “Very subtle, Myles. Trust me, you donotwant to get involved with her.”
“That’s not why I introduced myself.” Amusement crinkles his forehead. “It was super awkward and I was trying to break the tension.”
“Oh.”
“What was that all about?”
“She used to be one of my best friends. Before… Mark.”
“Is Mel the reason you got divorced?”
“No. We got divorced for many other reasons. I don’t know all their names.” I smirk bitterly. “But… she knew me when Mark cheated, when I went through the divorce. Then a few years later, she started seeing him behind my back. What kind of friend does that?”
Myles grimaces.
“And she also… She’s the reason I’m in debt. She said she’d help me out with some business and totally screwed me.” Oof. I don’t knowwhyI’m telling him all this.
“Shit.” He frowns and begins to say something more, but cuts himself off with a shake of his head, looking back down at his laptop.
I sigh. “What?”
