But Drew knows. Sara has to be serious with him. She wouldn’t do that with just any guy. She doesn’t use guys the way I use women to try to get over her.
This should be for the better. Sara’s moving on. She’s finding someone who’s free to love her the way she deserves.
I should be happy for her, but my insides roil like a stormy ocean. I toss back the rest of my drink.
“We’re leaving.” I can’t be here anymore. I can’t watch her be happy with another man.
“Someone’s anxious to get to dessert.” Talia smiles and grabs her clutch.
“You’re going home alone.” Standing, I pull her chair out.
“But, you said...” Her red lips press into a line. Her bright blue eyes narrow on me. Her disappointment clear.
I’m done playing with her. This should’ve never happened. I should’ve never asked her out again. I could tell her this is a me-not-you thing. The woman I’m obsessed with is moving on and I can’t handle it.
“I need to use the ladies’ first.” She strolls off to the bathroom before I can stop her.
I shouldn’t have responded to Talia’s text, but with Sara in the office, without Tom, is too much of a temptation. She works quietly and doesn’t beg for my attention, but I can feel her there. Just out of reach but so fucking close.
Lowering into my chair, I pull out my phone. Maybe I’ll call Talia a car. It would be easier than dealing with her octopus arms when I drop her off. When I get home, I’ll drink myself into a stupor so I don’t feel anything.
“Hey.” Drew gestures to a chair at my table, like we’re fucking friends. Not like he’s my worst nightmare.
I nod, because otherwise everyone will wonder why I’m snubbing Drew Young. Fucking gossipmongers.
“No hard feelings, right?” Drew leans back in the chair like he has every right to be with Sara. The thing that really pisses me off is, he does.
“About what?” My scotch glass is empty so I take a sip of my water, feigning nonchalance when I want to throttle this man for taking what’s mine.
“Making your girl come when you can’t touch her.” Drew glances toward the bathroom door. “She’s still not over you.”
“What are you hoping to accomplish?” I lean my elbows on the table and glare at him. He’s like a used car salesman in a nicer suit. Sara deserves better than him and better than me.
“That you’ll recognize what an ass you are.” Drew’s devil-may-care smile slips and his eyes drill into me. “You didn’t see her when she realized you were here. With a date.”
“She wasn’t supposed to be here.” Not that it mattered that she was.
“It’s like all the happiness died inside her.” He ignores my statement. His eyes soften as he looks toward the bathroom again. “You did that. You took away the brightness from her pretty green eyes, so I gave it back to her.”
Fire blazes inside me, knowing he’s had his fingers on my girl—fuck—Sara. She’s not mine. But I’ve been taught not to react in public. So I narrow my eyes on him and wait until I have his full attention. “Sara is?—”
I can’t fucking say it. I can’t say that Sara isn’t mine. She is and always will be, no matter who puts a ring on her finger and claims her as his own. She’ll always be mine.
“The best thing that’s happened to me, man.” Drew grins. “I want to give her everything she desires.”
My brows furrow because I’m not sure he just means sexually. “She deserves the best.”
Drew nods. “I couldn’t agree more. When you realize what she actually needs, call me.”
He tosses a black card on the table before me. A number is printed in gold.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out sooner or later.” Drew nods. “Or you could just ask her. She’s an honest woman and doesn’t hide her feelings. I like that about her.”
I make a noncommittal noise as I tuck his card into my suit jacket. It might be useful to have.
Drew leans in close. His words only loud enough for me. “Stop fucking things up though. That Barbie doll you paraded in here can’t be what you want. But you know that hurts her, don’t you?”
“Sara wasn’t supposed to be here.” I glare at him.
