Even though the music is playing loudly through the speakers, a few people sitting around us give us wary looks as Mae’s tone progressively grows louder. Hearing her say it out loud makes it sound even worse than it does in my head.
“Please tell me you’re not planning on forgiving that asshole.”
“Hell no.” I shake my head. No way, no how am I going through all of that again. “We’re done.”
“Good.”
“Let’s just hope he gets the memo.” I slide my finger along the rim of my glass. “He’s been trying to call me non-stop, to the point that I had to block him.”
“You think he might give you issues?”
“I don’t know. He’s been pretty insistent. He even sent me flowers at work!”
Mae’s brows shoot up. “Damien? Flowers?”
“That was my reaction too. The note said ‘From the first time I saw you, you took my breath away.’I think he’s trying to get back into my good graces. He always does this after we have a fight. He’s extra sweet and attentive, although flowers are a first.” Our interaction at the café pops in my mind. “Well, if you don’t count the ones he tried to give me when he offered to pay for my coffee the other day.”
Mae’s face darkens. “That’s because he’s a master manipulator on top of being a narcissist.”
I run my hand over my face, feeling exasperated. “Maybe I should have broken it off months ago and?—”
Mae places her hand over mine. “This is not on you,” she says decisively. “His behavior isn’t your fault. Telling somebody you’re calling it off should be enough.”
It should be, but Damien has never been one to take “no” easily. He’s charming when he wants to be, pulling me in with his sweet words and a half smile that shows off the dimple in his cheek. He was relentless in pursuing me, even though I wasn’t really sure I wanted something serious when we met, but I couldn’t resist his sweet-talking. Maybe that should have been my first red flag.
A sense of unease has icy tingles running down my spine.
Blinking, my gaze meets sharp dark eyes staring at me from across the room.
Damien.
He’s talking to a group of his work buddies as they enter the bar, but his eyes are glued to me, and even from afar I can see a predatory gleam that makes my stomach twist in discomfort.
Before I can look away, Aiden steps in front of me, cutting him from my view.
“Hey, Jessy! I didn’t realize you were here.” A teasing smile plays on his lips as he glances at Mae. “We always have to fight her to get her to come with us after a shift.”
“Because I’m usually beat by then. What are you doing here?”
Aiden shrugs. “Just waiting on some buddies, so I figured I’d say hi.”
Loud voices draw our attention—everybody’s attention, really—as they pass by. They’re rowdy, self-centered, and clearly had a few drinks before coming over, and are already well on their way to getting drunk.
Damien’s eyes narrow on Aiden before they shift to me, and I can see the muscle in his jaw tic in annoyance as he goes out of his way to bump his shoulder into Aiden’s as he walks by him.
“What an asshole,” Mae mutters, glaring after them.
I shoot Aiden an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.” Aiden offers me a reassuring smile. “I don’t really think your boyfriend likes me.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” Mae corrects, and lifts her glass. “Amen to that.”
Aiden’s brows shoot up in surprise. “Really? Well, I guess that explains a lot.”
“Apparently, it makes him even more of an asshole.” I grab my drink, downing the rest of it in one go. “Hopefully, he’ll give up soon.”
Mae’s expression turns dark. “Guys like him don’t give up just because you tell them to.”
