“Thank you, have a good night,” the hostess called as Mano pushed past her.
“Wait!” Ody called, catching up on the sidewalk.
“Get out of my way.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. I want to know you. If you let me,” Ody said, blocking him again.
Mano walked past him.
Ody stepped in front of him. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s my bad. I don’t have the right to pry.”
“No, I don’t feel good!” Mano finally burst out, his voice cracking. “The gym, the music, the girls… none of it fills the void. I’m all alone! Happy now?” Mano’s jaw clenched as he struggled to steady his breathing.
Ody stepped closer and wrapped his arms around him in a firm, grounding hug. Mano froze, his eyes widening at the sudden warmth pressed against him.
“You’re not alone anymore,” Ody whispered.
Mano pushed him away, but their eyes locked again. Something in him faltered.
“Come on. I’ll take you home,” Ody said.
They walked back to the car, neither saying a word. The drive was quiet, the only sound the low hum of the radio filling the space between them. They pulled up outside Mano’s building in Papagou, and he unbuckled his seat belt, ready to get out.
“Hold on,” Ody said, reaching out and gently stopping him by the forearm. “I don’t want us to leave things like this. Can we just pretend the last five minutes at the restaurant didn’t happen?”
Mano gave him a cynical look. “Can you turn back time?”
“No, but…” Ody hesitated, searching for words. His gaze met Mano’s for a moment.
Mano bit his lip and looked away. “Forget it. It’s nothing.” His hand closed around the door handle, but he paused when Ody spoke again.
“I’m worried about Kash.”
“You’re worried about that jerk? After everything he did to you—”
“No.” Ody looked at him steadily. “I’m worried about you.”
Mano stilled.
“He said if he sees you with Stella, he’ll…”
“It’s over with Stella.”
Ody blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I ended it. I’m not seeing her again.”
“Why?”
“Because I never wanted to get involved with her in the first place. I only did it to help her deal with her ex. And because she was blackmailing me. With how things are now, there’s no point in continuing.”
Ody’s eyebrows rose. “How did she take it?”
“Like last time. I doubt she’ll leave me alone.”
“Do you think she’ll use the photos to blackmail you again?”
“Let her try and she’ll regret it,” Mano said, a sharp edge in his voice.
