Page 139 of The Heart You Kept

“What now?” I snap.

“Pascal has joined Alora for dinner.”

I inhale sharply as the sky turns apocalyptic red. “Put. Her. On. The. Phone.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

ALORA

“And then I went to look at the apartment but it wasn’t anywhere near what was advertised,” Pascal continues as he sips his wine.

I catch my bottom lip with my teeth as I glance around, Pascal has settled right in as if we are old friends. I couldn’t leave because I had already ordered and I had to stay and eat my dinner, but there is a giant elephant in the room as to why he is hanging around.

We are no longer together, and yet here he is acting exactly like he did when we were? He’s talking about old stories and telling me all about what he’s been doing lately and it’s been nice to see him, and I mean, I don’t want to be rude. He is a lovely man who I care a great deal for, but I would rather he just come out and say what he wants to say instead of acting as if we are long-lost friends.

Philippe appears through the restaurant. “Hello, Miss Sorenson.”

What the hell is Edward’s guard still doing here? I thought they left this morning. I glance around, wait, is he here?

Philippe passes me the phone as his eyes hold mine. “You have a phone call, Alora.”

What the hell?

“I have to take this; I’ll be back in a moment,” I tell Pascal as I get up and walk out into the foyer. “Hello.”

“What the fuck are you doing!” Edward bellows, nearly bursting my eardrum. I hold the phone away from my ear.

“Excuse me?” I glance around and head out the front door of the hotel into the street. “Where are you?”

“Monaco.”

“So why is Philippe still here?” I demand.

“Keeping an eye on you. Why the fuck is Pascal there? You told me you broke up.”

“Do not speak to me like that, Edward. I won’t have it,” I whisper angrily.

“Then do not disobey me because I won’t have that.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I whisper angrily. “I bumped into him. It was a complete coincidence.”

“Like hell,” he yells. “There is nothing coincidental about this.”

I screw up my face in disbelief, what the fuck is this guy on?

“Since when do I have to do as you say, Edward, we aren’t together.”

“Last night it was a male escort and tonight it’s your fucking ex,” he bellows as he completely loses control.

“Stop yelling like a lunatic.” From my peripheral vision I see Philippe walk out behind me and I turn on him like the devil. “Go inside,” I snap, annoyed.

He holds both hands up as if surrendering but doesn’t move.

Fucker.

“You are purposely trying to piss me off,” Edward growls through the phone.

“Keep yelling and I am hanging up on you.”