We walk across the street to the cafe, and as fate would have it, the woman we’ve been discussing all morning is sitting at a table by the window. Long silky legs crossed as she sips coffee like she’s having breakfast at Tiffany’s and not some small-town cafe that serves average coffee at best.
“That’s her, isn’t it?” Desi whispers loud enough to have me glaring at her. “She’s hot.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.
“Not as hot as you, of course,” she adds.
I scrunch my nose at her in annoyance.
“We can always just grab something at the deli,” Dylan offers.
“No. This is my town, and I won’t be pushed out of a fucking cafe because of Ember,” I hiss.
We sit at a table far enough away, my back to her.
We order beef wraps and fries. I chat with my friends, but I’m acutely aware of her sitting there.
And just when you think nothing can get worse, it does, because when life throws you lemons, it doesn’t bother to add a bottle of tequila to it.
Ember walks into the cafe, and our eyes lock. His obsidian orbs look between the other women and me. I take a deep breath and concentrate on my food.
“Can we talk?” He dares to approach our table.
“Don’t you have a guest waiting for you?” I sneer up at him. I can feel the pressure in my chest and the heat in my ears. If he doesn’t walk away from this table, I’ll fucking lose it.
“Ember, there you are.” Her voice is sugary sweet, sophisticated. “Well, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” She looks us over, her eyes narrowing on Desi and me because obviously, she has no competition with a sexy pregnant woman. “He’s always been at a loss for words at the worst time. I’m Katherine Dale,” she introduces.
“Katherine Dale?” I ask, looking between her and Ember.
“Katherine, could you give me a minute?” he asks.
I shake my head, leaning back in my chair.
She laughs. “Of course, I’ll place our orders.”
He hangs his head.
“Ember, if you wouldn’t mind, we’re in the middle of lunch,” Desi snaps, all friendliness is gone from her voice.
I stare at the street, not willing to look at him. All I can think about is the fact that he lied to me. If it was over between them, why was she here, and why was she still kissing him?
“This is not over,” he demands, and I look up at him, his eyes determined.
“I believe it is, Ember.”
“Not if I can help it.” He runs a hand through his hair and walks away.
“Can we leave?” I ask my friends.
Dylan calls over a server and requests for a takeaway of all our meals.
* * *
Dylan has offeredto take Brody for the day, and all I really want is to sit by the lake, but all I think about is him and the first time he touched me. I hate that this place is now filled with memories of Ember.
I feel him approaching before I hear or see him. “You’re trespassing,” I mouth, not bothering to look at him.
“Then call the cops on me, firefly.”
