Chapter 6
I was there to pick someone up that night.]
Pouring rain–my hair was soaked by the time I got inside.
Looked up and locked eyes with him.]
His drink glass trembled, a drop spilling onto his hand.
“Long time no see.”
Blake’s voice was rough.
Before I could answer, warm arms pulled me close.
“Babe, I told you not to drive in this mess.”
Adrian pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing at my wet hair.
Everything stopped after that
Blake looked away, went back to his drink.
His phone started buzzing.
He frowned, declined the call
It rang again. Still ignored.]]
Someone laughed. “Bro, better answer before your wife shows up and kicks all our asses.”
So he was married too.
Ten years–of course he had
Just didn’t expect it to be Vivian.[]
When Vivian burst in, her eyes found mine immediately.]
Her frown twisted into a vicious smile, like a predator spotting prey.[]
“Well, well. If it isn’t our old classmate Zara Bell, still slumming it as a waitress after all these years?‘||
Everyone went quiet.]]
Adrian frowned. “You two know each other?“]]
I nodded, flashing a gentle smile,
“Ms. Reed’s mistaken. I’m not working–just picking up my husband.“]
“Husband?”
She looked at Adrian.
Face went sour real quick.
Because he was gorgeous, polished–made college Blake look like amateur hour.]
She sat down looking bitter.[]
Snatched Blake’s glass away. “Thought we were trying to conceive? No booze, remember?”
Said to Blake, but her eyes stayed on me.
Classic Vivian, always looking for ways to twist the knife.[]
When I didn’t react, she got more pissed.[]
Turned to Adrian with a smirk. “So Zara, whatever happened to that baby you were carrying?”
The room went dead silent.[]
“Lost it.”
“On the way home.”
I said it like I was discussing the weather.
“Aw, tragic. Wonder which of your three baby daddies took it hardest?”
“Enough”
“Ms. Reed!”
Adrian and Blake both exploded at her.
Tension crackled through the air.
Vivian hurled her glass at the wall, whirling on Blake, “Her husband defending her, fine–but why the hell are YOU still taking her sider
She stormed out. Blake didn’t chase her.]]
He turned to Adrian with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that. My wife was completely inappropriate.“Then he left too.[]
The whole time, he couldn’t bring himself to look at me.]
After Blake bailed, everyone started talking
“How the hell did Blake end up with that psycho bitch?
Someone chimed in: “You don’t know? she nursed him through like himself without her.”
five u
years of clinical depression. Guy would’ve offed
“Sounds like a debt without love. Always heard Blake had some first love he never got over.”
