Page 125 of Unleashed

Ferrera pulls up to the curb, parking behind me. We get out of our cars, and he grins at me. “Gregorio. What’s up? I’d ask you how it’s hanging, but Simone already tested that out earlier.”

I roll my eyes as he claps my shoulder, and we walk. “Highpoint of my day.” I try to sound sarcastic, but I end up sounding truthful.

He nods toward the red brick building with the white, scrolled frames adorning the windows. “How’d you find this place?”

We stop at the alley to check for cars and then cross. “Hadley brought me here twice for lunch.”

Nico nods. “Just you and her?”

I shrug as I pull open the door. “Mostly.” When we walk inside, spicy spaghetti sauce greets us before the hostess. It’s an old place with wood-paneled walls, coppery-looking ceilings, and grayish linoleum. The place is about the size of my old apartment. We’re shown to our booth, and the wooden benches creak as we each slide into them like they’re about to collapse, but they never do. He orders a bottle of Yuengling and I order a bottle of Modelo. I set my phone face down on the table so I’m not obsessing over a non-issue.

We look at the menus, though I already know what I want. Ferrera scans his and asks, “What do you recommend?”

“That you pick something.” He frowns at me, and I snort. “They’re all good.”

When the beers arrive, I order the lasagna while Ferrera opts for spaghetti. I take a swig of my beer and relax against the back of the bench. Unlike at the club last night, it’s nice to sit in relative peace, drink a beer with a friend, and not worry that he’ll spike it when I’m not looking. I’m almost sure.

Ferrera looks around the room as I recheck my phone, but nothing from...anyone. His brown eyes land on me, and I ask, “What’s this date all about, anyway?”

He shrugs, reaching for his beer. “Just wanted to talk. See how you’re holding up.”

“With?” I look at the table so he doesn’t read my face.

“Come on, Rodwell. You know what I’m talking about. Where’s your wedding ring, by the way?”

I mutter, “Shit,” as I glance at my naked left ring finger. “It’s in my duffel bag.”

“Shouldn’t you wear it around your father-in-law?”

“He’s not my father-in-law.” I bite my lip as I look out the window. “I guess he used to be.”

When I look back at Ferrera, he nods. “Right. Because you and Simone were really married.” I nod but don’t elaborate on it. “She ended it because...?”

“She didn’t need me anymore.”

“But she does now?”

“I don’t know. Not really, but I insinuated myself into her life again to make it harder for her to deal with her father.” My plan is backfiring spectacularly.

“Why would you do that?” Ferrera smirks before taking a drink.

I shrug. “I refused to let Simone break up with me again so her father wouldn’t think it was a scam. If he had found out we aren’t married, he’d yank all her school funding and other money. He’s a dick.”

He sighs. “Greg, how could she break up with you if you weren’t a couple?”

I try to avoid answering by chugging almost half of my beer. Unfortunately, Ferrera waits for me to answer him. Setting down the bottle, I clear my throat and glare at him. “Why are you asking me all these questions?”

Ferrera leans over the table more. “Because to me, it’s so fucking clear.”

Thankfully, our dinners arrive, and I waste no time shoveling it into my mouth. We eat for a few minutes in peace until Ferrera nods. “Damn. This is fantastic.”

“See? I know a few things.”

I pick up my beer and take a sip as Ferrera says, “Like how you pretend to hate Simone when you’re in love with her?”

I splutter my beer but swallow it before coughing. I shake my head. “What the fuck, Ferrera?”

“I sees what I sees,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve known you had it bad for her for a while now. Sorry.” When I just gawk at him, he takes a bite of his garlic bread before saying, “I put together every interaction between you and Simone and noticed a pattern. You can’t fucking take your eyes off Simone, and you argue with her because you’ll take that over not talking to her at all. It was easy, really.”

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