Page 95 of Meet Me at the Metro

Evie must be oblivious to the sudden tension now stirring in the air because the next thing she exclaims is,“Let’s do some shots!”She darts away without sparing either one of us another glance.

I turn to face Connor, whose face flushes with embarrassment. “I amsosorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He forces his gaze to the floor and mumbles, “I think I’m going to head out for the night.”

“What?No, Connor, please don’t. I want you here.”

“I don’t think it’s really good for me to be here…”

“Of course it is. What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s—” He stops speaking mid-sentence as his eyes peer toward the crowded bartop, and his expression goes taut. “I need to go. I-I’m not feeling well.”

“Please, don’t leave mad at me.”

“I’m not mad.”

“If I knew she would say that, I would’ve never told her about what happened in the—”

“I’m not mad. Really. I just—I should go.” He gives me a nod goodbye and moves to head out.

I quickly catch onto his wrist.“Wait.”

“I’ll text you, alright?”

“Connor,” I sigh.

“Maybe we can get together some other time this week. Okay?”

I release my hold on him. “A-alright.”

“Have a drink for me, okay?” Connor smiles wanly.

“Okay.”

A pang of guilt settles in my stomach as I watch him disappear into the entanglement of bodies blocking the way out. I release a weighted breath and attempt to quell my nerves and frustration before going to Evie. However, the second I reach her, I react emotionally.

I spin the seat of her barstool around so that she’s facing me. “What in the actual hell, Evie!Why would you say that to him?”

“What!?What did I say?”

I roll my eyes, annoyed at her cluelessness. “You mentioned the kiss. Why would you do that? He’s never even met you, and that’s the first thing you think to say to him?!”

“I was trying to flirt!”

“Well, that was not a good attempt! You embarrassed him—and me, for that matter!”

“Shit, I wasn’t trying to embarrass anyone.” She looks genuinely afflicted as her gaze skirts along the people around us. “Where’d he go? Did he leave?”

“Yes,” I frown, crossing my arms against my chest. “Probably didn’t feel like being humiliated again tonight.”

“Oh, fuck me. I’ve gone and scared the poor guy away. I’m sorry, Ellie. I wasn’t thinking.”

“I need a drink,” I sigh. In perfect timing, my eyes notice the half-empty Negroni in her hands. I snatch it from her, bring the glass to my lips, and swallow back what remains before she can object.

“Hey! That was mine!”

“You owe me for what you said,” I argue. “And for causing my friend to leave!”

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