Page 79 of No One But Us

On the way out of the house that afternoon, Martin stops me, making me wish I’d gone in with James when his shift started instead of petulantly insisting I’d walk. I’ve only seen Martin from afar since the incident, but he has picked the wrong day to fuck with me, if that’s hisplan.

“Thanks for getting me disinvited to all the parties,” hesays.

“After the shit you pulled, you really think anyone wants you overhere?”

“It was worth it. I’m enjoying your panties verymuch.”

“It was a bathing suit, not panties,” I reply, turning away. “Shocker that you don’t know thedifference.”

My mood was already piss-poor. After the incident with Martin and the walk to work, it’s shifted into something far worse. I get into the restaurant, sweaty and miserable. James watches me log in, and I ignore him. I spend the rest of the night giving all of my orders to the other bartenders. I know it’s childish, but I just feel like I could fall apart at the drop of a hat. Or at a single word from James’ mouth, even a kind one. Especially a kindone.

“What’s up with you two?” asksKristy.

“We’re having a littledisagreement.”

“Aboutwhat?”

“James…” I begin, and then shake my head, suddenly choked up. “Just doesn’t see things with us the way Ido.”

She frowns. “I don’t know what he said, but it’s been obvious since your first day here that he’s crazy aboutyou.”

“If that were true he’d be willing to...” My voice cracks. “I just can’t believe…” I’m unable to continue, and she lets itgo.

This is what I would havesaid:

I can’t believe I didn’t see itsooner.

Chapter 47

ELLE

The copwe met earlier in the day leaves a message during my shift saying counsel won’t have an answer on the restraining order for a fewdays.

Ginny’s back from her trip when I get home. I kind of wish she wasn’t. I don’t really have it in me to feign good cheer at themoment.

“You okay?” she asks, frowning at me in themirror.

“Yeah,” I say, struggling tosmile.

She hesitates. “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with since the weekend Allison was here. I’msorry.”

“You think I’m like my parents,” I sayflatly.

“I don’t,” she insists. “Really. I just...let’s just say Allison stirred up some shit, okay? But I’msorry.”

“Okay.”

“So are you excited to seeRyan?”

“No, not particularly. Are you excited to seePaul?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “I have no idea what you’re talkingabout.”

“You’re aware that seeing him on stage isn’t going to make him seemlessattractive to you,right?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure I was all that attracted to him in the first place. I was just looking for a substitute, and he was the first one Ifound.”

“ForAlex?”

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