Page 62 of The Art Of Starting Over

“Chad has a way of making it seem like he’s the only one who should matter.”

Laila’s eyes widened. “Did he pursue her?”

Devy shrugged. “I don’t know. We didn’t have that sit-down, what-the-hell-happened conversation.”

“Are you going to?” Laila waited a beat before adding, “It might give you some closure. I can be there with you when it happens. You know, in case he gets out of line.”

“Thanks. It’s probably something I need to do—otherwise, I’ll probably wonder what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Laila told her. “Men like him ...” She paused and shook her head. “Don’t let him convince you it was you.”

“I know.”

Another customer came in and sat at the bar. Devorah served him and busied herself for a minute before going back to Laila. The last thing she needed was one of the other staff members saying something to Colt, or her brother seeing her standing around gabbing while on the clock.

After more small talk and some back-and-forth with other customers, Devorah refilled Laila’s glass and asked her if she wanted to order something to eat.

“Honestly, I heard you were working here and wanted to come in and apologize for my behavior.”

“Heard? This is literally my first day.” Devorah tossed her hands in the air. “Which Cathy told you?”

“No Cathy; it was Link.”

“Link Blackburn?” It took Devorah a minute to remember where she’d seen Link’s name earlier. “He’s building Hayden’s house. I saw him earlier when I took lunch over.”

Laila nodded and smiled happily. “Link’s my husband. We married a year after graduation.”

“I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Ah, don’t be. We divorced five years later and didn’t speak to each other for two years, and then got remarried. He’s a pain in my ass, but he’s my pain and I love him. No kids. We never really wanted any. So, tell me ...” Laila leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Hayden McKenna. Are you guys together because ...” She leaned back andfanned her face. “You go, girl! There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting yours, especially with a fine-ass man like Hayden.”

She didn’t know how Laila managed to do it, but she made her feel not only at ease and welcome, but like they were back in high school again and having one of their many sleepovers to discuss the boys in school.

“Hayden and I are friends. Nothing more.”

Laila shook her head back and forth, all sassy-like, while saying, “Nope, nope, nope. I am not buying it. Not this time. There’s a reason he’s here and you’re here. Get. Your. Man.” Laila banged her hand on the bar to emphasize each word.

Devorah laughed and excused herself to help fill some drink orders the servers had sent in. While she and Hayden had kissed, she wasn’t ready to admit there was anything going on between them. Mostly because she worried about how people would perceive her, and she was afraid her heart wasn’t where it should be. Not to mention, if they were even going to go down the path of dating, they’d have to have a serious conversation about their past. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Hayden or let herself become heartbroken again. They both deserved better.

When Devorah finally made it back to Laila, she had finished her drink. “Another?”

“If it means we can still talk, yes.”

Dev took the glass, emptied it, and refilled it with ice and Diet Coke. Before taking the soda back to Laila, she placed an order for nachos. Laila might as well munch on something while they chatted.

After setting the soda down, Devorah worked on a few more orders and then went to the kitchen to get the food she’d ordered. Back at the bar, she set the nachos down in front of Laila, along with two side plates and a stack of napkins.

“They’re messy but delicious,” Devy said. “At least that’s what Colt says.”

“Haven’t eaten here much?” Laila added to her plate a scoopful of the tortillas, topped with queso, chicken, bean, cheese, and lettuce.

“Honestly, I can’t tell you the last time I ate finger foods. Chad isn’t a fan. They’re beneath him.”

“He’s such a—”

“Entitled prick?” Devorah blanched at her word vomit and covered her mouth while Laila cackled. “I don’t know where that came from.”

“I know we’ve just reconnected, but I feel like this is that first over-the-hump moment when you realize your ex isn’t good for you.”

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