Page 118 of Closer

Elliot slides into the seat beside me. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Lil, right? Remember me?”

“Yes. The food guru who saved me from starvation.”

“Glad I could be of service. How did things go with Bash?”

“Great,” I say. “And your mysterious woman?”

“Working on it.”

We order our main courses and another round of drinks. Brandon and Elliot regale us with stories about their new restaurant and the planned launch party.

I peer at the clock on my phone. 8 pm. Sebastian should be home by now. The thought twists my stomach into knots.

My phone buzzes, and I blink twice. Sebastian’s name flashes on the screen. I dig my teeth into my lip. Part of me desperately wants to hear his voice, to have him tell me everything is okay. But another part fears what he might say, that he might confirm my worst suspicions.

It goes to voicemail and, not even a second later, rings again. I hit ignore.

“Everything alright?” Elliot points at my phone.

“Yeah, I—”

The phone rings a third time. “Sorry.” I answer the phone. “Hey.”

“Hey, Lil.” Sebastian’s voice is tight. “You coming home soon?”

I grimace, glancing around the table. They are immersed in their own conversations, but Elliot’s gaze remains fixed on me.

“I don’t know,” I say.

“So what is everybody getting?” Elliot asks.

“Where are you?” Sebastian demands.

I hesitate. “At Sale Moderne. With Mary and—”

“Stay there.”

“Wait—”

Click.

I pull the phone from my ear, staring at the ‘call ended’ screen. Fantastic.

“Who was that?” Mary asks.

“Sebastian. He’s maybe on his way?”

Brandon chuckles. “Oh, he so definitely is.”

Naomi shoots Brandon a look, who holds up his hands in surrender.

I fidget with my napkin, tearing it into tiny pieces.

The conversation carries on around me, but I can barely focus. My eyes keep darting to the door, my stomach churning with equal parts dread and anticipation.

Why is he coming here? Is he going to make a scene? Drag me out like some misbehaving child? Or worse, kick me out of the apartment altogether?

I down the rest of my drink in one gulp, welcoming the burn. I need to go before he shows up. Make a clean getaway. But my limbs feel heavy, weighed down by indecision.

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