Page 93 of Undone

“You literally asked for snacks five minutes ago.” Colt shook his head, smirking as he opened his menu.

“But I was hungry,” she whined.

The door swung open, and a group of teachers strolled in. I recognized a few faces. Miss Lane walked in with a relaxed confidence, even as her eyes darted to Colt the moment they walked in.

“Great,” Colt muttered under his breath, catching sight of his ex. “That’s exactly what I needed tonight.”

She caught our eyes and offered a polite, albeit strained, smile as she made her way toward us. Mr. Harris trailed behind her. I’d never got a good read on the guy and wasn’t sure if I liked him or not.

But I didn’t really like most people, so…

“Well, look who it is,” she said as she approached, her tone chipper but tight. “Dorian.” She nodded at us. “And Gracie!”

Gracie smiled up at her, shy but polite.

“Hi, Miss Lane.”

Colt gave a curt nod, leaning back in his seat, clearly not thrilled by the sudden reunion. “Lana.”

“Colt.” She looked at him for a beat longer, her eyes moving away as Harris caught up. He glanced from me to Colt with a slow, deliberate gaze.

“Mr. Harris,” I greeted, trying to sound casual.

“Dr. James.” He nodded once, then turned to Colt, his eyes lingering a second too long. “Detective.” He nodded.

“We’re just here for dinner,” Colt grunted, clearly not in the mood for small talk.

Lana shifted awkwardly, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she glanced between us. “Well, don’t let us interrupt. Just wanted to say hi.”

“Right,” Colt said, clearing his throat, visibly uncomfortable.

“Enjoy your night.”

There was a beat of silence that stretched just a little too long before Lane gave a tight nod and tugged on Harris’s sleeve.

“Come on, we should go grab our table.”

“See you around,” he finally said, a little too calmly as Lana dragged him away.

After the waitress came by and took our orders, Gracie look to me.

“Miss Lane and Noah are friends now. They eat lunch together sometimes,” Gracie said, looking up at me innocently before returning her focus to coloring.

Colt groaned at her name.

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Come on, man. Don’t tell me you’re still sore over her.”

Colt shot me a deadpan look. “She cheated on me with a guy who owns a beekeeping business. I don’t exactly have fond memories.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Fair enough.” I smirked at Colt’s grumpy response. I leaned back in the booth, crossing my arms. “But are you ever gonna tell me what really happened with her?”

Colt grunted, clearly not thrilled about diving into that particular conversation. He stared hard at the menu, like it held the answers to life’s mysteries. “Nothing to tell. She cheated. End of story.”

I remember several years ago, Colt letting it slip that a girl had gotten under his skin, and ever since, he’s never been the same. I wasn’t sure if that girl was Lana or not, but whoever it was, I was curious about who had been able to crack through his exterior.

“Come on, man. It can’t just be that simple.”

He shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tightening around the edge of the menu before he set it down. “It’s that simple. People don’t change. They do what they’re gonna do, and you move on.” His jaw clenched.

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