Page 207 of Finding Hope

I won’t ever be able tounseeit.

Reaching across my table, I take Evie’s shoulder and shove her forward. “Go. Now.”

The girls walk with their ice-cream cups in their hands, napkins falling to the floor – since they picked up about five hundred more than we needed.

I collect the fallen napkins in their wake, and I silently give myself a desperately needed pep talk.

Don’t look at them. Don’t look at them. Don’t look. Do. Not. Look. You don’t need to watch Bambie eat ice-cream from another man’s mouth.

We have to pass within a few feet of the loved-up couple to get out the front door. Which means I passed that close to them on the way in.

Three feet.

I could reach out and touch her, if only I was brave enough to go the final three feet.

But I’m not brave. Not even a little bit.

I silently vow that I won’t look. I swear to only walk by. I mentally deny myself even a single peek out of the corner of my eyes, but like the glutton for punishment, I’m desperate for the smallest glimpse of her.

Just one look.

One glimpse.

One second to beg for her to choose me.

But when I find a bottle-blonde woman instead of Britt’s dark silk, I have Luc out of his booth and against the wall with my elbow at his windpipe in half a second.

The blonde squeals, and my nieces stop with white faces.

“You better not be stepping out on Bambie.” I lean in close to his face. “I’llkillyou for hurting her.”

His hands come up to pry mine away. “What the hell are you talking about, Reilly? Get the fuck off me!”

I don’t move. I don’t let him go. “Where is she?”

“Who?”

“Bambie!”

“I don’t know!” he snaps back, braver than he should, considering the venom that courses through my blood. “I thought we were cool! I didn’t do anything to you!”

“You’re datingmygirlfriend! You’re cheating onmygirlfriend.” I lean in closer. “You hurt her, you die.”

“I’m not cheating on anyone!” He tries to shove me back. “I’m not dating anyone.”

“Hey!” Forgetting her squealing terror, the blonde pops her hip. “You’re dating me!”

Luc’s face drains white. He attempts to turn to her, but I refuse him even an inch of freedom. “I didn’t mean you, baby. I’m dating you.” He looks back to me. “I’m dating her.” He winks at me. Literally fucking winks. “We’re exclusive and everything.”

I dig my elbow into his windpipe. “No. You’re dating Bambie.”

“No,” he argues back. “I’m not! And for the record, I grew up with Britt. Bambie just sounds weird. Dude, use her real name. You giveeveryonethe creeps when you say Bambie.”

“Who’s Britt?” Blondie asks angrily. “You better not be screwing around on me, Luca! I waited for you. I gave you another chance. I won’t let you screw me over.”

“I’m not, babe. I swear.” He turns back to me. “Let me the fuck go. I didn’t do anything wrong, and your little girlfriends are freaking out.”

I look over to Evie and Bean. They do look a little scared.Shit.

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