Page 52 of Rewind

“Are you sure?” Amina asked. “I feel bad, that you had to witness that but I appreciate the support.”

“Are you kidding me? I haven’t been this entertained in ages. Whew, it was like being in the middle of a soap opera. No offense.” She looked at Jasmine sheepishly.

“None taken.”

“You were awesome in there though.” Paisley gently patted Jasmine on the arm. “Hey, since we didn’t get a chance to eat, how about I take stop for burgers before I drop you off?”

Jasmines seemed to perk up. “I’d actually like that a lot.”

“Great because I’m starving.” Paisley turned to Amina and gave her hug. “I’m so proud of you. I’m glad you’re not marrying that jerk. He was the worst. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Alright. Thanks again for coming. Jasmine, if you need anything at all, please call me.”

Jasmine nodded with a slight smile.

Once Amina was on her own, she checked her phone. There was a text from Ethan.

On my way.

She breathed a sigh of relief knowing that she’d see him soon. Amina was about to send him a text when the sound of angry footsteps drew near.

“Amina! You fucking bitch!”

She turned to see a raging red-faced Mark.

Chapter

Eighteen

Ethan waited anxiously for Amina to get in contact with him when he’d learned she was entering the restaurant. He should have waited in the restaurant parking lot instead of a hotel bar, a couple miles away. As the minutes passed, he grew uneasy.

Amina’s ex was unstable and there was no telling what his reaction would be, once Jasmine showed up, even in a roomful of people.

After tossing back one drink he left the bar to hang out in his car.

The second he received her 911 text, Ethan sped to the restaurant.

Just as he pulled up, he saw a man and a woman standing in front of the building. As he got closer, he recognized Amina and Mark.

Mark yelled at Amina with his fist raised as if he was going to hit her.

Ethan slammed on the breaks, placed his car in park and rushed toward them.

“You think you can fucking embarrass me and walk away like you’ve done nothing wrong?” Mark screamed.

By now a handful of people had come out of the restaurant to observe.

“I don’t care what you think anymore, Mark, you are no longer my problem!” Amina countered. “Stay away from me!”

She turned away from him but Mark grabbed her by the hair and cocked his fist back.

Ethan made it to them just in time to catch Mark’s fist.

With his free arm, he delivered an uppercut to Mark’s jaw. Mark released Amina’s hair as he stumbled backward and collapsed on the ground.

“Keep your fucking hands off her. You’re the only one who’s lost his mind around here. What kind of man puts his hands on a woman? You piece of shit!”

Ethan had never been so angry in his life. When Amina had told him of her past abuse at the hands of her ex in their previous life, it pissed him off. But witnessing it first-hand sent his rage meter off the charts.

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