Page 247 of Reverse

“Pardon?” I ask, texting a picture of our view to Dad.

“Don’t play ignorant. You know exactly what I’m asking. Put the phone down and tell me what youget, Natalie.”

My eyes widen as he kicks back in his seat, his delivery far too hostile for casual conversation. Though his posture is relaxed, the look in his eyes tells me he’s anything but.

“Fine. Igetthat wemarriedour parents into this very type of situation.”

“I fucking knew it,” he scoffs.

“Knew what?”

“That you were justifying our divorce.”

“Never that,” I sip my water.

“No? Sure seems like it.Newsflash, Natalie. Plenty of people get along with their exes for the sake of their children.” He tosses his napkin on his plate, the leather cuff fastened around his wrist keeping the majority of my focus before I take him in fully—something I’ve deprived myself of since we met up hours ago. His thick hair, which is definitely a few inches longer, hangs just above the collar of his dark blue linen button-down.

“I would say ours was a much different situation, but I’m not entirely disagreeing with you. Even so, there’s no point in arguing about it since it’s been put to bed, right?”

He scoffs. “Sure has,Sleeping Beauty.”

“Hey,hey,” I speak up in defense, “I’m just as uncomfortable as you are, but we don’t have to turn on each other.”

“That’s always been your angle, hasn’t it, Natalie? Putting everyone else’s feelings first.”

“Don’t,” I warn in a harsh whisper. “I was just trying to find some meaning in the situation. It’s ironic and probably a little deserved, considering. You don’t have to be such a jerk about it.”

“Yeah, well, maybe tequila brings out the worst in me,” he snaps, grabbing his rocks glass and tossing some back. “Or maybe it’syou.”

“Easton, please put your weapons away. We’re leaving soon.” I glance around uneasily to see our rapidly heating exchange unnoticed. “I fly home in two days, but I can make an early exit, if that’s what you’ve decided you want.”

“Maybe you should,” his expertly thrown dagger lands squarely in my chest. “Yeah, Natalie, that’s what I want.”

A three-alarm fire begins to roar in my throat as he presses in.

“Oh, sorry, did that hurt?”

“Like hell,” I admit.“Happy?”

“Sure,” he spouts dryly.

“Well, that’s all I want for you.”

“Jesus,” he rakes an impatient hand through his hair, hazel eyes drilling unforgivingly. “You really just talkat people, don’t you?”

“You loved that about me once.”

“No, that’s the one thing I couldn’t take about you. You’ve got immaculate perception about everyone that comes into your life, but play completely fucking blind on the perception to help yourself.”

“I’m wide awake, Easton, and bullseye accurate on my perceptions of you. I don’t need help knowing what’s good for me.”

“No, you’re beyond that,” he fires back before projecting his voice. “Come on, Misty. We’re leaving.”

“Five more minutes,” she replies, oblivious, before diving back into conversation with Holly.

I can’t help my snort. “She seems reallyattunedtoyou. Congratulations.”

“Don’t be petty.”

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