Page 8 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

My jaw clenches and I grip my phone hard enough to crack the screen. I’ll kill him. Right here and now.

“Seriously?” Blake drops her fork and shifts in her seat. “I can’t believe you’d bring that up. Especially now when I didn’t even want to be here.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry, baby. I know it’s not an excuse, but my parents cut me off my addies and since you left I haven’t been sleeping and classes are kicking my ass. Let’s just eat and forget what I said.”

Blake’s expression softens and she picks up her fork again. “Fine, but I’m serious, Ethan. We’re not getting back together. I don’t care what you have to say.”

He reaches across the table to take her hand. She visibly flinches from his touch.

“Ready to order?” The server steps directly in front of my view. Perfect fucking timing.

“I’ll take a spicy tuna roll and a salad.” I’m not particularly hungry, but I need something to keep my hands busy so I don’t wrap them around Ethan’s neck.

After thanking my server, she moves to Blake’s table. “How is everything?” She glances at the rice in front of Blake. “Can I get you something else, Miss?”

“Oh, no, it’s okay. I have food allergies. The rice is fine.” Blake smiles politely as the server takes Ethan’s glass to refill his drink.

This asshat takes her to a restaurant she can’t even eat at.I’d never do that to you, Angel. He devours his rolls while Blake picks at her plain white rice. He never apologizes. Never mentions her allergies at all.

My jaw aches from how tightly I’ve been clenching it.

“Did I mention that my parents invited us to the gala at St. Luke’s? They’re going to introduce you to the president of the board and put in a good word for us. Last I heard they were only taking on a handful of interns next year, so we gotta make a good impression.”

“Ethan… are we going to talk about what happened?”

He shoves another roll in his mouth and chews slowly. “It was one mistake, Blake. Jake’s party and I was wasted. I didn’t even realize she wasn’t you until you walked in.” He pulls a hand through his light hair.

Blake scoffs but keeps her eyes trained on his face while he spews even more obvious bullshit. He reaches for her hand again.

“I love you, baby, and I miss you. If you can’t forgive me, at least come with me to the gala. My parents would love to see you and we can mingle with the board. You need those connections.”

She offers a thin smile, while her gray eyes stay flat and lifeless.

Don’t fall for his lies, Blake. He doesn’t love you.

“You hurt me. It’s going to take a lot for me to forgive you.” Her gaze bounces between the nearly full bowl of rice and Ethan’s hand before she pins him with her gaze. “But I’ll go to the gala with you.”

He leans across the table, invading her space and contaminating her perfect mouth with his lying lips. I wait with bated breath to see how she’ll react. Surely, she’ll slap him or at least curse him out.

My phone rings, dragging my attention away from Blake. I hit ignore and text Leon back.

Me: Hey, I’m grabbing lunch. What’s up?

Leon: Found out more about our friends at the party. Jas just woke up. We’re waiting on you.

I bring my attention back to Blake who’s now standing and looking toward the restroom sign.

Me: Be there soon.

Ethan has his phone out, typing with a smug grin. He’s probably texting his dude bro friends to tell them how Blake’s taking him back.

Well, think again, Ethan.

I scrub a hand over my chin and pull out more than enough cash to cover my check and tip, along with one of my favorite little tracking devices.

Checking to see if Blake’s still in the restroom, I walk past their table, accidentally knocking into it. Ethan drops his phone on the empty platter and raises his chin.

“My bad, man. I wasn’t looking where I was walking.” I shoot him a bright grin that he doesn’t reciprocate. He examines me from head to toe, clearly adjusting whatever remark he was going to say.

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