Page 58 of Forbidden Fruit

A twinge of guilt hits me, but I push it aside. "That has nothing to do with me."

"It has everything to do with you!" His voice rises to a shout. "He's taking everything from me!"

The manager steps between us. "Sir, you must leave now, or I'll call the police."

Jack sways slightly, looking from the manager to me. For a terrifying moment, I think he might get violent. Then his shoulders slump.

"You'll regret this," he says, his voice suddenly cold. "Both of you." His eyes, glassy with tears and alcohol, fix on me with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. "He'll get bored of you, Becca. That's what he does."

The manager takes Jack's arm. "Let's go, sir."

Jack shakes him off but backs away, clutching the ring box so tightly that his knuckles turn white. "Ask him about Sophia in Marketing or Daniela from the London office. Ask him!"

Then he's being escorted out, his final words lost in the murmur of conversation that resumes around us. I watch him stumble down the sidewalk through the window, shoulders hunched, before disappearing around the corner.

"Well," Holly says after a long moment, raising her wine glass. "That was dramatic."

I sink back into my chair, my legs suddenly weak. "Oh my God."

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know." I reach for my water with trembling hands. "I've never seen him like that."

Holly snorts. "He's always been a narcissistic man-child. This is just the first time you've said no to him."

The manager approaches our table, apologetic. "Ladies, I'm so sorry about that disturbance. Your lunch is on the house today."

I thank him automatically, but my mind is elsewhere. Jack's accusations about Clive echo in my head. Could there be any truth to them? I barely know Clive, not really. A week of passion doesn't erase the fact that he's lived a whole life before me.

"You're overthinking," Holly says, reading my expression. "Don't let Jack's tantrum ruin what you have with Clive."

"But what if?—"

"Nope." She cuts me off. "Jack would say anything to hurt you right now. He's lashing out."

My phone buzzes on the table. Clive's name appears on the screen.

Looking forward to tonight. 8pm at Lucien's? I've missed you.

"See? Does that sound like a player to you?"

"No," I admit, typing a quick reply.

Can't wait. Missed you too.

"But Jack seemed so sure about those women..."

Holly sighs. "Becca, you're a professional event planner. You organize every detail of your life. You've never made an impulsive decision in all the years I've known you."

"Until now," I murmur.

"Until now," she agrees. "And maybe that's a good thing. But if you need reassurance, just ask Clive about it tonight."

"You're right." I take a deep breath, trying to calm my thoughts. "It's just... I've never felt this way before, Holly. It's terrifying."

"Good terrifying or bad terrifying?" Holly asks, signaling for the check despite the manager's offer.

"Both? I don't know." I rub my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "What if I'm making a huge mistake? Clive is Jack's stepfather. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover it."

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