Page 81 of The Love Syllabus

I arch a brow. “And?”

“Well,” he shrugs, “I called around, tried to see who you were working for, but no one seemed to know.”

I laugh, sharp and humorless. “I don’t know what’s worse. The fact that you think I’d tell you anything about my life, or the fact that you actually went out of your way to call around like a damn stalker.”

“I just wanted to know how you were doing,” Cory says, raising his hands in mock innocence. “You were my wife, Kerry. I’ll always care about you.”

I scoff. “I’m not your business anymore. And I’ll never care about you ever again. Move on.”

“I have moved on.” His arm snakes around Krista’s shoulders, mimicking the way Vic holds me. “With the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”

But when his hand trails down her arm, Krista flinches. It’s subtle, but we both notice.

“Hey,” I say, standing abruptly. “Come with me to the ladies’ room?”

Krista hesitates, flicking her gaze to Cory. “Oh, I’m okay—”

I don’t ask again. I just gently reach for her wrist and pull her along. “Come with me.”

Cory groans, shaking his head like she’s the difficult one. “Hurry back, babe. You know I hate being away from you.”

It’s meant to sound sweet, but it’s a threat.

Krista stiffens, but I don’t wait for her response. I simply grab her hand and lead her to the restroom.

Krista huffs, glancing at the mirror as she smooths down her hair. “Can we hurry this up? I don’t want to leave the guys alone too long.”

But I don’t care about the guys. I don’t care about the fake dinner or the damn PR stunt.

I care about her.

“Are you okay?” I cross my arms and lean against the sink, watching her carefully.

She pauses, fingers stilling in her hair before she catches herself. Then, slowly, she turns to face me. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“I’m fine. Stop acting weird.” She waves a dismissive hand. “I was gonna tell you about Cory, you know. I just… wasn’t expecting him to show up tonight after a huge fight we just had.” She rolls her eyes. “I know it’s weird, dating your ex-husband, but I promise I had no idea until a few weeks in. I didn’t seek him out. He introduced himself to me, and… we just clicked.”

I exhale slowly, choosing my words carefully. “Krista, I don’t care about that. I don’t care who you date. I only care whether you’re safe—because Cory’s dangerous.”

She bristles. “Oh, please.”

“I’m serious.” I step closer. “He can’t be trusted. And if you don’t get out now, before you’re in too deep—”

Krista’s entire demeanor shifts. Her spine straightens, eyes narrowing as something cold and defensive takes over. “You know what? He said you’d say that.” She shakes her head, laughing bitterly. “He told me you’d try to turn me against him. That you’d say he’s a monster. That you still want him. I should’ve believed him.”

“Krista, I swear to God, I don’t—”

“Oh, save it.” She throws her hands up. “You couldn’t keep him, so now you don’t want anyone else to have him? Don’t pretend to be my friend just because you lost him.”

My heart pounds. “Not every man is worth keeping, Krista. And Cory? He’s not a prize. He’s a warning.”

I take a slow breath, pull my phone from my pocket, and snatch hers out of her hand, then dial my number. “You have my number now. Call me. Anytime. No matter what.” My voice is steady and unwavering.

She stares at the screen like she doesn’t know whether to thank me or throw the phone back in my face, but she doesn’t do either. She just swallows hard, snatches it back, and storms out.

The second Krista and I return to the booth, the tension is thick with silence—a loaded, suffocating silence.

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