Page 32 of Someone Just Like You

Esther slid the cocktail closer to her. “Do you mind?”

“Just a little try before I buy.”

I gaped at her behind his back and mouthed, “What the fuck?”

“What are youreallydoing here, Killian?” She was the picture of cool, but I could tell from the quake in her voice she was more rattled than she was letting on.

“Between Connecticut and”—he gestured at me—“your friends, you’ve been too busy to make plans. I thought I’d make it easy for you.” He struck an innocent pose. “Do you mind?”

She clucked her tongue. “I do, actually. I told you I wasn’t comfortable hanging out.”

“But we’re so good together. Give me another chance.” He rubbed her shoulder.

Esther visibly flinched under his touch.

This was bad. I tapped him on the back. “Maybe you should give her space,” I said.Keep it light and no one gets hurt.

“Who asked for your opinion?” he spat.

“Shedid!” I said.

“Is that what you want, Star? You want me to leave?” He pushed out his lips, probably attempting to look angelic and pull on Esther’s heartstrings…either that or draw her attention to his mouth. In better days, she’d bragged about his talent in the oral arts. His use of a nickname previously known to leave her weak in the knees also didn’t go unnoticed.

I prayed it wouldn’t work…that she wouldn’t romanticize the dumpster fire that was their three-year on-and-off-again relationship and invite him to stick around.

“I don’t want to make a scene, but yes. Please leave.”

My shoulders relaxed, and I clapped my hands softly.

Killian was quiet for a moment as if contemplating.

I gritted my teeth.Go!

He crossed his arms over his broad chest and shook his head. “It’s a public place, Star. I have as much a right to be here as you.”

This was getting ugly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jude approach, a neutral expression on his face.

Jude kept his stare on Killian even while pouring the remains of Esther’s martini into a fresh glass. “Is there a problem here?”

“Not at all. Can I get one of these?” Killian pointed at Esther’s drink.

Jude ignored him and jutted his chin at Esther. “Are you all right?”

She shook her head.

It took a lot to leave my outspoken and spirited bestie speechless, and it pained me to watch this play out. I’d be her voice. “She’s not okay,” I said to Jude. “He’s stalking her. She asked him to leave and he refused.” I willed him with my eyes to make it go away. To makehimgo away.

He gave me alook. It said, “I’ve got this.”

I nodded in silent acknowledgment and gave him my trust, maybe for the first time ever.

Jude turned back to Killian. “I’m not in the habit of kicking people out of my bar, but you’re making the women uncomfortable and that’s unacceptable. How about you leave voluntarily and come back on another night? The gin isn’t going anywhere.”

My natural instinct was to debate the accuracy of the phrase “my bar,” but I was too grateful for his interference to argue semantics.

Killian didn’t share my reluctance. He snarled. “Is thisyourbar?”

My breath hitched.Oh no he didn’t.

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