Page 22 of The Leaving Road

“That sounds fine.” I really didn’t love red wine, but at this point, I would do anything to ask Lance if he was catching on to the open hostility pouring out of Remi in his general direction.

Remi stalked off, though she had remained professional in her responses and demeanor toward us, which I could tell was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Are you going to explain that, or should I just guess?”

Lance sighed and it raised a red flag in my brain—it was clearly a sign of annoyance. Was it because I was questioning him? Or was it because of Remi?

“She’s just someone from my past.” He clearly wasn’t going to offer anything more than that.

“Did you know she worked here?”

“She used to work here part-time, and I didn’t know she’d be here tonight, let alone our server. Can we move on please?” He pouted, and I had to say it was veryunattractive. It would be rude to get up and leave; plus, he was my ride. Ubers weren’t a thing here, and I really didn’t want to call Lexie to come pick me up. Lance must have realized he was losing my interest because he leaned over the table and took my hand.

“Look, I’m sorry, Magnolia. In all honesty, we dated a long time ago, for a very short period. This is the best date night spot I could think of. It didn’t even cross my mind that she might be here when I booked the reservations. If you want, we can go.” He started to look around for someone, I’m guessing for the check.

I squeezed his hand to grab his attention.

“Look, it’s fine. Is it ideal? Not at all. Let’s just try to enjoy a meal and get to know each other before you come look at the house.” I didn’t have much hope for a romantic relationship with Lance after this. Something felt a little off about this whole encounter, and I wasn’t thrilled with his response to it all. My walls were already iron clad, and unfortunately, he might have just ruined any chance of breaking them down.

A new server came with our glasses of wine and told us she would be taking over our table for the rest of the evening. We placed our food orders; I stayed true with seafood and got the crab cakes and fries, while Lance got a large steak.

“So, in all the chaos that seems to have followed us, I never did find out what it is you do for a living?” Lance asked in between all the small talk and good food.

“Oh, I can’t believe it hasn’t come up yet. I’m a veterinarian.”

“Holy shit, you’re a doctor?” He stared at me open-mouthed.

“Uh, yeah.” I felt a little silly at his reaction.Why wouldn’t I be a doctor?

“But you’re so young, and well…hot.” His eyebrows furrowed.

Okay, that was a little offensive. I was flattered as well as pissed.

“I fail to see your point.”

“Shit, that didn’t come out right. You’re just are a total knockout. Usually, a girl who looks like you doesn’t come with half a brain.” He laughed, as if that made it okay. Now I could understand Remi’s anger at seeing him.

“I worked hard all my life to accomplish what I have. I love being a veterinarian. In fact, I’ll open my own clinic one day.”

He huffed. “Don’t you want kids?”

“I fail to see what that has to do with my career?”

“Raising kids is a full-time job, so you wouldn’t be able to have both,” he stated matter of fact. “Someone as good-looking as you should be barefoot and pregnant, in the kitchen, while her husband brings home the bacon, if you catch my drift.”

How dare he.

“You…you overgrownman-child.” If the food wasn’t so good, I would highly consider throwing it in his face.

“Excuse me?” His face was a shade of red, like he couldn’t believe I insulted him.

“Howdareyou say I should be some kept housewife? While I have no problem if that’s something someone wants. Youbroughtme to a restaurant your ex works at, youinsultedmy intelligence, and now youinsultedme.” I threw my napkin down, looking longingly at my crab cakes, wishing Lance wasn’t such a grade-A asshole so I could continue to eat them. Instead, I decided to high tail it out of there, Ubers or not. I’ll wait outside for Lexie. I stalked off, grabbing my phone from my clutch, getting ready to dial her number.

“Magnolia?” I turned around, andof course, of course,there was Sloan and his parents sitting at a table inside.

I was a raging mad storm, and this was going to send me over the edge.

“Not right now, Sloan. I don’t have the energy to fake it right now.”

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