Page 105 of Famous Last Words
“What are you doing here?” I snap.
He guffaws. “What? A guy can’t enjoy a few drinks with his buddies?” He indicates the group of finance-looking douchebags settling into the table by the window.
I cock my head to the side, meeting his eyes again. Out of all the bars in all of Manhattan. I call bullshit. With an obvious roll of my eyes, I skip the niceties and ask him what he wants.
“I can handlethisif you like?” Vera says, glowering at Tadd.
She’s already run off her feet with two tables. My table just left. I shake my head. “No. It’s fine. Thanks.”
“Well, if he starts anything, you let me know.” She flashes Tadd one more warning glance on her way back to her section.
Tadd gives me his order before slinking back to his buddies. I enter the order into the system before pulling my phone from the pocket of my apron and quickly texting Robbie.
Me: Tadd just showed up at work.
Robbie: He fucking what?
Me: Yeah. He’s never been here before. Not even when we were dating. I don’t like it…
Robbie: Who are you working with?
Me: Vera’s here. And Ronaldo, the bartender.
“Order up, Franny,” Ronaldo says, interrupting me before Robbie’s next message comes through.
I tuck my phone back into my apron and grab the tray of drinks destined for Tadd’s table. With my game face set, I begin toward the bane of my existence, forcing a smile, because the last thing I need is the six of them to know just how affected I am.
“Okay, here we aregentlemen,” I say mockingly, placing the drinks onto the table in front of Tadd and his friends without a care, amber liquor sloshing over the sides that I don’t bother to mop up.
“Hey, Fran,” one of them grins up at me.
I think his name is Trent or something equally unremarkable. I manage a smile I know doesn’t reflect the disdain in my eyes before turning to head back to my post. But before I can get away, I’m stopped by a hand grabbing my wrist.
Yanking free of Tadd’s grasp, I spear him with a death-like scowl. “Donottouch me,” I say, raising my voice.
Like a bunch of loser high school boys, his friends chuckle between themselves, and Tadd laughs along with them, but I can tell by the way his jaw tenses that I just embarrassed him. And frankly, he’d best be careful because he doesn’t know what embarrassment is; he seems to be forgetting I still have the dick pics he sent me… the ones he forgot to crop his stupid face out of.I’m definitely not an advocate for revenge porn, but Don’t. Test. Me.
I take a deep, centering breath and remind myself of Andy’s offer last night. Not only is the opportunity amazing and everything I want, but it also means no more Tadd.
“Enjoy your drinks,” I sass with a saccharine smile before walking back to the counter.
“Everything okay?” Vera checks as I approach.
I nod, brushing off her concern. “It’s fine.”
And honestly, it is fine. I have this newfound sense of strength when it comes to Tadd. Yes, he’s a creep, capable of literally anything, and I don’t trust him. And after last night and what I shared with Robbie, I can’t believe I was ever stupid enough to give a man like Tadd my body. He’s a trash human, and I hate that I didn’t see straight through him the moment he latched onto me. But now that I know Robbie has not only my body but my back and my heart too, I feel like I’m strong enough to stand up to all the Tadds in the world. There’s a lot of them in this city, especially in real estate, and I refuse to let them make me feel like I’m less. Not anymore.
Just as I finish settling a customer’s tab a little while later, I look up to see a familiar silhouette enter The Exchange. Tall and imposing, he’s cloaked in a long winter coat and a beanie pulled low, head bowed, but I’d know those shoulders anywhere. When he looks up, my insides melt at the sight of those dark whiskey eyes when they find mine across the way, and a smile blooms over my face.
“What are you doing here?” I hurry around the counter and all but throw myself at him.
Robbie’s arms wrap around my waist, pulling me flush against him, and with a kiss to my temple, he mutters, “Like hell was I just gonna sit around playing fuckingCall of Dutywith Dallas, knowing that fuckwad was here.”
As if he knows we’re talking about him, Tadd turns, his eyes narrowing the moment he spots me in Robbie’s arms.
Robbie casually lifts his chin at him, and even from here I can see the tic in Tadd’s jaw. He’s pissed. I’m ecstatic.
I grab Robbie’s hand and lead him to a stool at the end of the bar, patting the counter. He removes his coat, revealing himself in a black hoodie and a pair of black jeans that are loose enough, yet fit him in all the right places. Definitely not typical attire for The Exchange, but he looks utterly delicious; I want to toss my apron on the floor and leave with him. Not only would I never do that to Vera, but my commission check from CarltonMyers still hasn’t cleared, so I’m kind of stuck.
