Page 76 of Lost Without You (Chasing Olivia 2)

“It’s not. He wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Are you so sure?”

“Yes. He might be obsessed, but I don’t think he would take things that far.”

“You don’t know that.” She takes a deep breath, composing herself. “Stay far away from him. I didn’t trust him before, and now that I’ve heard this, I really don’t trust him.”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere near him.”

“Good.” She nods her head and sips her martini. “Now, I’ve been looking forward to their chicken sliders all night. Can we stop talking about dick face and order?”

Wednesday, I get a call from Justin. He wants to know how I’m doing with Chase out of town. I told him I’m okay, but he insists on taking me to dinner, to make sure. Obviously, Chase must have told him to check up on me, so I agree to meet him at an upscale restaurant near my apartment. Walking into the restaurant, I tell the hostess I’m meeting someone and find him sitting at the bar, sipping on a martini.

“Hello, Justin.”

“Olivia! So glad you could make it.” He gets up and gives me a friendly hug.

“It’s good to see you. Where’s Miranda?”

“She’s off in France doing a shoot for Victoria’s Secret. She’s flying home next week.”

“So, Chase asked you to keep an eye on me, huh?”

“Actually, no. This was all my idea. I thought you might be bored.” He motions to the stool next to him. “Sit, have a drink.”

“Okay.” I slide onto the stool as the bartender comes over and asks what I’m drinking.

“Let me guess,” Justin says, smiling. “I remember you having a taste for white wine while we were in Turks and Caicos. A sauvignon blanc, if my memory serves me right.”

“That is correct, but not what I’m in the mood for.” Turning, I give the bartender my full attention. “Do you have pumpkin beer?”

“Yes, we do. Tap or bottle?”

“Tap please, with a rim.”

Justin stares at me, searching for something. Giving up, he smiles and says, “Never pictured you as the beer type.”

“Really? Well, Chase has been spoiling me, that’s for sure.”

“Now, why would you say that?”

“Justin, really?” I shake my head, not in the mood for an in depth discussion. Wisely, he drops it.

“So, how is work?”

“I love my job, and it keeps me busy.”

“That’s good,” he says, sipping his drink. Putting his glass down, he stares into the cup and moves the ice cubes around with the stir stick.

“How are things with you and Miranda?” I ask, trying to break the silence.

Lifting his head, he chuckles, a smirk crossing his face. “Great, when she’s home, which is never.”

“Justin, you knew she was a model.”

“Yeah, I know. This is just weird. I mean, I never cared about that before. In fact, it was great when a chick went away, since they were so clingy. But now, I find I’m angry.” Justin tips his head back, letting the liquid from his glass pour down his throat. Slamming the glass on the bar, he signals for a refill and shakes his head.

“I’m angry all the time,” he mutters.

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