Page 62 of Dear Pink

“Holly’s unsuitable for your image, Gabe. Her pink hair is childish. Remember, you have a reputation to uphold.” She steers me closer. Her lips hover near mine, threatening. “You need a real woman.”

“Arealwoman?” I choke on my disgust. She has nerves of steel. “A real woman wouldn’t sleep with her boss while also sleeping with her fiancé. You didn't seem too concerned about your reputation, but you were clearly wrong for mine.”

I yank away hard, and Elise nearly topples over. While I smooth out the crease her fingers made, the restaurant doors open behind me. A whiff of lavender fills the air.

“Gabe, is this woman harassing you?” Hannah asks, appearing beside me.

When she shoots me a mischievous smile, I return it. “Yes. A crazy stalker. She keeps following me.”

Elise stares at us, wide-eyed and mouth open. Her high heels teeter on the concrete.

“Shedoesseem cray,” Hannah says, plucking her phone out of a straw handbag. “Shall I call the cops?”

Elise places her hands on her hips and turns on her standard I-tolerate-you sneer. I recognize those Botox lips from our engagement pictures. Damn it. How did I miss her fakeness? My sisters warned me, but I didn’t listen.

“Holly, we haven’t properly met.” Elise pauses and checks my expression. “I’m Elise, Gabe’s—”

“Crazy ex-girlfriend,” Hannah says, finishing her sentence.

Elise goes silent. Few people interrupt her, much less challenge her.

“And her name is Han-nah,” I say, over-enunciating. “And she’s mygirlfriend.” After the words come out, I panic. Did I inadvertently quicken the pace and possibly spoil our budding relationship?

In a surprise move, Hannah turns into my arms, raises on her pink tiptoes, and kisses me. Her tongue dives deep and meets mine. We kiss for so long that when I break away, Elise is gone.

“Thanks for the rescue,” I say. Hannah grins, but it seems strained around the corners.

As we pass Elise and Sebastian’s table inside, Hannah grabs my ass. Elise chokes on her wine behind us. Who’s uncomfortable now? I wonder what she told Sebastian? In his three-piece suit, Rolex, andtoupée,he dresses like he owns Dallas. I guess Elise wants to be his next luxury acquisition.

“Did you catch her face when you grabbed my butt?” I ask, sitting across from her.

Hannah remains quiet for too long.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Listen, Gabe, I’m happy to help, but . . .” She falls silent.

But what? I’m a loser? She’s clearly repulsed by pathetic men who get dumped by cold-blooded bitches. I cringe while she ponders over her next words.

“But . . . I won’t compete with Elise, Sasha, and Tonya.”

Sasha? Tonya? What’s she talking about?

“I won’t lie to myself and pretend the other women don’t matter,” she continues.

What other women? I’m lost.

“I’m a one-guy kind of gal, and I don’t want to share you with anyone.” She shoves her chair away and throws her napkin on the table. “Thank you for our time together. It’s been real.”

I watch baffled. She’s leaving. I’m on the verge of losing this woman and feel clueless as to why.

I grab her hand, desperate to keep her here. “Wait, please.” She stops and turns to me. “Please stay,” I plead.

She nods and sits. Her eyes have lost their sparkle and panic flares in my stomach. I must fix this.

“Let me explain. Sasha and I never dated. She’s been with her boyfriend Eric for three years. And Tonya? The crazy cat lady? My sister Giovanna set me up with her as a long-overdue payback. I arranged a date for her with my college roommate who had formicophilia. It didn’t go well. I swear, I had no clue at the time.”

“What’s formicophilia?” she asks, her shoulders less rigid.

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