Page 122 of The Hallows Queen

We make our way downtown and park outside the restaurant in no time, and Gavin comes around to open my door after he’s turned the engine off.Gentleman.

He holds out a hand for me, and I slip my own into it, stepping out onto the sidewalk. Gavin leads us into the restaurant, and we go to the hostess stand to check in, but before he can speak to the girl behind the counter, he’s pointing across the room.

“Ah, here’s the guy we’re meeting.”

My eyes travel the room, landing right on where Hayden Monroe is seated at a table for three, a small smirk pulling up his lips.

“No,” I say, taking a step back and dropping Gavin’s hand. “Nope.No fucking way.”

He turns to me, concern pulling his brows. “What is it?”

I’m too focused on watching Hayden to answer, who’s now standing up and walking toward us. My face burns with anger, and I want to scream.

“I should have mentioned,” Hayden says, making Gavin turn around to face him as he reaches us. “That I know your fiancée.”

“What?” Gavin asks, looking between both Hayden and me. “How?”

“Oh, we gowayback,” Hayden says before he holds out an arm toward the table. “Shall we?”

“No, weshall fucking not,” I spit, and Gavin’s eyes go wide.

“Penelope!” he admonishes, like I give a fuck if someone overhears.

I suck my teeth, a humorless smile twisting my lips as I stare at Hayden’s stupid, beautiful face. “I’m not having dinner with you. What are you even still doing here? Go back to California, Hayden.”

“Penelope,” Gavin whisper-shouts between his teeth, stepping closer to me. “You’re acting like a child. What the hell is going on?”

“I was surprised when I introduced myself to Gavin earlier that he didn’t already know who I was. Guess you haven’t mentioned the guy who’s tattooed on your ribs, huh, P?” Hayden grins.

“What?” Gavin says, completely perplexed. “You told me that was for your father.”

Waves of heat rush over me, and I look at Gavin. “Can we go? I’ve had enough.”

“Her father’s name was Stephen, so how could that be for him?” Hayden asks curiously, and I shoot him a look that I hope kills him.

“Enough,” I grit between my teeth. “I’m leaving.”

Rushing from the restaurant, I burst through the front doors and lean against the building, trying to catch my breath. It feels like I can’t breathe, like I can’t get enough oxygen into my lungs to satisfy my head, so I start to go dizzy.

“Penelope.” Gavin comes outside and stands next to me. “What is going on?”

I shake my head. “You never asked my father’s name, and I never offered it, so it’s not like I lied about anything.”

His brows pull down. “Except the meaning behind your tattoo.”

“Yeah,” I sigh, brushing the hair from my forehead.

“So, why? Did you think I wouldn’t love you if I found out about an ex or something? I’m not really understanding.”

I sigh again, trying to gather my thoughts. “I like that we don’t share things with each other. I like that we have our own lives, Gavin. The details of my past aren’t important.”

“If we’re going to get married, you would have had to tell me eventually, right? Or is this the way it’s going to be forever? Secrets and separate homes?” he asks, putting a hand against the building.

“I don’t know – I guess I thought it could be that way.” I look up at him, watching as his face turns from confused to hurt.

“But why would you want it to be… if we love each other?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

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