“I assure you,Dean,’ I retort, my voice sharp and cutting, “my recruitment practices are entirely ethical, and are quite frankly, none of your concern.”
He throws his hands up in surrender. “My mistake, bro. It’s nothing personal.”
Mila’s sharp clap, followed by a nervous laugh, breaks the heavy tension in the air.
“Well, as much fun as this conversation has been, the movie’s about to start, so we should probably head to our seats,” she says, gazing up at Dean with a pleading look. He gives her a soft, reassuring smile and nods, then slips an arm around her shoulders, guiding her towards the cinema door.
Gemma and I trail quietly behind, and I can tell how unsettled she is from the whole exchange—she hasn’t said a word. This isn’t a side of me I want anyone to witness. I’m usually calm and composed, yet there’s something about Dean that sets my blood boiling.
As we reach the threshold of the cinema, I suddenly remember the question I meant to ask her last Sunday, right before she rushed out of my house.
“Hey, Mila!”
She and Dean spin around to face me, his arm still locked tightly around her shoulders like a vice.
“What’s up?”
“I just realised I forgot to ask you last week—would you like to come to Jake’s preschool graduation next Wednesday? He really wants you there, but I thought I’d check with you first to make sure it’s okay. The whole family will be there too—his mum and both grandparents—so it’d be a perfect chance for you to meet everyone.”
Her face breaks into the most beautiful smile, and she nods eagerly. “Of course I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Great, I’ll text you the details tonight. Jake is going to be thrilled!”
The booming sound of music blares from the speakers, signalling the start of the movie ads. We all wave goodbye to each other and head off in different directions towards our seats.
Mila and Dean sit a couple of rows ahead, close enough for me to see the way he draws her intimately against his side, her head nestling between his neck and shoulder.
A surge of jealousy courses through me, and the impulse to storm over there and rip him off her consumes me. But I hold myself back. I have no right to behave that way. She’s here with a date, and so am I. So I need to stop treating her as if I somehow have a claim on her, like some wild, possessive caveman.
I sink back into my chair, searching for a comfortable position. Gemma leans in, her head coming to rest against my shoulder, and I instinctively wrap an arm around her.I fix my gaze on the screen, forcing my attention to the ads flickering across it. Only, I can’t concentrate; even halfway through the movie, my attention hasn’t stopped drifting towards Mila and Dean, cosied up together, laughing and feeding each other popcorn like sappy lovebirds.
Dean’s arm remains tightly around Mila, while she presses in closer, almost as if she’s lying against him.
I’m so caught up in the two of them that I don’t even feel the warm hand rubbing against my groin. It’s only when she calls my name that I quickly snap out of my daze.
“Everything okay, Jason?” Gemma asks.
I glance over at her, catching the faint trace of worry in her eyes. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, I meet her gaze and offer a gentle, reassuring smile. “Everything’s fine, babe. It’s just a little crowded in here and I don’t want anyone to see us. Let’s just wait until we get to your place, okay?”
She gives a small nod, though doubt still lingers in her expression.I lean down and kiss her softly on the lips, then slightly adjust my position so she’s tucked comfortably under my arm.
Throughout the movie, my eyes shift between the screen, Mila, and her date. The more I watch them getting closer and more affectionate, the more irritated I feel.
By the time the movie ends and we file out of the cinema, two thoughts ring loud and clear in my mind: 1) Mila deserves so much better; and 2) I absolutely can’t stand that dickhead Dean.
CHAPTER 12
Mila
A deep sense of joy swells within me as I watch Jake stride across the makeshift stage to receive his certificate from his teacher, clad in his tiny black robe and hat.
Jason’s piercing whistle and Elena’s enthusiastic cheers slice through the thunderous applause of the otherwise packed room. Stealing a quick glance at Jake’s whole family, it’s impossible to miss the overwhelming love and support they have for him, especially on the day of his preschool graduation.
My eyes move to Elena, seated to Jason’s right, looking elegant in a white satin blouse, a black pencil skirt, and stiletto heels. Her strawberry-blonde hair is styled in a sleek modern French twist, with loose strands softly framing her delicate, slender face. Skylar hadn’t exaggerated when she said Jason’s ex-wife was stunning. Everything about her radiates elegance and confidence.
She and her parents arrived just as the ceremony began, so we only had time for a brief introduction. However, the curious glances she’s been shooting my way since she walked into the hall make it obvious she’s itching to sit me down for an interrogation—one I’m not sure I’m ready to face just yet.
After the ceremony, the families are ushered outside for photos, and when it’s their turn, Jason unexpectedly pulls me in a few of the family shots. It’s hard not to feel out of place when Jason’s family looks like they belong on the cover of a lifestyle magazine—picture-perfect smiles, effortless poise, thewhole polished package. And through it all, I can feel Elena’s gaze searing into me, sharp and unrelenting, as if she’s trying to burn a hole straight through my skin. I have no idea what her problem is with me. We’ve barely met, and yet I can already tell that getting to know her is going to be one hell of a challenge.
