Sadly, knowing that does make me feel a bit better.
“Ah,” I nod. “Makes sense. He’s a serial cheater who doesn't know how to take accountability.”
“Exactly,” Owen replies, taking a sip of his drink. “He’s a real piece of work—”
Before he can get the rest of his sentence out, a blonde woman in a sleek, baby blue dress approaches us from behind. We both jump at the sound of her high-pitched voice.
“Owen!” she gasps. “Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in forever!”
His body freezes as she wraps her arms around his neck, awkwardly pulling him in for a hug, acting as if I’m not standing right next to him.
Owen immediately steps back as she releases him, returning his arm to my waist and tugging me against him.
“Hey, Holly,” he half-smiles, trying to sound enthusiastic but failing miserably.
He turns to face me, his expression relaxing as he grins down at me with such admiration. “This is my date, Meadow.”
A flare of satisfaction takes flight in my chest at how Owen immediately introduced me as more than just his friend.
Holly’s face falls, her smile dropping as her eyes flick to me, looking me up and down with full judgment.
“Hey,” she mutters, her voice flat and monotone.
Crazy how quickly she went from friendly and bubbly to a cold, mean girl in less than five seconds.
“Hi,” I respond politely, reaching out my hand in greeting.
She acts like she doesn't see the gesture and turns back to Owen, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“I thought Lauren was coming with you this weekend?”
Wow.
What a bitch.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, bringing up Lauren, Owen’s ex.
The woman who was supposed to be here.
My body goes completely still as my pulse hammers against my neck, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths.
Owen catches on immediately, wrapping both arms around my waist and pulling my back to his chest. Her eyes widen, like she’s appalled that he’s being so touchy-feely with me.
“We’re not together anymore, Holly,” Owen says flatly. “But you already knew that, didn't you?”
Oh shit.
The woman blinks, acting oblivious.
“No,” she shrugs. “I must have missed a chapter somewhere.”
Owen lets out an amused huff and rests his chin atop my head.
“If your goal in coming to talk to me was to report information back to Lauren, your mission is accomplished. You can go now.”
Holly steps back like she’s offended, placing a manicured hand over her heart.
“Oh,” Owen adds. “And you can tell her that I’m happy. Really fucking happy.”
