“I will admit, it is nice walking down the street where no one knows or gives two hoots about who the heck you are.” She takes a sip of her own drink. “But you gotta admit, there’s also something very lonely about it too.”
I think about that for a long moment, realizing she’s not wrong. There is something very lonely about existing in a world where there are millions of people all around you, but yet you’re still utterly and painfully alone.
“So anyways, are you going to see him again?” she asks.
“See who?”
“Trav, duh.”
“Oh, doubtful.”
“Why doubtful? No offense, London, but you’re wound so tight you’re at risk of popping. Maybe he could help, you know, take the edge off.”
“Well, considering Penn informed me that I was not allowed to date a coworker while I worked for him, I think it’s a moot point.”
“What Penn doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Besides, we both know he only made that rule to keep you away from Trav. He’s so obvious it’s painful.”
“Obvious about what?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t pretend like you don’t see it.”
“See what?” I don’t try to hide my confusion.
“How pathetically in love with you he still is.”
“He is not!” I shake my head adamantly.
“Oh, he most certainly is. And what’s worse, you’re the only one who doesn’t seem to notice.”
“I think he’s perfectly content with Cat, if what I walked in on last week is any indication.”
“Cat is filler. And a strategic filler at that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you find it the least bit strange that he could literally have any woman in this town he wanted and he chose her? The only girl he knew would get under your skin.”
“They were seeing each other before I ever came back to town.”
“Penn hated Cat. Hell, I’m convinced he still does. But what better way to prove to everyone that he’s finally over you than by sleeping with your enemy.”
“Cat is not my enemy.”
“Well, she’s certainly not your friend either, now, is she?”
“I think you’re reaching.” I finish off my wine and immediately signal the bartender for another.
“I think you’re in denial.” Her eyes lock on something over my shoulder seconds before a sly smile touches her lips. “Speak of the devil and she shall appear.”
“What?” I spin my head, my stomach filling with rocks when I see Cat and Penn enter the bar. My heart thunders violently against my ribs as I track their movements to the corner booth where they take a seat opposite each other. “Perfect,” I mutter to myself.
“Weird.”
“What’s weird?”
“I can’t recall ever seeing them out together.”
“Certainly they have been, though. How else would the whole town know that they’re seeing each other?”
