Before I can stop it, more tears fall.
“I can’t let him be alone right now.”
“But you can walk out on me at our engagement party. Our party, Natalie. For us.”
Those last two words carry a tone I’ve never heard in his voice.
I step back.
“He needs me.”
Griffin steps closer to me with a look in his eye that sets off alarms inside me.
“If you walk out that door, we are finished. Okay. No wedding, no nothing.”
“Griffin, that’s not fair.”
“You know what’s not fair? That guy thinking he’s better than me, coming to me and saying we need to be friends for your sake, as if he’s the better man. Fuck that. You belong to me, not to him.”
Oh my god.
Oh my god.
“I …” I start to back up for the door.
From the corner of my eye, I see Nora and the group getting up as if the building is on fire.
“Don’t you dare walk out that door,” Griffin calls out behind me.
Before I know it, Hero, Beck, Simon, Zane, and Graham are all standing between me and Griffin.
“I’d stop right there if I were you,” Hero says quietly but with authority.
“This is a conversation between me and my fiancée. Why don’t you all go back to your table and?—”
“Let’s go,” I say and turn. Nora hands me my purse.
“Get back here,” Griffin yells. “Nikki!”
My back stiffens, and I stop for the briefest of moments to look over my shoulder.
“Natalie, I meant Natalie.”
“Go to hell, Griffin,” I say and march right out the door with my friends at my side.
“What just happened?” Nora says, looping her arm with mine.
“Griffin and I just broke up.”
“Oh my god. Are you okay?” Calla asks.
“Yes. I just need someone to take me to my car.”
“Why not home?”
“Because.”
“Because why?” Hero asks.
