Page 129 of Show Me

Jesus. I sound like a broken record. Bella’s mouth opens. Closes. Emily leans back, arms crossing loosely. Not pushing. Not buying it either. None of us are buying it.

“Okay,” Bella says, dragging the word out. “Then we’re not talking about it.”

“Thank you.” My quick reply earns me a look. I ignore it, and they stand by their word.

“Did you see Mrs. Donnelly sold her house?” Bella pivots hard. “Took her long enough.”

“Only because she scared off every buyer with that story about the basement.” Emily’s laughter is forced as she tries gallantly to follow Bella’s lead and change the subject. That’s when I notice Greg grabbing a beer at the bar.

He points the tip of the beer toward me and smiles. I shiver as the hair on my arms stands. How did working at the gym turn into the worst decision I ever made? I turn in my seat, facing away from him. That’s saying something because it feels like I’ve made a string of bad decisions lately.

Bella grins. “That story is real.”

“It’s not.” Emily rolls her eyes.

“It is. Dominic told me–”

“Dominic also thinks the town council is secretly plotting against him.”

This time, Bella laughs. “That’s different.”

The conversation shifts, easy, familiar—Brookhaven gossip. Safe ground. I latch onto it.

Minutes later, I don’t mean to look. I do anyway, across the bar. Xavier is at the high-tops near the wall, one hand braced against the surface, drink in the other. Two women stand too close. Talking. Smiling.

One of them reaches out, fingers brushing his arm, light, casual, like it’s nothing. He doesn’t step back. Doesn’t lean in either. … stays. Listens. Responds when they talk.

This is Xavier. The flirt. The guy that always has a girl at his side. He doesn’t have to do anything. They flock to him. Not that I blame them. He’s gorgeous. Considerate. A good friend. Fuck. I blink at the tears threatening to overwhelm me and turn away.

The conversation continues to move. I pretend to listen. Not hearing anything. My attention continuously drifts around the room. At the other end of the bar, Greg remains staring at me without an ounce of contrition on his face. Intent. Focused. Unrelenting.

Heat floods my skin, making my armpits damp. Then he tips his head toward Xavier and arches his eyebrows as if he’s saying, ‘See, I told you so.’

I can’t help but search for Xavier and find him still talking. The women laughing up at him. He’s not touching either of them. He doesn’t wink or give that cocky grin of his. Doesn’t ask them to dance. Doesn’t do anything that crosses a line.

But he doesn’t look in my direction either.

Don’t. He’s not for you. I return my attention to the table. Back to Bella laughing at something Emily said.

The door opens again. Jake and Dominic step inside, scanning the room before heading toward our table. The night feels too crowded—too many people who know too much. I reach for my purse.

Bella notices immediately. “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah.” I slide out of the booth. “I’m tired.”

Emily’s already standing. “We’ll take you home.”

“I’m fine.” My fingers clutch onto my purse straps.

“We’re not letting you leave on your own.”

“This is ridiculous.” I punch my information into the app. “I’ll get a ride. It’s not like the stalker will be the one driving me.”

Emily’s brows pull together. “Ruby–”

“I said I’m fine.” I soften it, forcing a small smile. “I just… need to sleep.”

Bella studies me. “You sure?”