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I mindlessly pick at my dinner when it arrives and listen to Alec ramble about the Caribbean cruise they’re taking to celebrate their anniversary.
It’s not until dessert is dropped off that I spot him. Unlike me, he wasn’t lying about having a date. Even though all I see is her bare back and long strawberry-blonde locks, I know it’s Phoebe Jedson. The familiarity is a consequence of living in a small town.
I tighten my fingers across the stem of my glass and stare at him until his eyes meet mine.
I hate you,I mouth.
I’m glad,is his reply.
I throw him the dirtiest look I can when he tilts his glass my way.
The remainder of dessert is spent with our never-ending contact. His attention isn’t on Phoebe, and I only nod, feeling like a shitty friend while mindlessly hearing Alec’s stories from geriatrics. I stop the waitress when she passes and order another drink.
Ten minutes later, I order another as my second dessert.
Drunken Lauren will numb all thoughts of how delicious Gage looks tonight.
* * *
Alec grabsmy arm and hooks his through it, keeping me stable from falling in my heels and meeting the ground while we walk out of the restaurant to the valet. “We’re driving you home.”
My words leave my mouth in a slur as I shake my head. “It’swaaayout of your way,aaandit’s your birthday. I’ll call a cab,oookaaay?”
“Then, we’ll wait with you until it arrives,” Jay tells me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
God, what would I do without them?
“I can take her home.”
I cringe, and my back goes straight at the sound of Gage’s voice.
“It’s on my way.”
Jay’s attention darts between Gage and me until he finally settles his attention on the jerk from my past. “Whoa, dude, I don’t want to know why you’re here.” His face fills with protectiveness, giving Gage a warning not to mess with me in his and Alec’s presence.
Alec steps in. “While we appreciate the offer, I won’t allow my best friend to catch a ride with some stranger. I’ve watched way too many murder mysteries, buddy.”
Gage chuckles. “Trust me, we’re not strangers.”
I lose Jay’s hold when he slaps Alec’s back and gestures to Gage.
“Oh … boy,” Alec draws out. “I thought I wanted to be in the loop, but this loop seems pretty darn serious at the moment.” He grabs my shoulders and brings me to him. “Is this the ex?”
“Sure is,” I mutter before straightening myself up. “I’m taking a cab home.” I stumble while attempting to pull my phone from my clutch.
Gage comes to my side at the same time Alec helps me. “Let me take her home. I promise I’ll take care of her.”
I snort. “Last time we went for a ride, I was handcuffed, and you tried to leave me stranded.”
“Did I though?” he fires back.
I open my mouth to continue our spat but slam it shut at the sight of Phoebe coming to his side.
“Sorry, my makeup was in need of a serious touch-up,” she comments, sliding a compact back into her bag before running her hand over his arm. She stops midway when her eyes land on me. “Lauren … it’s, uh … nice to see you.”
No, it isn’t.
Don’t get me wrong. I have no ill will toward Phoebe. We were never close in high school. Still aren’t. Gage is a single man, who most likely asked her out. Slut-shaming isn’t my game.
