Page 13 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“No, don’t go, we need some excitement and I promise she’s not always this unfriendly” she say and glares daggers at me. She fixes a seductive smile on her face before she looks back at Carter.

I swallow a gasp of horror and look away.

She’sflirtingwith him.

Thiscan’tbe happening.

“Beth’s not rude,” Carter’s voice is low and casual, but there is no mistaking the intimacy he has with my name. I can feel Dina’s ire cool from across the table.

“Nice to meet you, Carter,” she says and the dismissal in her voice is unmistakable.

If Carter is thrown off by her whiplash change of attitude, he doesn’t show it.

“You, too,” is all he says before he turns and walks away.

I drop into the seat he abandoned. It’s still warm from his body.

“Beth?” Dina’s incredulous question makes my stomach tighten.

The feeling of being trapped sends a flash of heat that spreads up my neck and into my face.

Iknewcoming here was a terrible idea.

I don’t evenwantto know why Carter is here. I just want to disappear.

Our server has perfect time and she drops the burgers we ordered off just as Dina is about to launch into what I’m sure will be a speech I don’t want to hear.

“Oh, I’m so glad this came out so fast,” I say and then take a huge bite. The explosion of salt and fat cut by the acid of the pickles and tomatoes is nearly orgasmic after a year of salads and flavorless chicken breast. I groan involuntarily, and my eyes roll up in my head.

“This is amazing,” I gush around my mouthful of food. Without waiting to finish chewing, I take another bite.

And then another.

I’m gearing up for a fourth when it’s unceremoniously ripped from my hands. I open my eyes and glare at Dina.

“What are you doing?” I swipe at my cheek and find a smear of mustard on the back of my hand. I lick it off.

Dina is sitting with her arms crossed over her chest, watching me with an expression of extreme irritation marring her pretty face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask, even though I know perfectly well why.

“Do youknowhim?” Dina says loudly to be heard over the music. Even though he was clear across the room, I look up to make sure he didn’t somehow overhear.

“Why would you ask that? I didn’t even look at him.” I say and take a huge gulp of the water our inattentive waiter brought.

“You were forcing yourself not to. But he was looking at you like he wanted to tear your clothes off. And he called you Beth.”

I remember his cold demeanor, and laugh. “He’d sooner rip my head off than my clothes. Trust me.” I say and curse myself.

“So youdoknow him?”

I squirm under the weight of her wide eyed accusation. “No. I mean – yes. We met when he was here last summer. That’s all.”

In the same way the tip of the iceberg is “all”. Or the ocean is “deep.”

“How could you not tell me you met anyone last summer.” She shoves me hard enough that I slide in my seat.

I glare at her. “Sorry, I’ve been a little distracted by grief,” I snap.

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