Page 35 of Big Dix

What in the fu—

Oh, just great.I glare up as Anastasia Boyd is standing over me. I’m caught so off guard by her appearance here and the scent of alcohol pouring from her that I almost don’t even register the dig she just threw at me. Almost.

“First of all, have you had this bread? It is fucking amazing. Second of all”—I take a moment to scan her from head to toe— “you could use a few fucking carbs to soak up some of that booze.”

She huffs, and her jaw grinds for a second because I’m going to assume everyone kisses her self-important ass, and she didn’t expect someone to throw her bullshit right back at her.

“I don’t have time for this. I need to speak to Atticus.”

I don’t know her. I don’t know their situation, but I sure as hell am not telling her where he is. Bringing the bread to my mouth and taking a bite, I sneak a peek out to the balcony. Atticus is putting his phone back in his pocket, and as he turns to head in, he stops in his tracks when he sees our uninvited guest.

If looks could kill, ol’ Annie here would be dead on the spot. Atticus storms back into the restaurant, and a few seconds later, he is on the other side of me at the table. Great. I’m right in the middle of what I am now thinking is a lover’s spat.

Awesome.

“Evelyn, I’m sorry I was gone a bit longer than I had planned.” He may be talking to me, but his eyes are lasered focused on Anastasia.

“No problem.”My new motto. I shove another bite of bread in my mouth because what the hell else am I going to do on what is now the most awkward date that has ever existed.

“What are you doing with her, Atti? You were supposed to be at my house for dinner. You promised we would talk.”

Atti. She calls him Atti.I immediately hate it.

“No, Annie. You invited me over, and I told you that wasn’t happening.”

“I cooked!” she shouts and stomps her foot like a petulant child, and that shrill hyena shriek was loud enough that everyone seems to stop what they are doing, and all heads turn to watch.

You know that noise that a needle makes when it’s being dragged across the surface of a record? This moment is like that.

I raise my hand and place it slightly over my face, trying to shield myself from prying eyes because now, everyone realizes America’s ex super couple is here and in the middle of a very public argument.

“Evelyn, please excuse me for a moment while I escort Annie out.” Atticus walks behind my chair, grabs Annie by her arm, and starts dragging her toward the exit.

“No problem!” I shout as I dip my bread into the delicious sauce and shove it into my mouth. I chew the bread, ignore the onlookers, grab my wine, and take a big long-ass sip. Okay, I drink it all. I dab the corners of my mouth and lay my napkin down before grabbing my purse and standing.

Fuck this shit. Evelyn out.

I get to the door and out on the sidewalk to find Atticus shoving Annie into a waiting town car. He slams the door and bangs on the top, and as the driver pulls away from the curb, I can hear shouting, “Fuck you, Atticus! Fuck. You!”

All class, that girl.

Atticus scrubs his hands across his face, and I exit and pull out my phone to call a ride.

Mental note: never go on a date without your car.

Atticus turns, spots me, and makes his way over to where I stand. “I’m sorry. I had no idea she was coming. She called my mother, then my sister. My sister is who was messaging during our dinner. She didn’t realize I was out on a date, and she told Annie that I was having dinner here. She didn’t realize Annie was drunk and in a mood. I really am sorry. We can go back in and finish our dinner if you want.”

“Oh, I am not going back in there.” I hitch my thumb behind me, pointing at the restaurant. “That was brutal.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” He chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh with him.

“Yeah, just a bit.”

“I really am sorry. This date isn’t going so well.” He rubs the back of his neck and kicks his foot at a pebble.

I almost feel bad for him. I mean, really, it wasn’t his fault his crazy ass ex-current-whatever-girlfriend showed up. I shouldn’t hold that against him. “I will say that bread was delicious.”

“Shit. Wait here. I need to go pay. Let me make this up to you? I think I know somewhere I can take you that you will love.”

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