Page 82 of Return Policy

“Uh…” She glances awkwardly around the room.

“She’s outside with Seth,” Jonathan interjects casually, pointing towards the exit.

As if it’s the most normal fucking sentence in the entire world.

She’s outside with Seth.

Who the fuck is Seth?

“Thanks.” I leave them, walking towards the exit. A hand grabs my elbow, and I spin around to find Purple Skittle glaring up at me. “Yes,” I say, flustered.

“Don’t go out there acting all jealous asshole.” She raises her brows in warning.

“Excuse me?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but you havenothingto worry about,” she says with sincere eyes that only make me feel a grain of sand better.

“Who is he?” I ask, unable to help myself.

“Her ex,” she says calmly.

“Who came here for herbirthday?And I’m supposed to… what? Let him beg for her back?” I scoff.

“No. But youaresupposed to trust she’ll turn his ass down without you having to be her honey dick in shining armor.”

“Sage,” Julian coos, coming up and putting an arm around her shoulders. “Wanna dance?”

“It’s about damn time.” She looks up to him and smirks before turning her attention back to me. “Just think about what I said. Seth’s a total hothead. She needs to know you’re different. Also… Sophia doesn’t like when people help her. She’s a little too independent for her own good, so don’t go smothering her already. You’ll only push her away.”

My brain says she’s right, let Sophia handle this herself, but the liquor in my veins encourages something else entirely. I want to take Sage’s advice. I want to take it so badly I surprise even myself by walking out to the patio.

My eyes scan the outdoor space, finding Sophia and her ex near the same place I tracked her down a few months ago.

“Please, Sophia, I miss you. I fucked up so bad. I didn’t mean to—” he says loud enough I can hear across the deck.

“Oh, you’re finally ready to admit you fucked up?” Sophia asks, folding her arms over her chest, and I stride toward them.

“Yes. Please, just… give me a chance.”What the hell is going on?

“If you really know what you did was wrong, then let’s go to the police.” He glares at her, and I suck in a breath, freezing in my tracks. “Tell them the truth.”

The police?

“No.” Seth’s voice lowers, turning cold as he towers over her. “We’re not doing that. And don’t forget you’re in this with me, Sophia.” His smile turns wicked as Sophia’s eyes flicker with uncertainty, and a chill runs down my spine. “We’re tied together for life.”

For life?

What did you get yourself into, baby?

“So would you just stop pushing me away?” he tells her. “I fucking miss you.”

Sage’s words run through my head, reminding me not to be a hothead. I take a deep breath, exhale slowly, then proceed towards them as calmly as possible.

“Hey, Soph,” I say, smiling and pretending to not have heard the entire insane conversation that has a million questions running through my mind faster than Usain Bolt. Questions that can wait until a night that’s not her birthday.

“Hey.” She shifts uncomfortably.

“Do you mind, dude?” the dick says, scowling at me. “We’re kind of in the middle of something.”

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