Only the table is empty when we get there except for a shell-shocked Jackie. Past the table, I see the back of Miles and Grant as they press through the door and onto the sidewalk.
“Guys, what in the world is going on? I am so confused,” Jackie asks from her chair.
Ignoring her question, I rush for the exit.
When we get to the street things seem calm. Grant is leaning against the building, and Miles is standing on the curb, keeping his distance. Relief washes over me until I hear their conversation and realize things aren’t as civil as they appear.
“Listen, your little girlfriend fucked me over and wasted five years of my life.”
This pisses Miles off, and he’s no longer standing on the curb.
“So you thought you would fuck with her by fucking with me?” Miles says nose to nose with the assholeIwasted years ofmylife with.
Grant smirks. “Nah, seemed like a sound investment, to tell you the truth. Getting to see her face when we walked in together was just the cherry on top.”
Comments like these from Grant are to be expected, but I’ve never witnessed the rage on the face of my sweet Miles. I should probably intervene before Miles ends up in jail.
Stepping between them, I address the one person I hoped I’d never have to see again.
“Grant, how did you even know we were together, and why do you care?”
Both men look at me, but Miles doesn’t back away from him.
Unfazed, Grant answers. “Your mom follows all your Eve Villanelle social media bullshit.”
“What does my mom have to do with you and your investments?”
“Oh, that’s right, I got your parents when your stupid ass left me. God, you really are a selfish bitch.”
I feel Miles leap forward, trying to go around me to get to Grant, so I turn to face him and push him back.
“Call her a bitch again! I fucking dare you!” he yells over myhead, pointing at the asshole from my past who apparently has decided he needs to mess with my present as well.
Now, there are people watching through the restaurant window and the façade of civility is long gone.
“Miles, he isn’t worth it. Just stop.” I lift on my tiptoes to try to catch his eye, but he won’t look at me. “I’ve heard it all before. I really don’t care what he calls me.”
Miles turns away from me on the sidewalk, but only makes it two steps before he turns back in my direction, finally looking me in the eye. He stares at me for a long beat, and when he believes that I really am okay, he settles in next to me, and we face Grant standing side by side, hand in hand.
“So tell me what in the world does this have to do with my parents?”
“You haven’t heard then? Really?”
“Heard what, asshole?” Miles chimes in pulling me into his side.
“Just the fact that her dear old dad and I went into business together. He’s my silent partner in LGK Inc. Turns out, I didn’t need to marry her boring porn-writing ass to get what I wanted after all.”
All the blood in my body rushes to my head, and it feels like I’m in a fog.
“Hey, she doesn’t write porn!” I barely hear Billie yell from behind us.
“And she is far from boring!” Arianna chimes in, but it sounds like she’s a million miles away and not two feet behind me.
“My dad knew about this?” I ask under my breath.
“What’s that, baby? I can’t hear you,” Miles says.
“My dad knew you were meeting with Miles today?” I try again, finding my voice and praying I sound calm when, in reality, what tiny bit of my heart that still belonged to my parents is crumbling.