Page 14 of Love or Leave

He turned toward her, racking his brain, wondering why she was there, but he came up empty. "Did we have plans?"

"No," she said, waving him off. "I just hoped I'd catch you for lunch. I grabbed your favourites." She made a jerky gesture to a sandwich, a salad, and a fruit cup as her eyes darted around the room.

Antonio put away his phone and took a seat. "Maria?"

When she gazed up at him, her eyes shed their nerves and took on the pitiful look he'd grown accustomed to seeing in the last six months.

"Something's wrong," he said, speaking his internal thoughts out loud.

Maria shoulders fell forward and she looked away from him, gazing out the window toward the forested area beyond.

Antonio’s stomach rolled. "Tell me."

She took in his eyes and her head tilted slightly to the side. "Let me hold your hand when I tell you this," she said, reaching across the table.

He rolled his eyes and shook her off. "Is it about Fran?"

"She came over this morning," Maria said, her tone shifting. "Ihatethat we're neighbours."

Antonio's back stiffened. "You can't say stuff like that."

"I can say how I feel," she said, stabbing him with a glare.

Sensing a scene-making lecture coming, Antonio swiftly moved on. "What did she want?"

"To RSVP."

"Oh," he said, relief flooding his body. "So she's coming?"

"Oh yeah, she's coming," Maria said, her voice all high pitched and loud. "But she's not coming alone."

Antonio's entire body froze. "She's bringing someone?"

"Can you fucking believe that?" Maria said, sitting back in her chair and shaking her head. "I can't believe mom agreed to invite her."

"Well… I… I…" Antonio stammered, trying to gather his thoughts before they all dried up. Was Fran really seeing someone else?

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Did she say if it's serious?"

Maria shook her head. "No, but she told me who it was, and I don't think you're going to like it."

Antonio’s heart stopped. "I know him?"

"Sort of…" Maria mumbled, her gaze flicking around the room. She was clearly stalling.

"For fuck's sakes, Maria," he said, then remembered where he was and leaned in. "Who is it?"

"Blake Hunter."

Blake Hunter.He knew that name.

"How do I know that name?" he asked, racking his brain.

Maria huffed a breath. "He's that irritating guy on the news. Does all that survivor stuff."

It all clicked. Then nothing made sense again.

"Fran is dating Blake Hunter?"

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