Page 40 of The Man I Once Hated

But Edward reaches out to touch my hand. Zoey spots the move and her jaw twitches.

“It’s okay,” he says to me and turns back to Zoey. “You know how it is with work. We’re around each other all day and sometimes we get to talking, that’s all. And tonight I was either going to go drinking with the crew and listen to the same old stories for the hundredth time… Or I was going to come out here and do something different for a change.”

Zoey narrows her eyes. “Sometimes you get to talking… That’s all.”

“That’s all.” Edward shrugs easily, not one ounce of tension in his demeanor. I’m almost envious of how cool he can play these things.

“Well, I’m happy there’s one more person I can count on to not throw shoes at my head.” Alex stands up and grabs her guitar. “I’m going to go tune up in the back. My set starts in a few minutes.”

“Shoes?” Edward mouths the word at me, his smile dropping for the first time to be replaced by a look of open concern.

I can’t help but laugh. “It’s a long story, but hopefully tonight’s crowd is more reserved.”

“Cara?”

It’s a familiar voice, but one I didn’t expect to hear in Milton’s. When I look in the direction of it, Luka is making his way over to our table from the bar. Without hesitation, he takes up Alex’s freshly vacated seat.

“I was just about to call you,” he says, totally ignoring both Zoey and Edward.

I feel the latter tense up beside me, and can just imagine the glowering look on his face. I can’t see it though, because I’m still stunned to be looking at my co-star. In Milton’s, of all places. On the night I show up with Edward? The odds are by no means in my favor, that’s clear.

“Hey, Luka,” I force a bright smile. “This is my roommate Zoey, and you know Edward.”

He nods in Zoey’s direction, and doesn’t so much as blink at Edward. The bad blood runs thick between them ever since that first confrontation. With Zoey’s suspicion and Luka’s total disregard, the tension at the table suffocates me.

“So, why were you going to call me?” I ask, trying to move things along.

“It’s the cast mixer tomorrow night.” Luka takes the liberty of pouring himself a beer from our pitcher without asking. “I wanted to ask you to be my date. Officially,” he adds after taking a lip-smacking sip.

Great. The hits just keep on coming. I’m smiling at him but can feel both Zoey and Edward staring at me. For Zo, she’ll be studying my reaction so she can determine whether I’m lying about Edward. And I know Edward will be watching for any invitation to take Luka out back and beat the shit out of him.

“I’d like that,” I finally respond, making a snap decision.

It’s a lose-lose situation anyway. I might as well lose in the direction of my best friend.

18

Edward

I’m used to parties being a little more on the raucous side, with a dash of debauchery for good measure. But there’s no way I was going to pass up the boring as hell mixer after what Luka pulled last night.

“Mr. Spencer, can I interest you in a duck salad wonton cup?” The waiter pushes into my line of vision, blocking Cara and Luka from where I’ve been watching them from across the room.

I grunt at her, instantly annoyed. “Does it look like I’m interested in duck salad wonton cups?”

Her chirpy smile falters a little as she decides whether I’m kidding or not. I recognize the fear in her eyes only because I’ve caused that reaction with so many people on so many occasions. She’s worried that she’s done something wrong. Not just that, she’s worried I’ll take it up with her boss.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she mumbles and swiftly takes her tray of duck over to another group of people.

Cara and Luka are still at it–being the ‘It’ couple of the evening while people fawn over them and the great work they’re doing. I throw back the rest of my Bourbon, enjoying the burn as it goes down. I know she told me this is just to keep up appearances, but she’s looking awfully cozy on his arm right now.

“Starting early, Eddie?” Miranda asks. She motions her head in the direction of the waiter I’ve just scared off.

I wonder what it’s going to take to get people to leave me alone so I can stalk Luka in peace, but smile at her anyway. No need for her to know the details of what’s going on here.

“You’re looking lovely, as always.” We clink our glasses together, reminding me that mine’s empty. “Bar?”

“Great idea,” Miranda says, falling in step beside me. “I wanted to run something by you.”

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