Page 138 of Forgotten Prejudice

I shrugged. “I’m not sure, but… it’s like he’s turned it down a notch, you know? Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a lot to handle.” A soft smile pulled on my lips, thinking about how ridiculous he could get. “But he’s doing better,” I said, mostly to myself.

Mom’s deep sigh pulled me out of my thoughts, and I focused on her frown.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt again.”

Leaning in, I kissed her forehead. “I know, and I’m thankful you care. But I’m fine, so don’t worry,” I said, even though it was the furthest thing from the truth.

“Why are you sulking?” I asked, half smiling, as I watched Soren stir his tea with a sour face.

“You snuck out in the middle of the night like a common thief,” he hissed before taking a sip, his mouth twisting with displeasure. “They call this tea?” He looked at the cup, his expression even more annoyed than before.

Sometimes, I wondered if he was British in his previous life.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” I said, trying not to chuckle at my passing thought.

“How convenient.”

“Hey, I felt guilty enough to come all the way here to make up for it.” I waved around the coffee shop that he insisted we go to. “So cut me some slack, okay? I already apologized for sneaking out.”

Soren placed his cup back on the table before looking me in the eyes. “I’m not some random guy you picked up at a bar for a quick fuck, and I refuse to be treated like one.”

If I had known my leaving would hurt him this much, I would have stayed till morning. “Again, I’m sorry for sneaking out without a word, but in my defense, you knew what last night was about.”

He crossed his legs and then removed his eyes from me. “Still. I’ve got pride, Ashton. And I do not appreciate being treated wrongfully.”

“And I didn’t appreciate you breaking up with me after eight years and then going radio silent, but you don’t see me complaining,” I muttered as I took the menu to check it out. Suddenly, I was sort of hungry.

“What are you talking about?”

Glancing up, I noticed his sulk had turned into a full-on frown, and not even his glasses were enough to make him look cute at that moment. I adored it when he wore those thin-framed silver glasses that made his eyes stand out even more.

“You know what? You’re right.” I looked back at the menu. “There’s no point in talking about the past.” Pursing my lips, I tried figuring out what I wanted. “I can’t choose between the chocolate cake and the cheesecake. What do you say?”

Soren’s jaw was still clenched like he had taken a bite of a lemon. Back when we were still a couple, I recognized his expressions immediately. This one was the “I have something on my mind I’d rather keep to myself” expression. I hated this one in particular.

Still, we’d come all the way down here, and I’d rather have a nice time than an awkward one. “How about we order both and share?”

“I don’t like to share,” he said bitterly just when the waiter arrived. “He’ll have the cheesecake and chocolate cake while I’ll have the fruit salad. Make sure there’s no mushroom in anything.”

“Mushrooms, sir? Those are desserts.”

“Just make sure there are no mushrooms,” Soren repeated himself, then took the menu from my hands before handing it back to the waiter, who left us alone after writing down the order with a confused face.

I guess Soren’s officially pissed.

“You didn’t have to order both. I can’t handle two pieces of cake,” I complained while he looked at me with a straight face.

“I think you’ll manage just fine.”

“Is that your way of telling me I’ve got an appetite?”

He studied me carefully. “You clearly do.”

“Why do I feel like you just insulted me?”

Finally, a small smile crept to his lips. “I didn’t, so don’t worry.”

We both fell silent for a few moments, and I took the opportunity to look around the shop, which was beautiful, while Soren looked at—