Page 79 of No One But Us

On the way out of the house that afternoon, Martin stops me, making me wish I’d gone in with James when his shift started instead of petulantly insisting I’d walk. I’ve only seen Martin from afar since the incident, but he has picked the wrong day to fuck with me, if that’s his plan.

“Thanks for getting me disinvited to all the parties,” he says.

“After the shit you pulled, you really think anyone wants you over here?”

“It was worth it. I’m enjoying your panties very much.”

“It was a bathing suit, not panties,” I reply, turning away. “Shocker that you don’t know the difference.”

My mood was already piss-poor. After the incident with Martin and the walk to work, it’s shifted into something far worse. I get into the restaurant, sweaty and miserable. James watches me log in, and I ignore him. I spend the rest of the night giving all of my orders to the other bartenders. I know it’s childish, but I just feel like I could fall apart at the drop of a hat. Or at a single word from James’ mouth, even a kind one. Especially a kind one.

“What’s up with you two?” asks Kristy.

“We’re having a little disagreement.”

“About what?”

“James…” I begin, and then shake my head, suddenly choked up. “Just doesn’t see things with us the way I do.”

She frowns. “I don’t know what he said, but it’s been obvious since your first day here that he’s crazy about you.”

“If that were true he’d be willing to...” My voice cracks. “I just can’t believe…” I’m unable to continue, and she lets it go.

This is what I would have said:

I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner.

Chapter 47

ELLE

The cop we met earlier in the day leaves a message during my shift saying counsel won’t have an answer on the restraining order for a few days.

Ginny’s back from her trip when I get home. I kind of wish she wasn’t. I don’t really have it in me to feign good cheer at the moment.

“You okay?” she asks, frowning at me in the mirror.

“Yeah,” I say, struggling to smile.

She hesitates. “I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with since the weekend Allison was here. I’m sorry.”

“You think I’m like my parents,” I say flatly.

“I don’t,” she insists. “Really. I just...let’s just say Allison stirred up some shit, okay? But I’m sorry.”

“Okay.”

“So are you excited to see Ryan?”

“No, not particularly. Are you excited to see Paul?”

She narrows her eyes at me. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You’re aware that seeing him on stage isn’t going to make him seem less attractive to you, right?”

She shrugs. “I’m not sure I was all that attracted to him in the first place. I was just looking for a substitute, and he was the first one I found.”

“For Alex?”