Page 282 of Bitter’s Sweet

He sees me.

Something moves through his face.

Then he looks at Hyde.

“She didn't have to be here.”

Hyde shrugs. “I asked.”

Bitter’s jaw tightens.

“Did she say yes?”

Every head turns toward me.

That question hits harder than it should.

“Yes.”

Bitter nods.

Only then does he turn fully toward the room.

No microphone. No grand gesture. No kneeling.

Good.

I don't think I could survive kneeling.

Hyde crosses his arms. “You wanted the floor.”

“Yeah.”

Boogie whispers to Ghoul, “Think he rehearsed?”

Bitter points at him without looking. “Speak again and I’ll rehearse your funeral.”

Boogie grins. “There he is.”

A tiny thread of tension breaks.

Then Bitter looks at me.

Not long.

Just enough.

“What I said about Sweet in this garage was a lie.”

Silence.

My chest locks.

Bitter continues before I can decide what to do with that.

“She wasn't some woman I fucked.”

My eyes burn immediately.