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“She’s what?”

“I was just at Bergdorf doing some shopping, and then I got a little thirsty. So, I thought I’d walk around and pick a place with a cute happy hour deal. And then—”

“Bridget, I don’t need the whole story.”

“And then,” she repeats with emphasis, “I passed by Common Catch and saw Verity having lunch with a seriously hot dude. They were smiling and laughing. Very red flag behavior. And I know I’m supposed to be on the supportive girlie side, but I am still your number one shipper, so I can’t just stand by and pretend I saw nothing.”

“Stop. What hot dude? Did you recognize him?”

“Yeah, it’s Garrett Price.”

My knuckles turn white, gripping my phone within an inch of its life.

That dick.

That’s why he’d been so nice, because he was planning to swoop in on my girl.

Well, good fucking luck trying.

Yes, I agreed to give Verity time and said I’d respect her space, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve given up and would just let her slip away. And if Garrett Price and his suave smile think they can take advantage of that, well he has another think coming.

“I’ll be right there. Keep an eye out for me.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

CULLEN

Isprint down the street, the balmy air causing sweat to pool down the center of my back.

The lunch-hour congestion is a complete bitch. Taking a rideshare in this traffic would’ve been pointless, so the best I’ve been able to do is grab a subway that got me close to the restaurant and book it five blocks.

Bridget’s updates haven’t been helpful. They are just iterations of all the ways Garrett seems to be flirting.

How did he even know that Verity and I aren’t together?

I slow down as I get to the corner, spotting Bridget. She’s sitting on a stool inside the wine bar, sipping a glass of frosé and watching the restaurant across the street through her ginormous sunglasses. It’s a nice day out, so the wine bar has raised all the windows, exposing the counter seating in the front of the house to the street.

I slap my palm on the dark wood counter, jolting her.

“Am I too late?”

“Well, they’re over there.” She slides her sunglasses down her nose a fraction and then flicks her eyes behind me. “See him in the white shirt, pouring the red wine?”

I don’t need her description of Garrett, because I zero in on Verity in an instant. My body is trained to pick her out even in the densest crowds.

“They’ve eaten their meal and are now just chatting and drinking. It’s all very chill but also kinda flirtatious on his end. I honestly didn’t expect this based off Hannah’s updates. I thought Verity was still...” Bridget trails off, pursing her lips together.

“Still what?”

“Nothing.” She takes a deep suck through her straw, using the frosé to avoid my question.

It doesn’t matter; I have to deal with this Garrett issue.

“Hold this.”

I take off my backpack and slide it onto the counter. I smooth down the sides of my hair, straighten my suit jacket and vest, and then start heading over to the restaurant.

“Wait!” Bridget calls out. “What’s your plan?”