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“How about we go for a walk through the park after? That could be nice.”
She nods. “We probably should have gone someplace further away. After Monday, we’ll likely come here a lot as it’s a short walk from the new house.”
I lace her fingers through mine. I don’t care if that means it’ll be difficult to eat. “I can’t wait.”
“How do you think it’s going to be? With Darla? Be honest.”
I sigh. “Honestly? I just don’t know. She’ll probably never leave her room.” I run my thumb across her knuckles. “I’m just sorry I’m going to have to leave for a business trip the next day.” Other than the one night in the city, I haven’t traveled in over a month, what with getting my house ready to sell and the move. I shake my head. “I should cancel.”
“You can’t do that. It’s going to happen sooner or later, so we might as well get used to it. Asher, it’s going to be fine.” She steals one of my fries and dips it in ketchup. “Well, maybe not fine. But we’ll get through it. It might even be good for us. You never know.”
“I’m glad you’re being optimistic.” I squeeze her hand, kiss the back of it, then release it.
Allie takes a bite of her meal, then completely tenses when a group of guys walk in the front door.
I tickle her ribs and joke, “Ex-boyfriend?”
She swallows, looking a bit green around the gills. “Actually, yes. Blue shirt.”
Her eyes close and it seems like she’s trying to sink into the booth and become invisible.
“Wait, that’s nottheex-boyfriend, is it?”
She nods, still not opening her eyes.
“I thought he moved away,” I snarl.
“He did. But he still has friends here. I haven’t seen him in, I don’t even know how long. At least five years. Has he noticed me?”
“No.”
The reason I know this is I haven’t taken my eyes off the snake since she told me who he was.
“He’s sitting at the bar with his back to us.”
Finally she opens her eyes. But she’s lost all interest in eating, and I can tell she no longer wants to be here. I raise my arm as the waiter walks by and ask for the check. “I think it’s time we go on that walk. If you’re still hungry, we’ll go for ice cream after.”
She nods, looking sad.
I hate it when she’s sad. I live my whole goddamn life now with one objective: making her happy. After everything she’s been through, she deserves it. She doesn’t need to sit here and be reminded of her tragic past.
I pay the tab, never letting my gaze stray from the asshole at the bar. When we get up to leave, I block her view of him with my body. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
On our way to the door, Blake yells, “Leaving so soon, Allie?”
Fuck.
My head whips around at the same time the asshole’s does. His eyes immediately land on her face. Then her belly. Then me. He stands and takes a few steps toward us. I hold up my palm. “That’s far enough.”
He has the audacity to snicker. “Guess my reputation precedes me.” He stares at Allie’s stomach. “Looks like you did it again. Is this one going to stick, or is it going to be gorked out like the other one?”
I don’t even think about it before my fist meets his jaw. It just happens—like I’m out of my body and not even me. His head snaps back and blood spatters the floor behind him. He stomps his foot three or four times at the pain, then stands straight up and squares off. “What the fuck?”
He raises his fists, but before he can retaliate, a dozen people stand behind me, including two of Allie’s brothers. Word spreads fast in this town, and apparently everyone knows what a loser this guy is.
Cooper Calloway, one of the owners of the pub, comes over. He stares Jason down and points to the door. “I think you should leave.”
“Seriously?” Jason looks at Cooper like he’s the one who’s been wronged. “This guy just fucking hit me.He’sthe one you should be throwing out.”