Page 118 of Reluctantly Yours

The waitress walks over to take our order.

“We’ll take one of everything.”

“Excuse me?” She looks panicked.

“He’s kidding.”

“No, I’m not. She can’t decide, so we’re going to try everything.”

“That’s a waste of food. We won’t be able to eat it all,” Chloe argues.

“Fine. We’ll take one of each from every section. Chef’s recommendation.”

The waitress looks between us and smiles, then jots it down on her notepad. “Sure thing.” She gathers the menus and leaves.

“What do you have going on this wee—” I begin, but Chloe’s attention is on the front windows of the restaurant, her eyes narrowing as she stares intently.

“Oh my God. Is that Frankie?”

I turn around to follow Chloe’s stare.

Outside the window, on the sidewalk, is a woman in a tight mini dress and heels with a man’s arms wrapped around her waist while they both lean over the menu posted by the door. It is Frankie. And Vance from the club.

Fuck.

I turn my attention back to Chloe, but her eyes are still on Frankie and her sidepiece.

Our booth is quiet as she takes in the scene behind me.

“That is definitely Frankie! Oh my God, Barrett! They’re making out. She’s cheating on Fred.” Chloe’s eyes widen, her nostrils flaring in outrage. “Can you believe this?”

I struggle to find the words. “It’s awful. I feel for the guy. He adores Frankie,” I say.

“You’re going to tell him, right?” Chloe asks.

“What?”

“That you saw Frankie kissing another guy. You have to tell Fred.”

I lean into the backrest of the booth. I’ve seen them doing way more than kissing.

Chloe shifts her gaze back to me. It’s clear the moment that she realizes I’m not as surprised by this discovery as she is.

“Wait. Did you already know this?” she asks.

While not telling Chloe that I saw Frankie and Vance together was an omission, I can’t outright lie to her face.

“Yes. I saw them together. At the club. A few weeks ago. He’s a tennis pro there.”

“What?! Why didn’t you tell me?”

I pause, wondering what the issue is. “Why would you need to know?”

That question doesn’t go over well.

“Um, because their relationship is the reason we’ve been fake dating.”

“That was before. We’re together now.”