“No one’s. Just look at it from his perspective. Would you want to be around someone all the time who obviously doesn’t want to be anywhere near you?”
“I see your point.”
“Yah, you better.”
The waitress arrives with our meals and we dig right in. The lamb smells divine and the meat falls off the bone, the tender and succulent meat juices rich with flavors and spices. Each bite is a moment in heaven. The salad greens are evenly chopped, enabling me to easily fill my mouth with a scrumptious serving. Salad dressing coats each cut of lettuce, exuding a zingy and rich taste.
“This is delicious. Good choice Gia.”
Gia stuffs her face with salmon. “I told you. It’s fucking awesome!”
We continue to enjoy our meal in a comfortable silence. As we finish up, the waitress returns to take our empty dishes and asks if we want any dessert. Too full to eat anything else I graciously decline. Gia, on the other hand, orders a little something.
“Damn. For a twig, you sure do eat a lot.”
Gia raises a brow. “You talking to me?”
I point a finger toward her. “Yeah you.”
She slaps my finger away. “Ha ha. I do eat, but I also work out three times a week, so it all evens out.”
My body slumps back against the seat. “I don’t know how you have the time or the energy to work out. I’d be dead.”
She glances around for the waitress, waiting for her dessert. “Working out actually gives me more energy. You should come with me sometime.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“And I’m serious. You’re not one of those people who say they’ll show up but never do, right?”
I cross over my heart with a smile. “No, no. I will. Promise.”
“Good, cause you know I would kick your ass.”
I laugh at her honesty. “Yup, already knew that.”
After Gia devours her dessert, we pay our checks and start heading out. By the time dinner is over, it’s already nine o’clock. We’ve spent the entire day together and I had a blast with Gia. It was just what I needed: a day of fun, exploration, and relaxation all at the same time.
Gia follows close as we head to the front of the restaurant. One of my shopping bags slips out of my grasp and crashes on the floor, spilling the new clothes everywhere. Folding them up quickly, I put them back into the bag and carry on, but as I start walking out, I bump into a lady.
“Oh excuse me.”
Startled, I quickly apologize. “I’m so sorry. Lots of bags here.”
I hear a familiar voice call out to the woman, “Ya ready to head out babe?”
I turn toward the sound of the voice, only to find Easton. My breath catches as he comes into focus. He notices Gia and me and freezes next to his date.
I’m confused and shocked. “Easton?”
Clearing his throat, he acts nonchalant. “Oh hey ladies.” He quickly introduces us to his date. “Heather, this is Gia and Melanie. I uh…work with them at the hospital.”
He then faces Gia and me. “And this is my fiancée, Heather.”
The blow hits me like a pile of bricks right to the gut. Shock and utter disbelief fill my mind as I listen to his words. Fiancée. I’d suspected that Easton was hiding something, but not a woman he was going to marry. He lied to me. In fact, he used me. He made me do things that I would never have thought do in a million years. But, could I blame him? It’s not like he forced me to have sex. I agreed. I wanted to do it. But would I have done those things knowing that he was engaged? Most definitely not.
I watch him with a look of fury and disgust as he slips his arm around her waist. A chilling heat rides up along my spine, causing the hairs on my arms to stand at attention. I want to yell and scream at him. The last three months were a complete fucking waste.
At that moment, it feels as though time stops. Everyone at the restaurant is frozen in place. My eyes fix onto Easton’s and all I see is red. Fucking red. My grasp becomes loose as the shopping bags slip from my fingers. I raise my hand, aiming for Easton’s face, and slap him with all of my might. His face twists in the other direction, absorbing the blow. The initial smack burns the palm of my hand, but I know it must’ve hurt him much worse.