"April?" says Duke, interrupting my thoughts.
I snap my eyes back to Duke. "I'm sorry. " I'm totally distracted. "Yes, I’ll be with Bart."
Duke frowns. "Are you okay?"
"Um." I frown and tuck my hair behind my ear. Oh my God, April, stop it.
Who cares about Sebastian?
Duke takes my hand over the table. "I've missed you these last few weeks," he says.
I wanted to wait until after dinner, but I need to tell him now.
I give him a sad smile. "Duke," I whisper. "I think we both know where this is going."
I glance up to see Sebastian has now spotted me, he's glaring over here.
Duke is holding my hand.
Oh, fuck me...
This night can't get any worse.
"No, we need to make this better," Duke insists. "How can we see each other more? I know you're so busy with work."
"Sweetie," I whisper. "Remember, we talked about wanting different things?"
Duke’s eyes hold mine, and I give his hand a gentle squeeze. "I want you, April."
I smile sadly. " I don't want marriage and babies, Duke, and I know you do. I'm not holding you back anymore."
"Stop it."
"I can't say it more than I already have. It is what it is. You need to believe me this time. We can't keep having this conversation. It's not fair on either of us."
"Ready to order?" the waitress asks, interrupting us.
"Oh." Duke opens his menu as my phone beeps with a text. I put the phone onto my lap so I can read it discreetly. It’s Sebastian.
Get to the bar now!
My eyes flick up to see him glaring across the restaurant at me. He has got to be fucking joking.
Go to Hell!
A reply bounces back.
Okay, fine.
I'll come over to your table to see you.
Fuck!
This man is infuriating. I don't want poor Duke to think that Sebastian is the reason I don't want to see him anymore. I see Sebastian making his way to the bar. He picks up a menu, and then his furious eyes find mine, once more.
Christ on a cracker.
"What will it be?" The waitress smiles.
I fake a smile and open the menu. I couldn’t care less about this fucking food. First thing on the list, I choose. "Risotto, please." I snap the menu shut. "Thank you." She takes Dukes order and scribbles her notes, then wanders off.
I just want this night over with and get the hell out of here.
Ugh, men .... who dates these idiots for fun?
My phone vibrates on my lap, and I look over to Sebastian typing.
Oh my God, he cannot be serious?
My phone keeps vibrating on my lap.
Fuckk.
"I'm going to look at the cocktail special board." I fake a smile and stand.
"Already?” Duke frowns.
“Yep. What do you want?”
"Surprise me."
I casually walk over to the bar. Sebastian's eyes drop to my toes and back up to my face, and he raises his chin.
Well, bring it, asshole. I'm angrier than you.
I stand beside him at the bar and pick up a menu to pretend to read.
"What?" I whisper.
Sebastian's eyes stay fixed on the menu in front of him. "You're on a fucking date?"
My eyes shoot up to him. "Are you serious?"
"Deadly," he says through gritted teeth.
My eyes go back to my menu. "Listen here, you fucking asshole. " I smile sweetly. "I don't know what crack you're snorting, or who the fuck you think that you are—"
"What will it be?" the barman asks.
"Um." Sebastian and I quickly look at the specials choices. "Two dirty martinis, please." I smile.
"Make that four." Sebastian grimaces.
The bartender turns his back to us and gets to work.
"I'm so glad you think about me all day and dream about me all night," I whisper. "So, in your dreams, are we having a threesome with your fucking date?"
"You’re one to talk," he fumes. "You're actually dating him?"
"That's none of your business."
"It's all of my fucking business."
I can feel the adrenaline pumping through my body. Nobody pisses me off more than Sebastian Garcia.
I flick my hair over my shoulder. "Go back to your date, Sebastian."
"I'm here because my sister made me come."
"Ha! Don't insult my intelligence. You're here because she's beautiful and you’re going to have sex with her tonight."
"I'm not."
"Oh, yes, you fucking are."
"It was a blind date."
"Sure, it was." I grip the edge of the bar tightly.
"So, he's your boyfriend?" His eyes hold mine.
I look over to see Duke innocently scrolling through his phone. Damn it. Why can't Duke make me feel alive like this asshole does?
"I'm actually here to tell him I can't see him anymore. So, thank you for stressing me out before I even get the chance to do it."
"Why can't you see him anymore?"
I stare straight ahead, unwilling to answer.
"Is it because of me?"
"What?" I screw my face up. "You're delusional."
"Why, then?"
"Sebastian." I grit my teeth so I don't have a full temper tantrum. "I am not interested in talking to a man while he is on a date with another woman. Go back to her."