He hides a smile. “Do you call me that?”
Now, this can go one of two ways. “Yes, but it’s stuck now. It’s your name. I’m sorry. Anything else doesn’t sit right.”
He laughs out loud, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
Before I can join in, I notice someone approaching. My blood runs cold as Twitch grabs a chair from a nearby table and slides it between us.
I cough, trying to mask my shock. “Um... is everything alright?” I ask, my voice tight, wondering what the hell he is doing here.
He gives me a sly smirk. “Yes, everything’s all good. How’s your date going?”
The blood rushes back to my face, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Twitch’s devilish grin only makes it worse. He’s here to ruin my date. “Why are you here, Twitch? Can’t we have this chat another time?” My voice grows harsher with each word.
He chuckles, completely unfazed. “All good. Just thought I’d check up on you.”
I glare at him. “Well, everything is great, so you can go now.”
He looks me dead in the eyes, his lit up with amusement. “Nah, I think I’ll stay.”
I turn to Edward, mortified. “I’m so sorry about this... intrusion.”
Twitch looks at Edward, his grin widening. “Oh, you don’t mind, do you?”
He gives me a funny look but smiles politely. He’s taking this well. Most men would have gotten angry at Twitch. “As long as it’s okay with Milly.”
I open my mouth to object, but Twitch cuts me off. “We’re best friends; she’ll be fine.”
“Best. Friends,” I spit out, my tone dripping with sarcasm.What is he getting at?
Edward stands, clearly sensing the tension. “I’ll go to the bar. Let the two of you talk.”
My breath catches. “No, it’s okay. Twitch is leaving.”
Twitch grabs my drink and takes a sip, completely ignoring me. I scoff. The nerve of him!
“I’m staying,” he says with a big-ass grin.
I take a few deep breaths, trying to keep calm.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Edward says, walking away. I watch him leave, feeling terrible that Twitch drove him away.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper-yell, my frustration boiling over.
Twitch finishes my drink and leans back in his chair. “The real question is, what areyoudoing here? I mean, you deserve the world and all, but...” He looks around the restaurant, lifting his nose. “This isn’t you.”
I huff. “Can’t I go to fancy restaurants?”
He shrugs. “You seem more chill. Like you’d be happier ordering takeout.”
He’s not wrong. I love being in my pajamas, eating takeout in the comfort of my home. “What’s your point?” I snap.
“Why’d you say yes to go on a date with a man you don’t like to a place you don’t even care about?”
I don’t like the accusatory tone in his voice. “Why aren’t you back at home looking after Mercedez?” I throw back in the same sharp tone he used.
He cringes. Low blow, but if the shoe fits. “I’m trying to deal with all that,” he mumbles.
I immediately regret my words. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what came over me.” Being spiteful isn’t who I am. “I guess I hate that we never got a chance to decide what we were going to do. She kind of decided for us... and still is.” I rub my chest, feeling vulnerable.
