When he was into partying, it was all great, but now he wants to settle down and I'm not there with him. For the life of me, I don't understand why.
But it is what is it, and I figure if I have to try and analyze this so hard to understand it.
Something is wrong.
"Can I get you a drink?" the waitress asks.
"I'll have a margarita, please." I smile as I hand the drinks menu back to her.
"And I'll all have a whiskey sour," Duke says with a smile.
"Okay, we have some specials on the cocktail list tonight at the bar. I can get the first one for you, but you will have to go to the bar to purchase any you want after that."
"Okay, fantastic."
She disappears through the crowd, and my attention falls back to Duke.
"So," he says. "I haven't seen you much."
I give him a sad smile. "I've just got so much on with work lately,” I pause as I try to articulate my feelings. Let's get through dinner before I lay it all out on the table. "What's going on with you?" I ask to change the subject.
"We go into a training camp next week."
"Is that here or are you going away?"
"France for three weeks."
"Fun," I smile.
The waitress arrives with our drinks. We smile and thank her when she puts them in front of us.
I take a sip. “Oh, this is good." I smile, and just as I glance over, and see three security guards walking into the restaurant, behind them I see Sebastian walking as he follows the waiter. He has a woman with him. She has long dark hair and is wearing a red dress.
Who the fuck is she?
I watch them sit down at the table. Sebastian says something, and the lady in red laughs in response. He gives her that sexy smile I've seen so many times.
I think about you all day and I dream about you all night.
What a load of fucking shit.
I snap my eyes back to Duke as my blood begins to boil.
"Didn't you say you were away next week?" Duke asks.
"Umm." I sip my drink, completely distracted by the douche on the other side of the restaurant. "Yes, with work for a few days."
"Where are you going?"
"Kent."
My eyes go back to Sebastian. He's wearing blue jeans, a cream linen suit jacket, and a white shirt. It sets off his dark hair and olive skin perfectly. I tear my eyes away angrily. Damn him.
So much for wanting me. Another lie.
Why did I think that anything that comes out of that man's mouth is credible?
Asshole.
"What's in Kent?" Duke asks my eyes travel back to Sebastian across the room.
The woman in red says something, and he laughs before he says something back.
"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."