Chapter 3

Chapter 03

Amber was beautiful.

She was a lot taller than I was and she had a pretty figure. Her brown hair cascaded in waves all the way to her lower back, it appeared healthy and shiny. She had big brown eyes and a structured face. She was dressed in a navy blue pencil dress that perfectly accentuated her curves. She held a designer bag in hand and her heels matched the colour of her dress.

I flashed a small smile her way, "It's really nice to meet you, Amber."

The look Amber was giving me wasn't particularly unfriendly, but it wasn't nice and welcoming either. She gave me a look that practically pierced through me, like she was observing and assessing me all in one go.

"Likewise." Was all she said back.

Dean's hand went round her waist as he focused his gaze on her, speaking softly, "How are you?"

"I'm good, my love." She responded. "How was your interview?"

"It was good." He smiled at her.

"Did you have an interview with Sasha as well?" Amber asked me.

"Uh, yeah." I replied with a nod. "We just rounded off, in fact."

All she did was nod.

I was about to bid my farewell and bolt out of this very awkward situation but Amber spoke again. It came out quite abruptly like she had been thinking it and just decided to blurt it out.

"Wait, Grace, you said?" There was a light crease between her brows. "Aren't you Dean's ex?"

If this wasn't awkward enough.

Dean and I shared a look before I answered her question, "I'm afraid so."

Her piercing gaze became thicker.

"Uh, anyway," I said quickly. "It was nice seeing you, Dean and really lovely to meet you, Amber. I should be heading off now."

Dean's expression didn't really hold what he was thinking. He simply gave a friendly nod and said, "Bye Chip."

I tried my best not to let what he had called me affect me. Either that or I just made an effort not to let it show that it had, "Bye Dean."

I wasted no time in turning away from them and walking away, letting out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

* * * *

"His girlfriend?!" Chris threw his head back in laughter as I told him what had happened earlier today. "God, that must've been awful."

"It was bloody awkward, Chris." I couldn't help but laugh as well. "Awk-ward."

I drove straight home immediately I got out of the building. I texted Chris to come over before hitting the showers and changing into a simple black tank top and grey sweatpants.

Chris and I were seated on the couch in the living room, facing each other as we talked about the painfully awkward situation I had to face earlier.

"Figured." He continued laughing.

"She just kept staring at me like I wanted to steal her man, you know?" I let out a small laugh as I remembered. "It was uncomfortable, really."

"Shit." Chris made a face.

"I couldn't blame her though." I said truthfully. "I think I'd react the same way if I saw my boyfriend and his ex girlfriend laughing and being so friendly."

"Aww, you guys were laughing?" Chris cooed teasingly.

"Shut up, Chris." I laughed, throwing a pillow at his face.

"How coincidental that you two just happened to run into each other there." He said thoughtfully.

"Right?" I agreed, my brows going up. "I was literally so shocked. I wasn't expecting to see him there."

"At least he wasn't mean and didn't tell you to piss off." Chris laughed. "That is something a crazy furious ex would do."

I couldn't help but laugh at that, "Yeah, I was happy about that. I don't know, he really seems like he's moved on and in a good place."

"Well, thank God for that."

"Yup." I said, popping the 'p'.

I still hadn't let myself process everything that happened today. Frankly, I wasn't sure I wanted to. Seeing Dean made me feel a lot of emotions all at once.

Over the years, I tried my best to rid myself of thoughts of Dean or anything relating to what we had. It was easier to try and forget him than to hold on to the memories we shared.

I had to move on sooner or later.

And I did.

Or at least, I tried to.

I didn't want to let myself ponder on what particular emotion seeing him made me feel or whether or not I was stirred up by the fact that he had genuinely moved on with a beautiful girl. I didn't want to think about any of it. Those thoughts were best pushed aside.

"Anyway," I shook my head unconsciously, "how's Julian?"

"He's fine." A smile immediately spread across his face at the mention of him. "He's driving down to LA today."

"Aww, really?" I smiled as well. "That's really sweet."

"Yeah, you should hang out with us tonight." He said, casually inviting me.

I made a face, "Thank you, but no."

"Why not?"

"I don't wanna be a third wheel." I told him as I fiddled with the the band of my sweatpants. "Besides, this'll be the first time you guys will be seeing each other since you came back to LA for spring break. I don't want to be a cock block."

"You are not going to be a cock block, Grace." He said assuringly. "Come on, it'll be fun. Except you have better plans tonight."

I didn't say anything as I thought about it.

Chris threw a pillow at my face, "We're supposed to be spending as much time together as we can before you head back for England."

"Fine, fine." I succumbed. "I'll go out with you and Julian tonight."

* * * *

Chris and I stood in a bar waiting for Julian whom we were supposed to see in any minute.

Chris was way more excited about this night out than I was. He wore a dark blue button up shirt, but half of the buttons were undone, making the better part his chest and his gold necklacevisible. He also had on a black pair of jeans and a white pair of sneakers on his feet.

I, on the other hand, was dressed in a pink long sleeved crop top and blue mom jeans. The sneakers I had on were also white, just like Chris'. My hair fell down to my shoulders in loose curls and I hadn't done much for my makeup, really.

"Oh, there they are." Chris said, smiling.

They?

I followed his line of vision to see Julian walking over to us alongside a taller young man whom he had clearly brought along.

"Uh, Chris?" I muttered quietly. "Who's that?"

"Okay, before you say anything," Chris' tone matched mine. "I kind of-"

"Hey guys!" Julian exclaimed immediately he stood in front of us.

"Hey Julian." I greeted nicely, still throwing confused stares at Chris.

"Come here." Julian spread his arms out and wrapped me in a hug. "Good to have you back, Grace."

"Good to be back." I smiled as we both pulled away.

"Excuse me?" Chris waved his hands in the air dramatically. "Where's my hug and ravaging kiss?"

Julian laughed softly before taking Chris in his arms and kissing him passionately.

I caught his friend's gaze for a brief second before the happy couple pulled away from each other.

"Grace, I'd like you to meet my good friend, Marcus." Julian said smiling. "Marcus, this is Grace."

Marcus had a really attractive height. He had light brown hair which matched the colour of his eyes. The hoodie he wore was white, the jeans he had on were

black and his footwear was a black pair of vans. He was handsome if I was being honest and he had a nice and inviting smell.

He flashed a smile and extended his hand, "Nice to meet you, Grace."

"You too, Marcus." I nicely returned his smile.

"Alright, let's get drinks." Julian said, heading to the counter.

Marcus and Chris started following suit but I held Chris back by his arm, raising a polite forefinger to the other two boys.

I looked at Chris immediately Marcus and Julian were out of hearing range, "Is this some sort of set up blind double date or whatever?"

"Okay, don't get mad-"

I let out an exasperated sigh, "Chris, for the love of God."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I should've given you a heads up." He said speedily. "But I was scared you wouldn't agree to it."

"Well, you weren't wrong about that."

"Come on, Grace." He tried to give an encouraging smile. "Keep an open mind."

I scowled at him.

"And smile." He said, giving puppy dog eyes. "Pretty please."

"Ugh." I let out a defeated sigh. "Let's get this over with."

Chris and I made our way over to the barstools where Julian and Marcus sat talking to the bartender. Chris took the seat beside Julian and I took the one beside Marcus.

It seemed like Julian and Marcus had already told the bartender their orders because he looked to Chris and I and asked, "What about you two?"

"I'll just have a beer." Chris said to him.

"Fruit cocktail for me." I informed the bartender.

"Okay, coming right up." The young man said to us.

"So," Chris started, placing his palms flat on the counter, "what was it you said you do again, Marcus?"

"Uh, I'm a journalist." He answered with a small smile.

That was actually pretty impressive.

I always said that if I ever wanted to try something different from writing and publishing, it would be journalism.

Chris faked a surprised look, "Would you look at that?"

I almost threw my purse at his face.

Chris spoke again, "That means you love writing too. Grace is a very talented writer."

"Really?" Marcus smiled at me.

"Yup." I nodded.

"Come on, Grace," Chris chirped again, "tell him about your books. They're bestsellers."

"Chris," I widened my eyes, giving him a look, "stop."

"No, don't be silly, I'd love to hear all about them." Marcus said, looking at me.

"Maybe another time." Was all I said.

The bartender handed each of us our drinks and all four of us wasted no time in drinking. Chris seemed like he had given up being my spokesperson for a while as he and Julian started having a conversation.

Marcus looked at me, "So, are you from LA?"

"Yup." I answered. "Born and raised. What about you?"

"I'm from Texas."

"Texas?" I raised an amused brow. "That's great. I like Texas."

He let out a small laugh, "Me too."

Then Chris said from nowhere, "Grace, remember that vacation your family took to Texas when I was still living with you guys?"

I glared at Chris, "Yes, I remember."

The look I was giving him clearly wasn't sending the memo clearly enough because Chris kept talking, "Julian mentioned you like country music, Marcus. Grace is a sucker for country music."

"Really?" Marcus' eyes lit up as he looked at me. "Who's your favourite?"

"Luke Bryan." I responded. "You?"

"Keith Urban."

"That's ni-"

"You guys have so much in common, I'm already forming couple names." Chris cooed.

That just as well did if for me.

"Chris, for Christ's sake, can you just fucking stop?" I snapped.

Marcus and Julian fell silent.

I really hated what Chris was trying to do. It was bad enough that he ambushed me with this blind date but the fact that he was trying to act like a glorified Cupid was what got on every single one of my nerves. I sincerely had no interest in whatever this was and I was still trying to keep up the conversation just for the sake of the night but the fact that Chris couldn't shut up simply got me irritated.

I stood up from my seat and facing Marcus, I said, "Look, you seem like a really nice guy but I'm genuinely not just interested in being with anyone right now. And I'm heading back to England in less than two weeks anyway."

"Grace-" Chris tried to speak.

"It was really nice seeing you again, Julian." I picked up my purse and took out cash for my drink and placed it on the counter, using the glass to support it. "You guys just enjoy the rest of the night, I'm gonna head home."

With that, I began walking away.

"Hey, hey, hey. Grace, wait up." Chris said, jogging after me. "I'm sorry."

"Chris-"

"I'm so sorry, Grace." He apologised sincerely. "I was being really annoying and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your mood. Let's just go sit back down and we can-"

"Chris, it's okay." I cut him off abruptly. "Your intentions weren't wrong, I get that. But I just really need to call it a night and head home, okay?"

He let out a sad, defeated sigh, "Okay."

"See you tomorrow." I placed a hand on his shoulder before I continued to walk away.

_______

Thanks for reading!

~Chris xx.