Ellie's POV
I tried to focus on my conversation with Ryan, but I could feel Dominic's intense stare from across the restaurant like a physical weight. The elegant atmosphere of the restaurant suddenly felt stifling.
Marcus, never one to keep his mouth shut, called out loudly: "Are you two on a date? What, does Ellie think Ryan's better than Dominic now?"
The questions drew curious looks from nearby diners. Several couples at surrounding tables turned to stare at us. I felt my cheeks warm, but I wasn't about to let Marcus embarrass me in front of everyone.
"I think Ryan's great," I shot back coldly, making sure my voice carried just as clearly. "Much better company than some people."
A few diners chuckled at my response, which only seemed to fuel Marcus's entertainment.
Ryan looked visibly uncomfortable with the attention. His shoulders had tensed, and he kept glancing nervously toward Dominic's table. I could see his jaw working as he tried to stay calm.
"Maybe we should go somewhere
