003 The Guy At The Bar

Lana

I pushed the door open, and Beatrice visibly flinched when she saw me. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, and I frowned.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice laced with worry.

“It’s nothing,” she replied calmly, but she knew I wasn’t buying that shît.

“If something’s bothering you, Trixie, you can tell me. Crying in the bathroom isn’t ‘nothing,’” I said sternly. I was beginning to sound like our mom.

“It’s not, Lana. Please, just drop it,” Beatrice gritted out and walked past me.

I stood there, shocked out of my mind. What on earth is wrong with her?

I sighed and walked out of the bathroom.

When I got into the living room, Beatrice was already sitting at the dining table, and Lily was sitting beside her.

“Aren’t you going to eat, Aunt Lana?” Lily asked, and I smiled at her.

“Of course I will,” I answered and sat down to eat.

Throughout dinner, Beatrice didn’t say a word, even though Lily kept talking about her day and asking us a bunch of questions.

I made it my mission to answer all of Lily’s questions while Beatrice ate quietly.

When we were done, Beatrice cleared the table and walked into the bedroom, definitely off to sleep.

I’m really worried about her. What actually happened to her?

Lily and I watched SpongeBob on TV until she fell asleep on my lap. I carried her to the bedroom and tucked her under the duvet on my bed.

Even though I had a really tiring day, I didn’t feel sleepy at all.

I went on I*******m and used every ounce of willpower not to stalk Ethan’s profile… but my willpower wasn’t enough.

Pictures of him and Hannah were all over his feed. He kept posting about them.

No one knew he had a girlfriend he abandoned for this Hannah bitch.

How would they know, when Ethan went over the moon to make sure our relationship was kept a secret?

I quickly exited I*******m and turned off my phone.

I really need to get over Ethan.

---

It’s been two weeks, and Beatrice still hasn’t told me what made her cry that night. She apologized the next morning but refused to explain what happened.

I really want to know what brought my sister to tears, but I won’t pressure her. She’ll tell me when she’s ready, and I’ll wait for her.

“Wassup!” Jenna giggled as she walked into the kitchen while I was trying to fry some chicken.

“Your shift doesn’t start for another hour. Why are you here?” I asked, keeping my focus on the pan.

“I thought I’d come give you a hand. I’m being generous, Lana,” Jenna replied, slipping on her apron.

“Thank you,” I said, because honestly, I really needed the help.

“Just wanted to let you know that Cole’s waiting outside for you,” Jenna finally revealed the real reason she came early.

Cole Henderson.

This guy has been asking me out for as long as I’ve been working here, roughly three years.

I always turned him down because I had a boyfriend. And even now that I’m forcefully single, I’m still not ready for another relationship.

“I can’t believe you planned this with Cole,” I glared at Jenna, who only shrugged.

“I owe him a favor. Just talk to the guy,” she replied.

I rolled my eyes at her, took off my apron, and sighed.

Time to go break a dude’s heart.

I walked out of the restaurant, and Cole was waiting for me beside his car.

He doesn’t even work here. He’s a friend of Jenna’s and came to pick her up one day, that’s how we met. He’s a decent guy with a really stable job, but I just don’t want to date Cole.

“Hi,” I smiled politely.

“I honestly thought Jenna would come tell me you’d already left for your next job,” Cole chuckled in relief.

“I still have about forty-five minutes left,” I informed him.

“That’s enough time for me to ask you out to dinner,” he said with one of his charming smiles.

And maybe I would’ve melted, if I hadn’t locked my heart and thrown the key into the ocean.

“I’m really sorry, Cole, but I don’t have much free time while working two jobs,” I tried to be as polite as possible.

“It’s fine. When are you free?” he asked calmly.

“Seriously? It’s been three years,” I replied, and he sighed.

“I really like you, Lana. Just give me a chance. One date, that’s all I ask for. Just one,” Cole pleaded, and I sighed.

For three years, I’ve turned him down because I was in a relationship, even though it was secret. I made sure never to go on any dates with Cole.

But now… it wouldn’t hurt to go on a single date, right?

“Alright. My shift ends at five today,” I replied, and he actually fist-pumped the air repeatedly.

“Finally! I’ll pick you up from Stan Restaurant at five,” Cole said with a grin. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

“I’ll leave then. Bye, see you later,” I waved and walked back into the restaurant to get my things.

---

I’m currently sitting across from Cole in this really nice coffee shop he took me to.

Cole hasn’t stopped smiling since he picked me up after my shift. He’s been a real gentleman, and I have to say, I’m smitten.

It’s been such a long time since I’ve gone on a date. Ethan and I hardly ever went out because we were afraid of paparazzi. Everyone would recognize Ethan Pierce the moment they saw him.

I have to admit, this date is actually nice. I can’t believe I’m enjoying Cole’s company, even though I’m totally not ready to date again.

“I hope you’re enjoying yourself,” Cole said, and I nodded.

“This is nice,” I said truthfully. “But I really can’t date you.”

“Let’s not talk about that yet. I won’t push you. I already got one date after three years, I can wait another three if that’s what it takes for you to say yes,” Cole replied.

I chuckled, but he didn’t look like he was joking.

“We’ll see,” I said, my eyes scanning the coffee shop.

I stiffened in my seat when my eyes met a pair of piercing ones.

It was him, the guy I met at the bar. The one who ditched me.

He was staring right at me… like he could read my thoughts.

What is he doing here??