A Two-Seater Was Never Meant for Three Chapter 03

A Two-Seater Was Never Meant for Three Chapter 03

Chloe was working hard to signal something with her eyes.

Julian, stiff and reluctant, walked over and set a coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the table.

“The hazelnut latte you like.”

Then he pulled a pink charm out of his pocket.

“Got this for you. Don’t be upset anymore.”

I reached past it for the unopened green one instead, and pulled out my phone.

“Thanks. How much do I owe you? I’ll send it over.”

The living room went dead silent.

Julian blinked, startled, brow furrowing over his handsome face.

“Who pissed you off now?”

Chloe, sensing the mood, wrapped her arms around mine and gave it a gentle shake.

“Some guys are so clueless!”

“Here, here, take this and go spend it all. Show him who’s boss.”

A bank card was pressed into my palm.

Chloe winked at me, voice full of mock resentment.

“This idiot already bought the eight-hundred-dollar premium charm last night and wanted to buy another one—I heroically stopped him.”

“He’s all talk when it comes to romance, doesn’t know the first thing about making a girl happy. Not worth getting mad over.”

“Take the card, use it however you want. Buy whatever you want until you feel better.”

Julian crossed his arms, disapproving, but didn’t stop her.

The cold edge of the card dug into my palm.

I set it down on the table and picked up the trash bag by the door instead.

“I’m not upset.”

“I need to get to work. Excuse me.”

At school, teachers exchanged morning greetings.

A young teacher had bought too much breakfast and enthusiastically offered me a cup.

“Ms. Hale, want a hazelnut latte? Good for the skin.”

Another teacher, grading papers nearby, laughed.

“She’s allergic to hazelnuts, drink it yourself.”

I gave a small smile.

Colleagues I’d known less than a year already knew about my allergy. Julian never remembered.

The star student who’d fast-tracked into grad school at Ashworth, with a memory sharp enough to remember anything—he just didn’t care enough to use it.

After my morning classes, I got a text.

From Julian.

[Train got rescheduled. Let’s grab lunch.]

[Pick you up at your school?]

I didn’t reply. When I walked out the gate, though, a car was parked at the curb.

The window rolled down, revealing that familiar, handsome face.

He nodded toward the passenger seat. “Get in.”

Ten minutes later.

The man who’d clearly regretted knowing me that morning acted as though nothing had happened.

He ran through the menu with practiced ease.

“I’ll start with these—anything you want to add?”

“Chloe’s in the final stretch before her exams, under a lot of stress. Don’t bring up this morning again.”

“After we eat, go apologize to her. Settle her nerves.”

I took the menu. My hand didn’t move to write anything down.

He could notice Chloe’s moods in an instant. But he still hadn’t noticed I’d left the group chat.

The day I passed the civil service exam, I almost sprouted wings to share the news with him.

He was traveling with Chloe, trying to cheer her up after she failed the first time.

That celebration dinner was supposed to be ours. It never happened.

I’d waited until now for it.

The joy had long since worn flat.

Might as well let this be our last dignified meal together.

The fondue pot arrived, steaming, sides laid out around it.

Julian dropped a piece of beef into my bowl, then hesitated, like he wanted to say something.

“The class reunion’s coming up this week. Are you free?”

“We could visit the old teachers too…”

His phone rang, sharp and urgent.

Chloe’s voice came through, shaking, asking for help.

“Julian, I was trying to get to the public library and I think I’m lost. It’s really out of the way here…”

He was already grabbing his jacket before she finished.

“Stay where you are, don’t move. I’m coming.”

Halfway out, he seemed to remember I was still there.

“I’ll come back after I drop her home.”

I didn’t answer.

By the time the restaurant closed, he still hadn’t come back.

I went back to school for evening study hall.

An older teacher on duty with me chatted, laughing, offering to set me up with someone.

My hand paused over the papers I was grading. I let the corner of my mouth lift.

“Sure. I’ll meet him sometime.”

This time, I really wasn’t going to wait around anymore.