Chapter 3
Caleb glanced at me, noticing I still hadn’t moved, and said, “Mabel came here specifically to apologize to you.”
Mabel flashed a bright smile. “I’m really sorry, Ms. Marlowe. It’s all my fault for drinking too much yesterday and making Caleb leave you alone. Are Mr. and Mrs. Marlowe alright? I honestly feel terrible about it. Lunch is on me today as my way of saying sorry, so please, don’t break up with Caleb over this.”
I took a deep breath, couldn’t help but roll my eyes, and turned to head
back inside.
But Caleb grabbed my wrist. “Where are you going?”
I smiled at him. “Isn’t Ms. Corbin treating me to lunch? I know a place with amazing food, though it’s a bit out of the way. I’ll drive ahead and lead the way. Besides, I have to pick up a friend from the airport after we
eat.”
He didn’t let go. Instead, he frowned, lowering his voice. “Mabel’s not some rich girl like you. Don’t pick an expensive place.”
I ignored him and turned to Mabel. “Ms. Corbin, is it all right if I choose the restaurant?”
Mabel didn’t hesitate at all, agreeing with a cheerful, “Of course!”
We ended up at one of my favorite five–star restaurants.
As we got out of the car, I caught Mabel giving Caleb a brave little smile, though she looked a bit resigned. “Let’s go,” she said.
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Chapter 3
Caleb’s face was stormy, and he shot me a cold glare.
I pretended not to notice. Once inside, the server handed each of us a
menu.
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When the food arrived, both Caleb and Mabel had a plain salad sitting in
front of them.
Caleb watched me dig in, his eyes full of silent judgment.
I ignored him. When the check came, the total was 6,000 dollars.
Mabel couldn’t help but gasp. “How is it this expensive?!”
The server smiled politely. “Ma’am, the bottle of red wine is 3,000 dollars.”
Mabel turned pale, pulling out her phone to pay, but she moved slowly, sneaking a glance at Caleb.
Without a word, Caleb handed his card to the server, his expression frosty. “I’ll take care of it.”
Only then did Mabel seem to relax.
I couldn’t help but smirk. No wonder she’d agreed so quickly earlier.
The moment we stepped outside, Caleb turned to Mabel. “Wait for me in
the car.”
He caught up to me in a few quick strides and grabbed my wrist. “Brielle! Is flaunting your money the only thing you know how to do? I thought you were different from your friends, but now I see you’re just like them!”
I met his glare with one of my own. “You’re overthinking it. This isn’t about showing off–I always eat like this. Since she wanted to apologize, why should I have to settle?”
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Chapter 3
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“Do you have any empathy at all? Don’t you realize what her financial situation is?”
I gave him a cold smile. “That’s why I asked if I could pick the restaurant.”
He frowned. “Who would ever-”
I cut him off. “Sorry, I don’t have time for your games.”
I pulled my hand free and headed straight for the airport.
“Brielle!” he shouted after me.
In the rearview mirror, I saw Caleb standing there, his face like stone, watching me drive away.
After picking up Elliot, we had dinner together.
It was still early, and since Elliot hadn’t been back in years, he dragged me to the mall to shop with him.
Somehow, the vibe shifted-
I ended up on a shopping spree.
Elliot trailed behind me, arms loaded with bags, never complaining once.
We’d barely stepped into another store when we heard a commotion.
“I bought this here! The tags are still on–why can’t I return it?”
Mabel?
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