Relief washed over me and even though I was starving, I could wait three more hours to eat if I had to, in order to get out of there.
I stood from my seat, smoothing out the skirt I’d worn, and looked up to meet Tim’s gaze. He’d moved closer since they’d walked in the door, and I turned toward Melanie to avoid his stare.
“Nonsense, come share a table with us,” Mr. Cline suggested.
“No, really, we’d never intrude on a business meeting.” Melanie stated as she, too, stood from her seat.
“I insist, and anyway, it would be good for you actually. I should have had Margaret schedule this meeting with you, as well,” he said as he started walking away. “Plus, we already have a table and you’re here. Two birds, one stone, yeah?”
He looked back with a brief smile then said something to the hostess that made her look toward us before walking away. Mr. Cline followed behind the girl along with Mr. Stanley, and I assumed we were expected to follow.
I turned to Melanie who gave me a sympathetic look.
“What the hell was that?” I whisper-yelled.
“What? What do you want me to do? He insisted, and he’s my boss. I can’t just walk out and not accept his invitation.”
I groaned and heard a chuckle, not realizing Tim and the other guy I didn’t know were still standing close to us, waiting for us to join them.
I glared at Tim and his smile disappeared.
“Look at it this way. You won’t have to pay for dinner,” Mel whispered as she grabbed my arm and guided me into the restaurant.
I’d rather pay.
The dining area had a calming tone with white, beige, and taupe colors around the room. I was sure it was to give the occupants a sense of ease and relaxation as they dined, but ease and relaxation wasn’t something I was feeling at the moment. The anxiety of having to sit at the table with Tim and his dad was bubbling in my stomach, telling me to run as far away as possible.
We reached a round, white linen-covered table on the far side of the room. Mr. Cline and Mr. Stanley were already seated, so Melanie grabbed the seat next to Mr. Cline. I took the one next to her, hoping the guy I didn’t know would sit next to me, but I knew I wouldn’t be that lucky.
Tim sat next to me, and I tried not to let it bother me. To say I was over everything that had happened between us would be a lie. I’d spent three years of my life loving him, and then he’d thrown my love in my face. Deep down, I knew it was all for the best because my feelings for him had dwindled over the past year, but I was still hurt that he cheated on me and didn’t regret it when he was caught.
That fact alone made me want to punch him in the face as he sat down.
I turned to look at Melanie, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. I could be mad, but it wasn’t really her fault. I completely understood why she didn’t back away from Mr. Cline’s offer to join him for dinner. Having a job working with the most powerful attorney in New York didn’t come often, and I knew she didn’t want to jeopardize her position. She could easily be cast aside for some hotshot newbie wanting to make a name for themselves.
“You owe me,” I said, leaning toward her to whisper in her ear.
She ignored me as she listened to Mr. Cline talking, but I knew she heard me.
“How have you been?” I heard Tim ask as I leaned back from Melanie.
I ignored him as the waiter came to the table to get our drink order.
“Come on, you can’t ignore me all night,” he said softly as he leaned in to me.
I smiled slightly and turned toward him. “On the contrary. That’s exactly what I plan on doing.” He smiled big as if I’d just challenged him, which was exactly what I’d done. My smile fell. I knew better. I knew his games. “Could you please just leave me alone?” I whispered. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough? You could at least do me the favor of pretending I’m not here.”
“I could never do that. Not with you.”
I furrowed my brow at his comment. Not with me? What the hell did that even mean? That was exactly what he did with me.
“I’m surprised to see that Stacey isn’t with you. I didn’t realize she knew how to dislodge herself from your ass.”
He chuckled. “We’re actually not together anymore.”
That earned a surprised look from me. “Trouble in paradise already? I’m actually surprised.” The waiter placed our drinks in front of us, and I grabbed my wine and took a sip. “I'm sad for you, really. You were perfect for each other,” I said in a bitter tone.
He laughed and shook his head before meeting my gaze. "Something is different about you. You were never this forward in the years we were together."