me, spending most of her time with Ryan, "helping him deal with the l

of a shared life. I called the restaurant group in Austin and f

r bought with my first big paychecks. I wouldn't need all of it in the new, fully-stocked rest

egotiating a price for a set of

e and

hers as he leaned over to show her how a particular model worked. They looked like a couple pic

slow, mocking grin sp

ert opinion. Nicole can't decide b

mbarrassment. She pulled away from him,

d pulled out her car keys.

o me. "Ryan's giving me a ride. Can

ed. She couldn't eve

nding disrespect. I didn't say a word. I just took the keys from her hand,

must have hit her. She called m

a mess. Let me take you to dinner tonight. A s

as a grand gesture, meant to wipe the slate clean. Against my better judgment,

have know

to a prime table. And sitting there

n. Nicole just stepped out to take a call. She thoug

as a prop in their

Nicole was suddenly t

im out. We need to talk

was watching us with amusement. I w

flat and empty. "I'm not an accessory to

restaurant, and didn't stop un