Once You’re Mine: Chapter 22

My ex-fiancé.

At my job.

Where I’m dressed in torn jeans and an overly-worn t-shirt with my hair in a ponytail. It’s so far removed from the put-together, posh appearance I’m used to presenting. Without my pearl necklace, I’m even more removed from my old self, but I can’t hide behind my casual attire.

Adam will definitely recognize me.

His charcoal overcoat and olive-colored scarf are achingly familiar. Not because I miss him, but his presence reminds me of another lifetime, the one before my family fell from grace in so many ways. Looking at my ex threatens to unlock a chest of memories filled with tender moments, companionable silences, and laughter.

Not just with him, but with my father.

My breath catches in my throat, and I force myself to exhale, to release the remnants of my past. There’s nothing to be gained from lamenting over what I’ve lost. Even if my heart still aches.

Adam’s gaze locks on me, and surprise registers on his handsome face, but it’s quickly hidden by a mask of indifference. The chill of his response slices into me, cutting me open and allowing my insecurities to bleed from me. They cover me now, and tears prick my eyes. I fist my hand, stabbing my palm with my nails to keep from falling apart.

I won’t give him the satisfaction.

“Hello, Calista,” Adam says. His voice is just as I remember it, smooth and compelling, instantly able to put someone at ease. Too bad I’m desensitized to that. And to him. “It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.”

He nods, his brown eyes clear, instead of clouded with warmth. Or regret. I’ll never understand how I thought I loved him, how I gazed into those eyes with affection and thoughts of a future together. Not when the man I was supposed to marry dumped me because of my father’s indictment.

Adam didn’t even wait for the final verdict.

“How are you?” he asks.

I want to spew my troubles at him, to lay them at his feet, but I refrain. I don’t want him to know the part he played in my struggle to survive. The one I battle daily.

“I’m fine. What can I get you?”

“A chai latte.”

I grab a cup and the permanent marker and write his order on there. After walking over and handing it to Harper, who’s eyeing me like a hawk, I return to the register and give Adam his total. He pulls out a hundred dollar bill.

“Keep the change.”

Anger, hot and burning, swells in my chest and heats my face. I glare at him and count his change back to him, slapping the bills on the counter. As well as the coins.

“I don’t need your pity.”

Harper comes to stand beside me and juts her chin at Adam. “Who’s this idiot?”

Between my fury and my nerves zipping along my skin, I nearly burst out laughing at her crass behavior. I should have expected it, but somehow my friend always surprises me. And I love her for it.

“Harper, meet Adam Thompson, my ex-fiancé. Adam, this is Harper, my best friend.”

She nods once and picks up the Sharpie to scribble something on his cup. Then she gives him a saccharine smile. “Here’s your order. I hope you get run over by a bus on your way out.”

My eyes widen, enabling me to clearly see the strikethrough on Adam’s name, as well as the new word added. Dickhead.

I burst out laughing. The insult registers, and Adam glares at Harper, his facade cracking enough for us to see his irritation. She makes a kissing noise at him and gives him the finger, which only has me laughing harder. When tears spring to my eyes, they’re not from sadness, which is a relief.

My ex is quick to save face. He snatches up his money and tosses his coffee in the trash on his way out. My amusement continues even though I think that’s a wise decision. I wouldn’t put it past Harper to have some laxatives nearby, reserved for “special customers.”

“I can’t believe you wanted to marry that asshat,” she says.

I wipe the tears from my eyes and nod. “It’s true. But in my defense, I didn’t know that he was a shallow jerk.”

“I forgive you.”

“Thank you.” I grab her hand and squeeze it gently. “I feel like I should hug you again.”

She winks at me. “Only one hug per shift. I will say, today has been crazy. It’s probably good we’re going out tonight. You really need it.”

I’m not sure I agree, but one thing’s for sure: the men I’ve been attracted to suck. With Adam gone, that just leaves Hayden.

And I’m not certain I’ll ever be rid of him.