CHAPTER 23

ARIENNE CALLOWAY

I kept eating like nothing had happened, twirling my pasta around my fork, chewing at a leisurely pace. Across the table, Blair was staring at me like I'd just committed a crime.

"Tell me you didn't," she whispered, leaning in.

I took a slow sip of my drink, looking at her over the rim. "Didn't what?"

Blair's eyes flicked toward the guy by the washroom, still holding his nose while a waiter hovered around him.

Zayn, sitting beside me, let out a low chuckle. I could feel his gaze on me, amused but knowing. "That guy didn't just trip, did he?"

I stabbed my fork into a piece of chicken. "Not my problem if he can't watch where he's going."

Blair let out a strangled sound. "Ari! You punched him?"

I rolled my eyes, finally looking at her. "Look, he cornered me and got grabby. So yeah, I handled it." I went back to eating. "Not like I broke his jaw."

Blair blinked at me. "I— You—" She turned to Zayn. "Say something to her!"

Zayn barely looked fazed. He leaned back in his chair, his arm resting on the back of mine, like this whole thing was just background entertainment. "Nah, I'd say he deserved it."

I smirked. At least someone gets it.

Blair groaned, slumping back in her chair. "I swear, one day, someone's gonna catch you throwing punches, and you're gonna get in trouble."

I shrugged. "Then I'll make sure no one sees me next time."

She gave me a look but sighed, clearly giving up. Cole and Fay were too busy talking to notice the whole exchange, which was probably for the best.

"So," Zayn said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "How bad was it?"

I smirked, picking up my fork again. "Bad enough to make him think twice before trying that on another girl."

Zayn let out another chuckle, shaking his head. "Remind me not to piss you off."