Chapter 1 #3
“Besides, I just want to concentrate on finishing high school right now,” I quickly added.
The last thing I needed was another lecture about my future.
I loved her to bits, but Norma was never afraid to tell me her honest opinion.
And I got enough of that from my mom. “College is forever away, and anything could happen in the next year. Who knows, maybe I’ll even learn to stop my heart from shattering every time I see Nina and Levi together. ”
“Oh, Isobel.” Norma gave me a sad smile. “You might not believe me, but sometimes the sweetest things in life flourish from the hardest. I have a feeling everything is going to be much better before you know it. You’ll see.”
“I hope so,” I murmured, but I wasn’t convinced. It was far more likely this was another of Norma’s doomed predictions.
“Do you want me to take over their table for you?”
“No, it’s okay. I need to do this.” It would have been so easy to agree, but I had to face Nina and Levi if I ever wanted to move on. Plus, I was far too stubborn to let them know they’d gotten to me.
“We can always spit in their coffee, if that will make you feel better?”
I laughed. “No, I have to believe much stronger karma than a bit of spit is coming their way.”
“That’s my girl,” Norma said. “But, if you change your mind, I have no problem getting in trouble with your mama for a little revenge. In fact, this might be the one time she’d be okay with it.”
“Thanks, Norma. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I took a deep breath before I headed back out onto the café floor and did my best to switch off my mind as I got back to work. My body seemed to move on autopilot as I did everything in my power to quell the surge of emotions trying to drag me under as I served them their drinks.
I wasn’t sure how I managed to survive the rest of their stay at the café—especially when it seemed Nina was going out of her way to paw at Levi whenever I was close by.
It was a miracle I didn’t lose my composure, and I had to bite my tongue several times to stop myself from uttering the cutting remarks that so easily came to mind.
I thought the torture was finally over when the pair paid their bill, but as I headed down the hallway leading from the café to the kitchen, I heard my name being called out.
I stopped and turned to see Nina marching toward me.
“You’re not supposed to be back here,” I said as she stopped in front of me.
Nina shot me a strained smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You never had a problem with me coming back here before.”
“Well, things were different back then.”
“Yes, I guess they were.”
I folded my arms over my chest, struggling to keep my cool. “Is there something I can help you with?”
The smile fell from her lips as she eyed me. “Look, I came here hoping to bury the hatchet between us before we start our senior year, but I don’t know how you expect me to do that when I saw the way you were looking at Levi. I just wanted to make sure you’re not going to try anything.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s not your boyfriend anymore, Isobel, and it’s pretty rude that you were making eyes at him when I was sitting right there.”
“Are you serious?” I scoffed. “I wasn’t making eyes at him.”
If anything, I had been trying my hardest not to show how wounded I felt. The last thing I had on my mind was flirting with the guy who’d broken my heart.
Nina folded her arms over her chest, mirroring my stance as she stared me down.
“You obviously were. It’s sad enough that you haven’t moved on from him, but it’s clear I’m going to have to spell things out to you.
Levi doesn’t love you. He loves me. And I don’t want you getting any ideas once school starts. ”
She was looking at me as though I was some evil mastermind who had spent all summer planning my revenge rather than licking my wounds.
“So, let me get this straight,” I said. “You steal my boyfriend, tell lies about me to all our friends, and, as if that’s not enough, you now feel the need to come and warn me not to do the same thing.
” I shook my head, disgusted with her. “Is that why you dragged Levi in here this morning? You must be feeling pretty insecure about things between the two of you if you felt the need to shove your relationship in my face and threaten me.”
“I’m not insecure about us.”
“Right.” I raised my hand in front of her as she opened her mouth to continue.
“I’m sorry, Nina, but I don’t have time for this.
I have to get back to work.” I took a step to leave but paused and looked over my shoulder.
“If you’re already worried about your new boyfriend dumping you or cheating on you, then perhaps you should have a think about the kind of guy you’re dating.
What’s that line? Oh yeah, once a cheater, always a cheater. ”
I walked away before she had a chance to respond and could practically feel the wrath radiating off her as I left.
Thankfully, she didn’t follow me for round two.
Although I was certain she’d have something in store for me on Monday, right now, I didn’t care.
That was Monday’s problem, and I had far more pressing issues to worry about.
Like the fact that while Nina had been yelling at me, my shift had ended.
And that trip I’d been trying not to think about?
Well, I’d rather face my ex-boyfriend again.