Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
annalise
“I’m sorry tonight didn’t go as planned,” Lucas says as we walk down the quiet hall of my apartment building. “It’s just my luck that your ex showed up at the same restaurant.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it, Lucas. There’s no way you could’ve known he would show up. I still had a great time.” I smile, hoping he doesn’t see that I’m lying through my teeth.
Nothing about tonight was great. It was the most awkward ninety minutes of my life. I should’ve texted Mazi and told her to call me with a fake emergency.
Maddox kept shooting death glares at Lucas all night. I’m pretty sure he was imagining Lucas’s face on the steak he was cutting into.
“I had an amazing time, too. Did you enjoy the food?”
“Yes, the steak was delicious, and those empanadas were to die for.”
“I’m glad the food didn’t turn out as bad as the night did,” Lucas teases.
I chuckle softly. “It was really nice to catch up with you, Lucas. I’m happy to hear that you’re doing so well.”
“I loved catching up with you too.” He shuffles from side to side, a blush creeping on his cheeks. “Do you want to hang out again next weekend?”
“Sure.” I smile. “I’d love to.”
His mouth lifts into a grin. “Hopefully we won’t run into Maddox again.”
“I hope so too.” I laugh, shaking my head. “Thank you again for dinner. Goodnight, Lucas.”
“Goodnight, Annalise.”
I give him a quick hug then slip inside my apartment. As I open the door, Mazi jumps in surprise.
She throws her arms up in defense. “I totally wasn’t eavesdropping!”
“Mmm hmm.” I place my purse down and walk toward my room.
Mazi calls after me. “Um, hello? Where are you going? I want details!”
“Geez, woman!” I laugh, shaking my head. “Can I change? I’m ready to take off this bra.”
“Fine! But hurry up! I’ve been waiting all night.”
I pull on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts and wander into the living room, dropping onto the couch beside Mazi.
“Sooo how did it go?” She smiles widely, pulling a blanket over her lap. “You ran into Maddox? Did I hear that right?”
Raising a brow at her, I fold my arms over my chest. “I thought you weren’t listening?”
She shrugs unapologetically. “Well, I didn’t hear everything. What happened?” she asks, eyes burning with curiosity.
“Things were going fine,” I start. I grab a pillow and begin picking at the loose threads. “We were catching up and he was telling me what it was like living in Denver. Then Maddox showed up.” My voice voice tightens. “And it became a complete disaster.”
Mazi widens her eyes, her mouth falling open. “No fucking way!”
“To make matters worse, he had a table right next to us. And he was not happy with the fact that I was there with Lucas.”
She balls her fists at her sides. “Are you fucking kidding me? He has no right to get upset. Who you go out with is none of his concern.”
“I know. He was being so possessive, and we’re not even together.”
You’re still trying to go after what’s mine.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as his words replay in my mind. I enjoyed hearing those words and seeing him get jealous more than I cared to admit.
“Was he with another girl?”
I shake my head. “Nah, he was with Santiago, Elijah, and Andrés. It was so awkward. I wish I had a cloak of invisibility so I could’ve slipped out of there.”
“How typical of Maddox to fuck things up.” She rolls her eyes. “He needs to grow up.” Scooting closer, she rests a hand lightly on my shoulder. “I’m sorry your night didn’t go well, babe.” She pauses, searching my face. “How do you feel about Lucas? Was there something there?”
“Not really… I mean, he’s a really nice guy, but—”
He’s not Maddox.
I hate that my head reminds me of this fact, but I can’t deny that it’s true.
“There were no sparks.” I pull the pillow close to my body. “We didn’t have any chemistry. But… I’m hanging out with him again next week, so we’ll see.”
“I hope it develops into something more,” she says, her voice warm. “You deserve to find love again.”
I give her a small smile as I glance her way. “How’s everything going with that girl you met from the bar? What’s her name again?”
“Aretta,” she says with a sigh, her shoulders slumping. “Yeah… It’s not going.”
“Wait, what? I thought you two clicked.” I frown.
“I thought so too,” she says quietly. “But I guess she doesn’t feel the same way. On Tuesday, I texted her asking if she wanted to go on a date this weekend, and she completely ghosted me.” She lets out a heavy, defeated sigh, her hands twisting in the blanket.
“I’m sorry, Mazi. That was a jerk move. She could’ve at least communicated.”
Her eyes glaze over and she sniffles softly. “Is there something wrong with me? All of my relationships have been failures and they never last longer than a couple of months.”
Reaching over, I give her hand a squeeze. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. You’re Mazikeen freaking Rivera—smart, talented, and a total badass.”
She swipes her eyes, a small chuckle leaving her lips.
“One day, you’ll meet someone worthy of you and everything is going to fall into place,” I say, my voice steady and reassuring. “They won’t ever make you feel like you did something wrong.”
“I’m praying that this love finds us,” she replies, the corners of her lips lifting into a soft smile as warmth returns to her hazel eyes. “But right now, I’m in the mood to watch a K-drama and fall in love with a Korean man. Wanna join?”
I laugh. “I’m always in the mood to swoon over Korean men. What are we watching?”