He slid the red box toward me. “Saw you sitting alone yesterday… It didn’t sit right with me. You don’t really have anyone else here, do you?”
Then, casually: “You book your flight home for Thanksgiving yet?“]
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I did.“]
Just not to where he thought.[]
“Send me your flight info. I’ll pick the seat next to yours.“[]
Before I could reply, Ayla’s voice sliced through the cafeteria chatter.[]
“Tanner.”
She stood there, eyes sharp, phone in hand. “You said you had ‘something important‘ to do.“]
Sometimes I wondered if she had notifications set for every time he breathed near me.[]
Tanner didn’t even flinch. “I do. This is important.“]
But Ayla wasn’t buying it.]
“You ignored my texts all day. I thought you were busy with family stuff. Or, I don’t know, actual important things.“]
Chapter 6
Her voice dipped, cold and clear. “Not this.“]
She didn’t blink. “If you didn’t want to hang, you could’ve just said so. I don’t do clingy.“[]
Then she dumped her tray loudly onto the nearest table and walked off–like I was the other woman and she’d just caught us.]]
I didn’t even look after her. “Go. She’s waiting.“[]
I wasn’t about to waste good chicken. Once I left, there’d be no more Jollibee.]
Tanner studied my face, misreading my calm as quiet victory.[]
“Wait, so you’re seriously not gonna fight me on this?“]
He leaned in, searching my eyes for a sign of the old Addie–the one who cared.]
“Do what you want, Tanner. It doesn’t involve me.‘
“D
My tone caught him off guard. He stilled, then sighed like he was the one being patient.[]
“You think I’m oblivious, but I’m not. I just feel sorry for her. Her life’s been hard.“[]
“Not everyone grows up loved like you did, Addie. You wouldn’t get it.“[]
“But even though you’ve always been loved… I still chose you. Remember that.“[]
I didn’t grace that with a response. Just dipped another piece of chicken in gravy.]]
Tanner watched me eat, a satisfied look spreading over his face. He thought he’d won.[]
He pulled out his phone, snapped a picture of me mid–bite, and posted it to his IG story with:
Another crisis successfully managed. Little miss jealous is eating again
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.