Liz was clearly irritated. If she had known Zac and Xena would be here today, she never would have picked this restaurant.
Zac’s expression turned even colder as he snapped, “I’m talking to my girlfriend. What does that have to do with you?”
Since she had made it clear they were no longer involved, he figured he would just throw her own words back at her.
Liz took a deep breath, trying to keep her anger in check. She didn’t want to argue with him. Instead, she turned to Ethan and said calmly, “Sorry about this. Maybe we should try another ce?”
If she couldn’t win against Zac, then avoiding him was the next best option.
But Ethan shook his head with a warm smile. “It’s fine. Let’s stay. I don’t mind.”
Since he said that, Liz didn’t insist. She nodded. “Alright.”
The restaurant gradually quieted down. Just as Liz was trying toe up with a new topic to lighten the mood, Ethan beat her to <ol><li></li></ol>
“By the way, how’s your ankle?”
“It’s almostpletely healed. I was really lucky to run into you that day.
Ethan smiled. “I’d say I was the lucky one. Liz, actually, back in high school, I—”
tter!
A loud crash interrupted him. A te had fallen from the next table.
Liz forced herself not to look in Zac’s direction. She kept her eyes on Ethan and said with a smile, “What were you about to say?”
Meeting her curious gaze, Ethan hesitated. Maybe now wasn’t the right moment to say what he had nned.
He chuckled softly instead. “I was just going to say I didn’t know much about you back then. You hardly spoke in ss, and we didn’t get many chances to talk. I just remember you were always with a girl from the ss next door. You two walked to and from school together every day.”
Liz nodded. “Her name’s Jane. We’re still best friends.”
To her, those years of high school were painted in gray. Not something she liked thinking about.
“I remember her name. Oh, by the way, our ss president made a group chat for old ssmates. Want me to add you?”
Liz hesitated. She had forgotten most of her high school ssmates. Even if she could recall a name or two, she probably wouldn’t recognize their faces.
Noticing her reluctance, Ethan smiled and added, “No pressure. If you ever change your mind, just let me know and I’ll add you then.”
Liz felt a slight sense of relief. “Thanks. That works.”
The two of them kept chatting casually. If it weren’t for Zac constantly making noise next to them, the dinner would have been rxing and pleasant.
After the meal, Liz paid the bill, and she and Ethan walked out of the restaurant together.
Ethan had to work overtime that evening, so they said goodbye at the door.
Liz watched his car disappear down the street, then turned and walked toward the shopping mall nearby.
Maybe it was because they had just been talking about high school, but her mind kept drifting back to those years. The memories soured her mood.
She wandered through a few stores but didn’t see anything she liked, so she decided to head home.
Back inside the restaurant, after Liz and Ethan had left, Zac set down his utensils and looked at Xena.
“Are you done eating?”
Xena nced at her te, where she had barely touched her steak, then at Zac’s grim expression. She quietly put down her
utensils.
“Yes. I’m full,”
“I’ll drive you home.”
Without waiting for a response, he stood up and walked out.
The car ride was silent.
When they finally pulled up in front of her apartment building, Xena looked over at him and asked, “Do you want toe up for
a bit?”
Zac shook his head. “No. I’m tired. You should get some rest.”
Xena bit her lip and looked up at him. “Mr. Lincoln, be honest. Do you still have feelings for Ms. Smith?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the air in the car grew heavy.
Zac didn’t answer, and she sat there waiting, refusing to let it go without hearing the truth.
After a long pause, he finally turned to her. His voice was gentle, but the words cut deep.
22