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squeeze the steering wheel.
    “He’s not my guy.” Is all I manage to say.
    “ Just do it for me and we don’t have to go clubbing tonight. We—”
    Before she finishes her sentence I’m out of the car and marching back to the steakhouse. I’d do anything to get out of clubbing. I open the door and the bell rings. I allow myself one deep, uneven breath before lifting my gaze from the floor. Various sets of eyes flicker to me, but the only pair I see are the brown ones connected to such a handsome face. My mouth instantly goes dry and I hate myself for it. He leans against the back of his friends’ booth with Selena’s handbag tucked nicely under his arm. His hands are stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans and inwardly, I shake my head at myself. I really need to man up. I hate feeling so little and vulnerable in front of him—in front of a stranger. I force myself to walk towards him, holding my hand out for Selena’s bag. He glances at my palm with a smirk—it’s more of a corner lip twitch, but I still want to suck it off his face.
    I clear my throat. “Can I have my friend’s handbag, please?”
    Surprisingly, he hands it to me without a word and I take it. Quickly, I turn on my heel and I head for the door, but before I make it, his friend calls out to me.
    “Hey, you!”
    I let out a slow exhale and turn, forcing my politest smile. The guy with the lousy moustache smiles at me, exposing his teeth.
    “Yes?”
    “Tell her we’ll pay her extra if she comes back in and I’ll throw in double if those full, pink lips of yours are willing to participate.” He smiles at me like I’m on the price is right and I’ve just received an awesome deal. I blink at him, repeatedly. What. A. Douchebag.
    The man in the red cap looks over his shoulder at me and shakes his head, embarrassed by his friend’s behavior. I look at Seth and his amused expression becomes murderous as he turns to his friend.
    “Show some fucking respect.” He demands in a voice that is low and aggressive, startling me.
    Moustache-face slumps a little in his seat and when his hazel eyes fall back onto me, I turn my attention back to Seth.
    “Thanks, but I can defend myself.”
    I storm from the steakhouse and don’t hear the door close behind me as I step down the small, concrete stairs. Dread slithers through my tummy because I just know he’s behind me.
    “Olivia!” Seth calls, forcing me to slow my pace. I whirl around to face him. “I’m sorry about my friends. They tend to get a little... stupid in the presence of beautiful women.”
    My stomach flutters and I drop my sight to the bland concrete for a split second. I never would have expected him to regard me as a ‘beautiful woman’.
    “It’s not your fault. We can’t control our friend’s stupidity, no matter how much we want to.” I say with a smile. “See you.”
    Turning away from him is difficult, but I manage just fine. I make sure I keep my gaze low as I climb back into the car and toss Selena’s handbag onto her lap. She watches me as I reverse from the car park and onto the highway. I pretend not to notice her staring at me, but I do and it’s creeping me out.
    “Hello?”
    I look at her briefly. “What?”
    “Um, a hottie chases you from the steakhouse and you’re not telling me anything.”
    I shrug. “There’s nothing to tell you. He had your handbag and I got it back. He followed me out to the car park to apologize for his friend’s attitudes.”
    She clasps her hand over her chest. “What a sweetheart. Are you seeing him?”
    I scoff and maybe push a little too hard on the accelerator. “What? No, we met briefly at the gym this morning and—”
    “Shut up!” She squeals. “ He is what made you forget to text me back? Did you, you know?” You know? How old are we, twelve? She erupts into a fit of giggles and I feel my cheeks burning.
    “No, I didn’t. I’m not you .”
    Selena doesn’t have the shortest or cleanest sexual relations