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Chapter Ten

Zoe

I left the house, because I felt like I’d go crazy if I stayed there any longer I figured I was overdue for a night out The first person I thought to call was Howard, but I quickly changed my mind

He and I had barely talked after we’d started this little ganoreto talk to him at all I wouldn’t receive his calls because I was still a little bitter I’d only just started replying to his texts a

few days ago, and only because the bitterness in er sorely pointed at him Noondered if it wouldn’t be best for us to just stop seeing each other like this for good

It was no wonder Dad didn’t want us being together Before, I’d just figured it was hi protective, but it wasits head, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it A part of s without talking towhat I wanted, and he was being stubborn about it

Well, he is the dad, so it’s different

It still wasn’t fair, though

There was no way I could face Howard at the ame I didn’t know if he knew yet, but this affected him, too So, instead, I called a friend of mine It was a weekday, but this late, she should be off fro

“Hey, Zoe! It’s been a while How’ve you been?”

“Sorry, Kayla,” I sighed “I’ve just really been busy recently, but hey If you have so out tonight”

“Really?” Kayla sounded excited “Of course! I want to go out too but I couldn’t find so alone! Where are you? Do you want me to come pick you up? Or do we meet up somewhere?”

“We can rab a taxi”

“All right” Kayla gave me the name of the place to meet her “I’ll be there in thirty minutes”

We cut off the call Since she was going to take her ti there, I walked for a bit I was dressed in a black, knee length sheath dress and short black heels that should be fine for whatever Kayla had in ot into a taxi and headed to the place she’d mentioned, I sent her a text and realized I’d arrived early We wereat a bar I could see the inside froured the drinks would be expensive, but just as well, I didn’t plan on drinking too o home

Kayla appeared fiveKayla was shorter than me by about two inches, with red hair she had up in a ponytail and green eyes We’d known each other since high school, and since I couldn’t turn to Dad after Moone to her often when I needed soone the business track in college while I went sports and had a nine to five office job now, so we couldn’t meet up as often as I’d like

We went inside, Kayla tugging o around a few tables and people walking around We made it to the bar and found some room, then sat down

“What can I get for you, ladies?” The bartender asked, co over

The lighting in the roo The bartender was tall, probably around our age with blond hair and blue eyes Kayla gave hiht to bring h he was built and definitely handsohtest attraction to hi in my head that he was a little pretty

“We’ll have some cocktails, please Zoe, is that okay with you?”

“It’s fine”

“I’ll be right back with you”

Kayla watched hiht the shed

“What,” she said defensively “I can look if I want to, can’t I?”

“I didn’t say anything I do wonder how often you’ve been co more, ht?”

She sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear “Honestly? Yes, I have thought of it But I feel like he’s out of ives the same smile to whoever walks in here, so I don’t know if he’s interested or just really good at his job”