Page 57 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

But I am.

Harper catches the change in my expression and follows my gaze without missing a beat. Her head whips around so fast I’m surprised she doesn’t break her neck. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Nope.”

Harper’s eyes narrow as she takes in the scene. “Who’s the Barbie?”

My throat is too tight to answer.

Just at that moment, he scans the room and sees me. The smile he was flashing at the Amazonian he’s flirting with fades the second he locks eyes with me. Whatever joke he just made, it’s gone. His expression flattens and I know instantly that this wasn’t some ploy to make me jealous or try to get my attention. He clearly wasn’t expecting to see me here. I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse.

I suck in a shallow breath and start to get up from the table.

Harper grabs my wrist. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

I twist my arm free. “I just need some air.”

She’s already reaching for me again. “Lola?—”

I slip out of the booth and head straight for the door. I don’t bother to check to see if Reid watches me go. I already know he does.

The second I step outside, the cool air hits me hard. I take a deep breath but that does nothing to help. My stomach is soknotted I’m surprised I’m managing to keep my liquid dinner down.

He didn’t do anything wrong. I know that. And I have no right to be upset.

This wasn’t supposed to be anything. He’s not my boyfriend. He’s not even a friend. And it’s not like I haven’t been making my own mess. I’m the one who crossed every line. But standing there watching him smile at someone else…it cracked something inside me.

I feel stupid.

A car passes, headlights sweeping across the sidewalk, and I blink fast to clear the tears that are threatening to fall.

God, I need to go home.

I pull out my phone and order an Uber. My finger fumbles against the screen, tapping too hard.

Five minutes. I can wait five minutes for Liam in a black Camry.

I don’t go back inside, or text Harper. She’d come running out and drag me right back in, which is very much not what I need right now. Instead I breathe through the tightness in my throat and try not to unravel any further.

By the time the car pulls up, I’m even more buzzed than I realized. Everything feels floaty and out of sync. I mumble a greeting to the driver and then stare out the window as the city passes in a blur of lights.

I manage to get a text off to Harper so she doesn’t think I was kidnapped or something. I couldn’t tell you what it actually says. I’m hoping it’s not complete drunken gibberish.

My keys are somewhere in the bottomless pit of my purse. Where? I haven’t the foggiest.

I’m halfway up the steps, still fishing through my bag with rising panic, when I hear my name.

“Lola?”

I turn too fast and nearly lose my footing. Miles is standing just past the walkway, barefoot. “You okay?”

I open my mouth to say yes, but the world tilts before the word makes it out. So I shake my head instead.

He moves closer without hesitation. “Come here.”

I don’t argue. He reaches for my elbow, and helps me the rest of the way up the steps. I try the door, jiggling the handle, hoping that it’s unlocked. No such luck.

“No key?” he asks.