Ex Marks the Boss

ace, bright orange soaking into the

nto a plate. Someone inhales sharply. The hum of conversa

t the right amount of effort, gleams under the soft lighting. Droplets of sticky cit

until I found out it was a hand-me-down from his fat

t as if he can stop the dama

t. Taking my time, I smooth my hands over the silk of my dress-black, sleeveless, hugging every curve

han's furious

wo weeks ago." I reach for my silver

he marble floor as I walk away, each step crisp and sure. The weight of a

atch. Let

y where he belo

tside. The city hums with life-cars honking, distant laughter spi

ashing away the lingering scent

e a hand an

slide into the backseat, crossing my legs, m

er asks, glancing at me

ean back against t

hese

e. Before him, there was Dylan.

t Mistak

n a way that made girls lean in when he spoke. His black hair always looked slightly tousled, as if he had just rolled

ave kept m

e after class, asking me to come over. "Just for a li

ur, and I had a rule-I didn't

ion. Call it

ly, wasn't a fa

he had joked, his fingers playi

pouting. Pouting turn

and he had the audacit

you next to me," he had sai

the most manipu

antrum. And just like t

ave been h

ly? I wa

nd Mista

r, I thought

ooked a little messy, like he never quite figured out how to style it. His hazel eyes held a mischief that made his jokes

ought I had final

arm slung over my shoulders and a whiskey tumbler in

guy to spoil her is ju

me. Right in fro

eard. His friends chuckled awkwardly, but Dylan? H

slide. Fo

rted payin

ace. Meanwhile, I had bought him coffee, little gifts, a cap he mentioned liking

? We split

y wasn't eve

rinki

k after class. But then I noticed the pattern. His tumbler was n

'd say, slurring slight

was neve

teasing turned sharp. The laughter lost its warmth. His patience thinned

d one night, whiskey thick on his br

ast, I think he s

ow? E

e nerve to get angry becaus

ad started so

t unbuttoned just enough to tease. The Rolex glinting under the rest

on the cheek, pulled out my

me, a whiskey for him. The conversation had been light, p

his drink, he leaned i

d come ove

fork hovering ove

said smoothly.

er of my lips with a napkin. "Ethan,

ugged.

name, let alone enough abou

. "Come on, Ava

nd

e you making such a

voice steady. "Becau

le

He l

ugh-a dismissiv

coffed. "I thought

up my glass and threw

a pothole, snapping

a bitter smile tu

hese

be done w

lls me my luck i

xt man I meet is about to

this

make it ou

-

de the transitions smoother, and kept the drama