Chapter 54: Chapter 54: He’s Mine

Blake’s face went pale and he looked at the girl standing behind me. “Emily, hi. I was… um, what are you doing here?”

“Duh, my uncle’s the manager.”

His cheeks flushed pink and I turned to see a tall, slim girl with perfect makeup, perfect hair, and a perfect, designer-label dress. I recognized her from my magic lesson as one of Felicity’s friends.

Blake pulled himself together and it was like flipping a switch. “We’re not together anymore Emily, so, if you don’t mind, Maddie and I are trying to enjoy our dinner.”

She moved out from behind me. “You bastard! Is this why you dumped me? Is she why you dumped me?” She pointed a long, perfectly-manicured fingernail at me with a look of disgust. “She isn’t your type. She isn’t from money. She isn’t from one of the good families. What’s wrong with you?”

She is sitting right here.

“This is none of your business, Em. Just leave us alone.”

She let out a string of colourful curses that drew the attention of nearby diners.

Blake glanced around and lowered his voice. “Emily. You’re making a scene.”

I was fully expecting the “I don’t care if people are watching” schpiel, but she lowered her head and stood there in silence. So, public image was important enough to stop her mid-tirade.

“You could have talked to me,” she said. “We could have worked things out, but instead, you broke up with me in a text message. You’re such a coward.”

I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d broken up with her, but more importantly, why he wanted to go out with me. I was nothing like them. I didn’t fit into this world.

There wasn’t really anything he could say to defend himself, so he didn’t really try. She spat a few more angry words, then tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned to leave.

I cringed inside. I wanted to take my bag and walk out. I wanted to be anywhere else but here. Emily turned back and tears were forming in her eyes and I wanted to hide — or give her a hug — I wasn’t sure which.

She glared at me and her tone became glacial. “You need to keep away from him. I know you’re only after one thing. You think you can marry into power to boost your own. Well, you got another thing coming. He’s mine and there’s nothing you can do to change that.” Marry? “You’re gonna regret ever going after my man, you little slut. I’m gonna make your life hell.”

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“Emily. That’s enough! Leave her alone.”

She looked back at him, at the people around us, then tossed her hair over her shoulder again and stomped off with her head held high.

I no longer felt like I wanted to give her a hug.

Blake ran a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I didn’t know she was gonna be here. I didn’t think she’d react like that.”

Seriously? “What did you expect? She said you dumped her in a text message!”

“I had to. You just saw what she’s like. She wouldn’t have let me finish getting the words out.”

He was probably right about that, but that still didn’t make it right. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to stay and enjoy this meal and our date, but I also wanted out of here. I just wanted to go home.

“Blake, I’m not feeling well. Can you take me home?”

His jaw dropped. “No, it’s okay. She’s gone now. It will be alright now.”

“I… I just need to think. This is a bit much, you know?”

He leaned forward. Was that panic in his eyes? No. It couldn’t be.

“It’s okay. Really, it is. This was such a nice evening till she came along. Let’s just forget she was here, okay? I really like you. You’re so beautiful.”

My fears seemed to just melt away at his words. Why should I let Emily ruin things for me? She was a bitch and I shouldn’t judge Blake for her actions.

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Thank you.”

My mind still reeled. I needed to think about this. Why was he interested in me? Why was I still interested in him after what just happened? I had no answers.

We finished up our meal and dessert in silence.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said once I’d put my spoon down. “Do something fun. Some friends of mine are having a little get-together in a park just outside town. They’ll have a fire going and some music playing. You can meet them. It’ll be fun.”

I nodded and we left the restaurant. He opened his car door for me and I felt special. The engine roared to life and we headed out onto the road.

We rode in awkward silence the whole way as he steered the car around the winding roads in the darkness.

What am I doing? I hardly know this guy. He could be taking me out to the middle of the bush to kill me, and I’m just letting him do it. I must be crazy.

As I opened my mouth to ask where he was taking me, he turned into the parking lot for a picnic area and I could see a large fire burning over near the barbecue grills and picnic tables, surrounded by people sitting or standing around. I tried to calm my nerves. I tried to breathe normally.

“Oh good. Marco’s here.”

We got out and Blake led me to the group and introduced me to them all. I tried to remember their names, but there was about fifteen people here. I thought it would be important to remember Marco, a tall guy with dark curly hair and dark eyes and a sheepish grin. The only other names I remembered were Chase and his younger brother, Hunter. Probably because they were brothers and because their names were so cliché, like they’d stepped out of some American soapie or frat movie. They were usually the names of typical rich jocks.

Everyone said hi and I felt very self-conscious. I tried to smile and act normal.

One thing I noticed was that all of them were good-looking. What was it about this town where so many of the people I’d met were beautiful?

Even Ms Grant, who was obviously a lot older than us, was blessed with flawless skin and a great body. And not a wrinkle in sight.

Marco approached us. “So, this is your new girlfriend?”