Chapter 121 A Run in Over Lunch
Martin holds the door open for me when we enter the restaurant. “Sorry, it’s not nicer,” he says apologetically. “But no reservation and we’re in a rush, right?”
“Nicer?” I ask, looking around. It looks nice enough to me. I’m not the biggest fan of fancy restaurants.
Noah actually laughs. “Eden would happily eat food off a food stall.”
He’s not exactly wrong… I’m definitely not a fussy eater. It’s hard to be fussy when you can’t cook to save your life.
A waitress leads us to a table in the centre of the bustling restaurant. Noah, always the gentleman, holds out my chair for me before sitting down next to me. He takes my hand in his as the waitress gives us each a menu.
I’m not really hungry so I skim the menu without really seeing it. It seems strange to even think about eating when things are such a mess.
“What can I get you?” the waitress asks and the guys both wait for me to place my order first.
“Can I have some sparkling water please?” I ask, still unsure what I should ask for. “I’ll have the salad,” I say eventually.
The others place their orders and I wait quietly. I’m totally out of it, my mind running away with itself. Martin and Noah talk about everything but I can barely process what they’re saying. Not that it really matters… It’s not exactly new information.
The restaurant is busy, full of people, and it’s all a little bit overwhelming. Going out for lunch was probably a mistake. I should be at the office. There’s work to do.
“Eden?”
I snap out of my daze, looking between Martin and Noah, expecting them to say something. It’s only when I realise that neither of them are looking at me that I notice that we’re not alone.
Looking up, I see Mason, my ex-boyfriend staring down at me.
“I saw you across the restaurant and thought I should say hello.”
I don’t get that. Why do people always feel the need to say hello when they know you don’t want to talk to them. He can’t seriously expect me to want to speak to him.
His eyes linger for a second on Noah’s hand that is holding mine.
“Hello Mason,” I say as civilly as possible. “Goodbye Mason.” Civility might be important but I definitely don’t have the patience for a conversation with him.
“I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Why?”
“Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at such a cheap restaurant.”
I can’t help but feel a little bit offended. He’s the one that refused to go to cheaper restaurants. Not me. Noah is laughing again.
“You obviously don’t know Eden very well,” he says casually.
Mason visibly bristles in response. I have to bite my cheek to stop myself laughing. I might have known Mason longer than I’ve known Noah, but Mason never made the effort to get to know me the way Noah has. He wasn’t ever interested in me. It was always about him.
“Was there something you wanted Mason?” I ask.
“No. Just wanted to be polite.” He shrugs his shoulders dismissively.
“Weirdly enough, when I see an ex,” I say, “I tend to avoid them.”
“Didn’t we agree to stay friends?”
“Can’t really say that I remember.”
Our food arrives just in time and I have an excuse to dismiss Mason. As politely as I can, I tell him to get lost so I can eat my salad.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Mason asks, apparently not taking my not so subtle hint for him to leave.
“My food is going cold,” I grumble.
Noah looks my way with a smirk and I know the words ‘you ordered salad’ are on the tip of his tongue. Getting to his feet, he lowers his napkin to his seat and steps around me towards Mason.
“As nice as it is to meet you, I’m kind of hungry, so you’ll have to excuse my manners,” Noah says.
“How’s the apartment?” Martin asks. He gets to his feet, buttoning his jacket.
“The apartment?” Mason gulps.
“You know… The one you owe rent for.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never signed a lease.”
“Oh, that’s right. You refused to sign the lease. So, you’re actually just a squatter.”
“I wouldn’t go that far…” Mason looks affronted.
“All it would take is one little phone call to the police.”
“Who are you anyway?”
“I’m Martin,” he answers sternly. “We don’t really have time to waste. Go home, sign the lease, and stay away from Miss Clancy.”
Mason nods his head. “Yeah. I can do that.”
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