TIFFIN

84

Hey everyone!! I hope you're having a great morning. I realized I'm getting closer to the end of the book and I can't believe it (:
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Kylie sat up on her seat, eyeing Luke with venom in her stare. 

"I'm not leaving until I eat something. I think I may have the squid or the crab or... the leech..."

I did a double-take at the menu. They didn't sell leeches, did they?

"Speaking of leeches," Kylie continued, "Did you all hear about the article in the news?"

Everyone remained silent and still. They seemed just as confused as I was. 

"What article?" I asked.

"About that boy that was going to college and was arrested for making a sex tape?" Kylie looked around for our reactions. "Apparently the girl had no idea it was happening."

"Oh, wow," Ellie gasped. "How terrible that must have been."

Luke shrank back in his seat, uncomfortable with the conversation. I could tell this was the last thing he had planned for a first date.

"What do you think about all this, Hero?" Ellie said, leaning across the table, her curly blonde hair blanketing her face. "What would you have done to that piece of shit?" 

I saw Hero tense, forming his hands into fists. 

"I'd beat the shit out of that prick." He said through clenched teeth. 

"That's interesting," Kylie said, "it says here that's it's extremely illegal and he'll be serving five years to life for committing this crime."

The tension seemed to grow in the group. This was supposed to be a special dinner and only with a few words, Ellie and Kylie had ruined it. 

"Can we please talk about something else?" Luke begged, staring at Hero in pity. "This is not what I had planned for my date."

Right on time, the waiter arrived ready to take their orders. 

"Very well." Kylie replied, ordering a scallop plate. 

Ellie, however, didn't seem to want to let go of the article. 

"What's the matter, Luke? Does it make you queasy?"

When their food had finally arrived and conversation had died out completely Hero decided to break the silence. 

"What are you two up to tonight?"

Deep down I knew he wasn't interested. He only wanted to pry into my personal business. Please, Luke, don't tell me him about the....

Luke grinned. "Well, after dinner Kristina and I are headed to the club a few blocks from here."

Ellie's eyes widened. "You mean The Hook? That's where you used to take me...."

Luke lowered his head, uncomfortably. "Yeah..." 

Once another moment of silence passed and I and Luke had finally finished eating, I elbowed him. 

"We should probably go." 

"Right." Luke stood up. "It was nice to see you all, but I need to pay and go. I do believe I promised someone special a night out." 

I smiled, taken aback by his chivalry tonight. Absolutely no one had treated me like such a queen and I wondered if maybe we could survive this. 

It was too early to tell. It was silly to mull over. 

As we headed to the register, I felt a sharp tug on my arm. Swiveling around, much to my displeasure I saw Hero looking at me expectantly. 

He held out both his hands brandishing a few items. 

"You forgot your phone and paperwork for your job. Tawnee said she awaits your application. I talked to her for you." 

"Oh wow," I gasped. "Um, thank you. I suppose I should give something back-" 

"No-" Hero interrupted, looking terrified. "I don't want anything. I'm returning these simply because I want to. I want to show you that I'm willing to change." 

I bit down on my lip, wary of the fact Luke was still waiting for me. I wouldn't ditch him tonight. He deserved better. 

"That's great," I began, "but it's a bit too late for anything. I'm not sure whether there we will be anything more, but Luke and I are on a date. I wish you would have been like this sooner." 

Hero frowned. "I know. Sometimes I wished I could be the man you need me to be." 

"Friends?" I offered. 

"Friendship isn't something I can agree on." Hero said. "I hope to see you soon." 

As Hero turned to head back to his table, I eyed my phone which was now blaring with several messages from a number I didn't recognize. 

I saw the number that had dialed me from Josephine's cell. The woman that had sworn she was my mother and that she knew my father.

It seemed that she had tried to call me several times before finally reaching me. 

How did these people keep finding me? 

Then in a few texts came from another contact.  

I know you don't believe that I am your father. 

I understand that you are hurt. 

But please heed my warning. You're not safe. 

You're not safe.