Wish you were mine

8. Dreams

PENELOPE

Sean chose the center table, a spot that seemed to command attention in the room. I settled into my seat, trying to calm the unease that was gnawing at me.

Moments later, a brunette waitress approached, her steps deliberately slow and measured. My gaze landed on her, and I couldn't help but notice that the first two buttons of her shirt were undone, offering a generous view of her cleavage. As she handed Sean the menu, she leaned in just a little too close, clearly trying to catch his eye. But, to my satisfaction, Sean ignored her entirely, his focus unwavering.

A surge of irritation flared in my chest. Seeing her blatant attempt to flirt with him made my blood boil. I clenched my fists under the table, struggling to keep my composure. The thought of grabbing her by the hair and tossing her out of the restaurant flashed through my mind, but I forced it down. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of knowing she had gotten under my skin.

When she handed me the menu, I plastered a smile on my face, trying to convey that I was unbothered, but she barely acknowledged me, her attention still fixed on Sean. It seemed today was destined to be a day of being ignored, and I couldn't help but find it both frustrating and amusing. Her brazen behavior was audacious, to say the least. I raised an eyebrow, marveling at her boldness.

Clearing my throat to get her attention, I spoke in a calm, yet firm voice, "You may leave now. When we're ready to order, we'll let you know." I added a saccharine smile at the end, relishing the slight flush of embarrassment that crept up her cheeks. She hesitated for a moment before turning on her heel and walking away, her previous confidence seemingly deflated. A small, victorious smile tugged at my lips as I watched her retreat.

I glanced over at Sean, only to find him already looking at me. His eyebrows lifted in silent question, but I simply ignored him, mirroring the indifference he had shown me all day.

Was I jealous? The thought nagged at me, swirling around in my mind like an unwanted guest. But it wasn't jealousy over the waitress, at least not in the way one might think. I told myself that I was just looking out for my sister, making sure no one disrespected her relationship. After all, Sean was in love with my sister-he'd made that perfectly clear. He had manipulated and played with my feelings to get to her. I was certain he would never hurt her, not in the way he had hurt me. That thought sent a sharp pang through my chest, a reminder of wounds that hadn't quite healed.

Yes, I was jealous, but not of that girl. I was jealous of what Sean and my sister had-the love, the connection, the trust. It was something I had always longed for but had never found. Theirs was the kind of relationship I had dreamed of, the kind I had foolishly thought I could have with him. But that dream had been shattered long ago, leaving me with nothing but a deep-seated ache.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts before they could darken my mood further. This wasn't the time or place to dwell on the past, or on the emotions that still lingered despite my best efforts to move on. I needed to stay focused, to keep my composure, and not let anyone see the cracks beneath the surface.

I watched Sean, who seemed completely absorbed in the menu, as if nothing else in the world mattered. My curiosity and frustration finally got the better of me, and I mustered the courage to voice the question that had been eating away at me.

"What are we doing here, Sean?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion and a hint of desperation.

Without even bothering to look up, he replied with a casual tone, "Oh, nothing much. We just came here for ice skating, and after that, we'll go on a trek."

I gasped, taken aback by his sarcastic remark. The audacity of it! My temper flared, and before I knew it, I snatched the menu out of his hands. He reacted quickly, his hand shooting out to grab it back, but I held it away, just out of his reach. His eyes snapped up to meet mine, narrowing into a glare. But I only smirked, finally getting the reaction I'd been seeking.