Chapter Two

Nora’s POV

I instinctively wanted to refuse, but the manager was already steering me into the hallway with a hand on my shoulder.

The door to the private dining room now stood wide open, and the party inside was in full swing.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Chase and several other guys chanted, pounding the table and whistling.

I stopped in the doorway and looked past the crowd toward the couch in the center of the room.

Tripp wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing a watch that was obviously expensive. For the first time, he looked like the wealthy heir he really was.

Bitsy sat on his lap with her arms around his neck, her cheeks flushed.

Tripp didn’t push her away. He lowered his head and kissed her on the lips.

The room erupted in deafening cheers.

I stood there looking like a complete fool.

I thought I had prepared myself, but seeing it with my own eyes still ripped my heart apart.

The platter slipped from my hands and landed on the carpet.

The sudden noise brought the celebration to a halt. Everyone turned toward me in the doorway.

The smile on Tripp’s face disappeared. He quickly moved Bitsy aside and stood up. Panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly hid it.

“Nora? What are you doing here?” Chase was the first to react. “Wow. Did you actually follow him all the way here? And you showed up in that uniform to make him feel guilty? That’s manipulative, even for you.”

Bitsy covered her mouth, her eyes instantly filling with tears. “Nora, please don’t get the wrong idea. We were just playing a game. Don’t be mad at Tripp. This is all my fault.”

I ignored them and stared straight at Tripp. I waited for an explanation, even if all he gave me was a bad lie.

Instead, he frowned at me with open disgust. “Nora, did you follow me here? Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough? Clean up that mess and get out. Stop ruining everyone’s night.”

“What? I’m not allowed to know where my own boyfriend is having dinner?” My voice was surprisingly calm.

“Tripp, did you enjoy pretending to be broke? You bought the girl you grew up with an eighty-thousand-dollar bag, then watched me bust my ass here carrying plates just to save a few thousand dollars. Did that make you feel good about yourself?”

The room went dead silent.

Tripp’s face darkened. He stepped forward and reached for my hand. “What the hell are you talking about? Who asked you to come into this room? You’re coming with me.”

“Don’t touch me!” I stepped back in disgust, untied my apron, and threw it in his face.

“Tripp, we’re done. You make me sick.”

Without looking at his stunned expression, I turned and walked out of the room.

A few days later, Bitsy called me.

“Nora, what happened the other night was honestly just a misunderstanding. Tripp has been miserable ever since. He can barely eat. I’m having my birthday party at the country club today. Could you come over so we can all talk this out?” She sounded wounded and helpless.

I didn’t want to go, but some of my test-prep books and notes were still with Tripp. I decided to pick them up and cut ties with him for good.

When I opened the ballroom doors, streamers hung everywhere. A huge screen read, “Happy 18th Birthday, Princess Bitsy!”

I stood in the doorway like a fool who clearly didn’t belong.

“Well, look who actually showed up.” Chase sneered. “Nora, you humiliated Tripp in front of everyone the other night. It’s Bitsy’s birthday. Don’t you think you should make it up to her?”

Tripp sat in the middle of the couch and barely looked at me. He pulled a credit card from his wallet and tossed it onto the table.

“Take this card. Tomorrow, go to the jewelry store and buy Bitsy that diamond necklace she likes as an apology.” His voice was cold, as if he were giving me an order.

I didn’t even look at the card.

“Go to hell.”

Tripp looked up at me in disbelief.

It had never occurred to him that the girl who had always done whatever he wanted might tell him to go to hell in front of everyone.

“Nora, he’s giving you a chance to make this right, and you’re still acting like this?” Chase shot to his feet. “Have you looked at yourself lately? You’re dirt poor. What makes you think you were ever good enough for him?”

“I wasn’t. That’s why I don’t want him anymore.”

I didn’t spare any of them another glance. I walked to the corner, picked up my stack of heavy books, and turned to leave.

“Nora, if you walk out that door today, don’t ever come crawling back to me!” Tripp shouted behind me.