ALEX

There are only two things I truly regret this afternoon.

1. Letting Luca pick the restaurant.

2. Me agreeing to hang out with my so-called friends when they've had more than one drink in them.

"I'm just saying," Luca leans back in his chair, swirling his whiskey like he's in a bad mafia movie, "you've fallen for your ex-wife."

"You're drunk." I reply, stabbing a piece of steak with more aggression than necessary. "And I haven't fallen for anyone."

Luca snorts so hard that he nearly chokes on his drink. "Sure. You just follow her around like a bodyguard-slash-lover, risk your life for her, and stare at your phone every five seconds. Totally normal co-parenting behavior."

"It is co-parenting," I say flatly. "We share a child. It's called being responsible adults. Not that you'd know anything about it."

"I have three kids, and I can safely say you've totally fallen for her." Ethan says, and I turn my head in anger.

"Why are you even here? I don't even like you." I snarl.

Ethan is that bastard's cousin and the main reason Athena is working in the same hospital as Zayan, and it makes my heart boil. I mean, is he so pathetic that he has to rely on his cousin's best friend for a job?

"I'm here for lan. As soon as he gets here, I'll be gone. Trust me, the feeling between us is mutual." Ethan responds. "But I can understand why you're insecure, Zayan is a ladies' man." Ethan laughs.

What a cocky bastard.

"You're going to start a fight, Sinclair. Is that your plan?" Luca says, grinning, enjoying the fact that Ethan and I are about to burn each other to the ground with our glares.


"Alex is always calm, but today is different. He has been staring at his phone like something is about to jump out of it. Is it Athena? Time to switch who is baby sitting next?"

With my frustration building up, I turn to face Luca,

"I'm not-"

Ugh.

Why am I even defending myself?

"I'll bet fifty thousand," Luca cuts in, lifting his glass like it's an official declaration,

before begging Athena to take you

month?" Ethan cackles. "You're too generous.

mother to my son, and I'm still begging her to forgive me for what I did. Does that sound like love to

in unison, and I

win that 50k and give

be too

the fuckers both chuckle in


steps in. He looks worn

to Dad. Sloane needs to be treated abroad.

The room falls silent.

the teasing dies

scrubs which tells me he

about my cousin and best friend being together because

seeing how broken lan has been has changed my perception over their

can arrange a private jet and

know if there is anything I can help with." Luca adds on and

for anything. Zane too, even though he's away he told me to tell

waiting for you. Just hold on a little longer Sloane. I'll make sure

turning to

steady eyes. "You did well to


smirk. "Don't

back, just sighs and runs a hand over his face. "You were practically living at the hospital, Alex.

let anyone move you. I haven't seen you that stubborn since

my baby sister. I won't

herself but it's all my fault. If I had seen through Leah none of this would have

then, Ethan's

then stands. "I've gotta go. I'll check in

something happen?" lan

was supposed to pick the kids but

to pick them up."

I freeze. "Wait. What?"

his coat but

and Athena


me, catching the shift in my face.

he has to escort Athena. She's meeting the victims'

right?"

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