Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

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,

month before begging Athena to take you

Ethan cackles. "You're too generous.

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

in unison, and

there. That's why I'm down for this game. I'll win that 50k and give Caleb and Daisy to buy some toys and

too certain."

the fuckers both chuckle in

opens and lan steps in. He looks worn out and my heart aches

talk to Dad. Sloane needs to be treated abroad. She won't make it here." He says as

The room falls silent.

the teasing

tells me he was straight

worried about my cousin and best friend being together because of how awkward

been has changed my perception

private jet and anything

can help with." Luca adds on and gives him a small nod in

always count on me for anything. Zane too, even though he's

sis, you have people waiting for you. Just hold on a little longer Sloane.

really mean it," I say, turning to lan. "Thank you

nods with tired but steady eyes. "You

"Don't get

just sighs and runs a hand over his face. "You were

let anyone move you. I haven't seen you

I won't let anything happen

I had seen through

then, Ethan's

screen, frowns, then stands. "I've gotta go. I'll check

happen?"

supposed to pick the kids but he's

to pick them up."

I freeze. "Wait. What?"

his coat

Athena are

me, catching the shift in

he has to escort Athena.

right?"