Chapter 35
Andrea, Mia, and Harper walked into the lobby of the movie theater clutching their tickets and tubs of popcorn. The latest action flick wasn’t exactly Andrea’s style, but she’d gone along with her friends’ choice, happy to spend time with them despite Mia’s occasional sharp comments.
“This better be good,” Mia said, balancing her drink in one hand. “I’m not sitting through two hours of explosions for nothing.”
“You picked it,” Harper said with a grin, nudging her.
Andrea laughed softly as they made their way to their seats, feeling the tension from earlier in the week ease a little.
About halfway through the movie, Andrea’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it at first, but the vibrations kept coming.
With a sigh, she fished her phone out, squinting at the screen in the dim light. The messages were from Nathaniel.
“Where are you?”
“Why aren’t you responding?”
“Andrea, call me back.”
“Are you with someone else?”
Her stomach twisted as she read the last message.
Mia leaned over, whispering, “Everything okay?”
Andrea forced a smile and nodded, quickly typing out a reply: “I’m at the movies with my friends. Can we talk later?”
The response came almost instantly. “You could’ve told me. It’s rude to ignore me, Andrea.”
Andrea’s jaw clenched as another message appeared: “Don’t forget who’s looking out for you.”
Frustrated, she quickly typed back: “Nathaniel, I’m busy. Stop.” Then, with a sharp exhale, she blocked his number, tucking her phone away before she could second-guess herself.
After the movie ended, the three of them stepped out into the crisp night air. The streets were quiet, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement.
“That wasn’t as bad as I thought,” Mia said, tossing her empty popcorn bag into a trash can. “I mean, the explosions were overkill, but at least the lead guy was hot.”
“Agreed,” Harper said with a laugh. “Although the plot was practically nonexistent.”
Andrea smiled faintly, her mind still on Nathaniel’s messages.
As they rounded the corner to the parking lot, Andrea froze. Leaning casually against his sleek black car was Nathaniel, his arms crossed and his sharp gaze fixed on her.
“Whoa,” Mia whispered, her eyes widening. “Who’s that?”
“That,” Harper said, her voice filled with awe, “is someone who does not belong in this town.”
Andrea’s stomach churned as she stepped forward, her friends trailing behind her.
“Nathaniel,” she said, her voice tight. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” he said simply, his tone calm but with a hint of something sharper beneath the surface.
“You followed me?” Andrea accused, crossing her arms.
Nathaniel pushed off the car, his gaze steady. “You weren’t answering my messages. I was worried.”
Andrea let out a bitter laugh. “Worried? Or jealous?”
His jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t deny it. “Andrea, you’re part of my world now. When you shut me out, I have a right to be concerned.”
“A right?” Andrea repeated, her voice rising. “Nathaniel, you don’t own me. You don’t get to show up like this and act like I owe you an explanation for everything I do.”
Mia and Harper exchanged a wide-eyed glance but stayed silent, clearly not wanting to interrupt.
Nathaniel stepped closer, his voice dropping. “I’m not trying to control you. But you should know by now that I don’t take being ignored lightly.”
Andrea met his gaze, her anger flaring. “You’re unbelievable. I needed a night with my friends, Nathaniel. That’s all. And you’ve turned it into… whatever this is.”
Nathaniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re right,” he said finally, his tone softening. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.”
Andrea blinked, surprised by his sudden apology.
He glanced at Mia and Harper, his sharp features softening further. “Are you going to introduce me?”
Andrea hesitated, then gestured toward her friends. “Mia, Harper, this is Nathaniel. Nathaniel, these are my friends from high school.”
Nathaniel nodded politely, his commanding presence making even the simple gesture seem regal. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
Mia looked like she might faint. “You’re… Nathaniel Sinclair?”
“That’s me,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Harper nudged Mia, grinning. “You’re going to have to give us the whole story later, Andrea.”
Andrea shot her a look, but Nathaniel only chuckled.
“Well,” he said, turning back to Andrea, “since I’ve clearly disrupted your evening, let me make it up to you.”
Andrea raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“Dinner,” Nathaniel said simply. “All of us. My treat.”
Mia’s jaw dropped. “You mean, like, at an actual fancy restaurant?”
Nathaniel nodded. “Of course.”
Andrea shook her head, exasperated. “Nathaniel, that’s not necessary.”
“I insist,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Mia grabbed Andrea’s arm, her excitement barely contained. “Andrea, please say yes. How often do you get a chance like this?”
