2
I finally got to lunch, so I went into a random
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bistro and ordered a couple of things.
After the first bite, I knew something was off,
and I was about to ask the waiter to take it
back.
But then I saw Chad and Ashley coming in to
eat.
Behind them were the people who were
making fun of me earlier.
When they saw me, someone frowned and
looked down their nose at me.
“Yeah, right. You’re not still in love with
Ashley? You’re eating here ‘cause she likes
French food? Don’t try to act all rich, you
can’t afford this place as a B–list actor.”
I put down my silverware and frowned. “Can’t
I come here?”
“Acting all gentlemanly, how much did you
pay to learn that? You gotta know that she’s
awesome, and dating her can help you raise
the bar, but you should realize your place.
You’re just a nobody actor, you can’t handle
her.”
Ashley spoke up, “Honey, I really didn’t know
he was gonna be here. Wanna go somewhere
else?”
Chad looked at me and smiled. “Nah, let’s
stay here.”
Ashley gave me a look like I was a bug she
wanted to squash. “I know you still have
feelings for me, but I’m doing great now.
Please don’t bother me anymore.”
Then she frowned at the food on my table.
“This place is expensive, you shouldn’t come
here. I’ll pay for it this time.”
Before I could say no, the waiter brought a
bottle of red wine to my table.
Chad sat right across from me, poured a
glass, and pushed it over. “Sorry we didn’t send you a wedding invite, but you should still drink to our happiness. It’ll help Ashley finally
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I thought they were acting crazy, so I waved
my hand. “It’s rare to be friends after a
breakup. Since we’re not friends, I don’t need
a wedding toast. If you want, I’ll send a gift.”
Chad’s face instantly turned cold, and he
glared at me. “I was gonna get you some
screen time on this show…”
He kept talking, making it clear what he
meant. “I still have some pull in Hollywood. If
you don’t drink today, you’re gonna have al
hard time getting work.”
I understood what he meant. He was gonna
blacklist me.
“You’re hilarious,” I said.
I thought of all the crap I went through, and
couldn’t hold back a smile.
Chad glared at me. Then he said, “Ashley,
your simp still can’t let you go! You make him
drink!”
Ashley looked pissed. She couldn’t believe
Chad was treating her like crap in public.
And it was all because I was back in her life.
Ashley took the glass and gave it to me. “Just
drink it. It’s been ten years, you need to move
on.”
“Besides, I never really liked you,” she said.
I just glared at them. Then, because they
wouldn’t let it go, I spilled the beans. “My wife
set me up for this show. I’ve been married for
years.”
“You’re thinking way too highly of yourself. I
don’t feel anything for you. And my wife and I
are trying to have a baby, so I can’t drink.”
I pushed the glass away again, getting
annoyed.
“You? Who in their right mind would want
you?” Chad laughed. Everyone was trying not
to laugh, but when Chad laughed, they all
cracked up.
“Ethan, looks like your wife isn’t anything
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special. Thought you were dating a sugar
mama. Is this the only show she could get
you?”
“Maybe you should just quit acting. I can find
you a decent job that pays way more than
you’re making.”
“You suck at being a gold digger. I’ll give you
some money to buy some decent clothes.”
I took a deep breath, fighting back the anger
they stirred up about my wife. “Not
necessary. But I’m gonna warn you, watch out
for karma!”
Chad laughed when I said that. “Is that all you
got? I thought you were gonna tell us who
your wife is! Why won’t you say her name? Is
she that embarrassing?”
Ashley seemed nervous when she heard I was
married, but when she heard that, she gave
me a smug look.
“Chad’s just trying to help you out, and you’re
Г
acting ungrateful,” she said. “That’s how you
always were. You gotta stop being so proud.
Do you really think you’re some kind of
saint?”
Hearing that, I felt really disappointed.
I thought she’d be a better person this time
around, but she was just as bad as before.
I ignored them and got up to pay.
Chad yelled after me as I walked away.
“Ethan, we’re working together! You can’t
even drink to us? Are we really gonna make
this hard?”
Someone else joined in. “Yeah, if you walk
out now, we’re gonna make you look bad on
the show!”
“Why are we even paying attention to him? Is
he trying to get famous off of us?”
I didn’t look back and paid and left.
