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Chapter 0390
Hannah
I wiped the sweat from my face and neck with a towel, gulping down water from my bottle. My muscles ached pleasantly from the intense workout, my limbs feeling delightfully loose and limber.
“Great session today, Hannah,” Drake said, clapping me on the shoulder. He might have even been more breathless than I was. “You really gave me a run for my money.”
“I’m glad to know I’ve finally put you in your place, Drake.”
Drake grinned roguishly and guzzled down his own water.
“Speaking of putting men in their place,” Viona cooed, leaning against the ropes surrounding the sparring ring, “how was your date the other night? Was Alpha David just as much of a bastard as he seems?”
I groaned, remembering the disaster of a date with David. “It was awful,” I grunted, grabbing my towel and slipping beneath the ropes. “A complete waste of time, actually. I should have just stayed home.” “That bad, huh?” Drake asked, raising an eyebrow.
I sighed as I shoved my things into my bag. “David was arrogant the entire time, barely listened to anything I said. And then at the end of the night, he got mad that I wouldn’t sleep with him on the first date. He even kissed me without my permission. Said something along the lines of me owing him for buying me an expensive dinner.”
“Ew.” Viona shook her head, short hair bobbing around her face. “I’m sorry, Hannah. Men are disgusting.” She glanced at Drake, who was hopping down from the sparring ring now too. “No offense.”
Drake smirked. “None taken. Men are indeed disgusting.”
I shrugged and waved my hand. “It’s whatever, really. I just don’t think I’m ready to get back into the dating scene, that’s all.”
“Hey, don’t let one bad experience put you off,” Drake said gently. “In all seriousness, there are some good guys out there.”
“I know,” I replied. “It’s just… it was kind of scary, you know? I forgot how vulnerable dating can make you feel.”
Viona nodded sympathetically. “I get it. Take your time, Hannah. There’s no rush.”
After a moment of silence, Viona spoke up again. “But… are you bringing a plus one to the wedding?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m going alone. At first, I thought about bringing someone just to shove it in Noah’s face, but… I’ve decided I would rather go by myself than with someone I don’t even like.”
Drake and Viona exchanged glances. “Are you sure?” Drake asked. “I can go with you, if you wa-”
“No,” I said quickly, glancing at Viona, Her face was impassive, and I knew she wouldn’t care, but still. It felt… wrong now that they were a thing. “I can handle it on my own.”
The parking garage was dimly lit as I made my way out to my car a little while later, the fluorescent lights flickering ominously. For all my big talk of being able to handle myself earlier, one thing was for certain:
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Chapter 0390
this parking garage always freaked me out. Especially this late.
As I made my way to my car, digging through my purse with my keys, I shivered. Maybe it was just the eerie atmosphere, but I felt like I was being watched. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I quickened my pace.
Fumbling with my keys, I dropped them on the ground next to my car. “Shit,” I muttered, bending to pick them up.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. My heart rate spiked as I recognized David, his eyes glazed over.
“Well, well,” he slurred, stumbling toward me. “If it isn’t the little tease herself.”
I backed up against my car, my hand instinctively reaching for my phone. “David, what are you doing here?”
He closed the distance between us, and this close, I could smell whiskey on his breath. He’d been drinking. A lot.
“I’ve been thinking about our date,” he said, his words blurring together. “You’re quite the little playgirl, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
Before I could slip away, David leaned in, his body pressing me against the car. “Don’t play dumb, Hannah. I saw the way you were looking at me during dinner. Your body language… I know you wanted me and you’re just getting off on the chase.”
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