Chapter 0219 

Hannah 

I shuddered as I looked at my phone: the forum post claiming to have proof of my divorce with Noah was up to 7,000 likes. Just 3,000 more, and the poster would supposedly post this so–called ‘proof‘… Whatever it may be. 

“Hannah? Earth to Hannah?” 

The sound of Viona’s voice snapped me out of my haze. I quickly shut my phone off and slipped it into my purse, meeting her gaze from across the table. For now, I would have to push the thoughts of that forum post out of my mind. After all, I was supposed to be out for dinner with my friend. 

“You okay?” Viona asked, eyeing me from across the booth at our favorite restaurant. She dipped a chip into the nacho cheese, swirled it around, then took a big bite. 

I forced a smile and shook my head, sipping my drink. “Yeah, I’m fine. My mind is just… elsewhere right now.” 

Elsewhere. Still stuck on that night with Noah, more like. I still couldn’t get that image out of my mind: his Jarge form hunched over me, the heat between us, the way his face turned black before he stormed out. It 

felt like the final nail in the coffin. 

Viona raised an eyebrow but didn’t push it further. Instead, she changed the subject. “So, about Amber’s wedding. Can you believe it’s only a month away?” 

I shook my head. “They’re getting married so fast… He only proposed a couple weeks ago.” 

“That’s what I’m saying.” Viona leaned in, lowering her voice. “This whole situation is fishy. Frankly, I still think Jake is gay.” 

I bit my lip, remembering what I had seen at the club during our girls night. I hadn’t mentioned it to Vional yet, or anyone, really, because that also happened to be the fateful aforementioned night with Noah. 

“Actually, Vi… I saw something the other night that makes me think you might be right,” I said, pursing my lips. “I almost forgot, what with everything else going on… But I think you should know.” 

Viona’s eyes widened. “Spill. Now.” 

I glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then recounted what I had seen at the club–Jake with another man, their intimate body language, the almost–kiss. 

“Holy shit,” Viona breathed, leaning back in her chair. “I knew it. He’s using Amber as a beard!” 

“Hang on. We don’t know that for sure,” I said, holding up a hand to placate her. “Maybe he’s bi?” 

Viona shook her head vehemently. “No way. If he was and they were in some kind of open relationship deal, you know Amber would have mentioned it.” 

I nodded, realizing that Viona was right. Amber wasn’t exactly a closed book. “Okay, but what do we do about it?” I asked. “Amber’s so in love, she would never believe us without proof.” 

“That’s the problem,” Viona sighed as she dunked another chip into the cheese. “We need solid evidence. But how do we get it is the ques-” Before she could finish, the chip slipped from her fingers and fell back 

1/2 

+25 BONUS 

Chapter 0219 

into the cheese. Her eyes widened as she looked over my shoulder, and I turned to see what she was looking at. 

Speak of the devil. 

Drake, brushing the rain water off of his jacket, caught sight of us almost immediately–like he could sense us looking. He didn’t hesitate before approaching. “Ladies,” he greeted. “Mind if I join you?” 

“Not at all,” Viona said, scooting over to make room for him. As he shrugged off his jacket, Viona shot me a sly wink that made me roll my eyes. 

As Drake settled in, he ordered a drink from the waitress. Once she was gone, he looked back and forth between us. “So, what are we talking about? You both looked pretty serious when I walked in.” 

Viona and I exchanged wary glances. Drake wasn’t really privy to our personal friend group drama, but he had been helping me figure out what was going on between Zoe and Noah… Maybe he could help with this, too. 

“We’re talking about our friend Amber,” I said. 

“We’re… worried,” Viona added. 

Drake cocked an eyebrow at us. “Worried? Why?” 

With a sigh, I filled him in on our suspicions about Jake, including what I had seen at the club. Drake listened intently the entire time, his brow furrowed. 

By the time I was finished, his drink had already arrived. He took a sip, swallowed hard, and let out a low whistle. “That’s rough,” he said. “Are you gonna tell her?” 

“We would, but the problem is,” Viona chimed in, “we have no proof. And Amber would never believe us without it.” 

“She’s totally in love with him,” I added. “She’s been head over heels for him since they started dating a few years ago. She’d never believe us unless we ha