I throw back my shot before glancing at her again.
She’s taking a prolonged sip of her wine as Tom turns to her.
“Victoria,” he says, setting his beer down, “you’ve been quiet. What do you think about all of this?”
She places her wine glass down carefully. “It’s.. unexpected.”
“Of course, of course,” he nods.
The server returns to take our food orders.
Once they leave, Tom turns his attention back to her again.
“So,” he allows the air to hang between them awkwardly for a few seconds before continuing, “how have things been going with Garrett? Haven’t seen him around lately.”
Victoria freezes, her fingers tighteningaround her wine glass. A few different emotions flash across her face; pain, anger, and then her eyes catch mine for a brief moment before she composes herself and answers.
“We’re not together anymore,” she admits.
Good riddance.
19
Elias
Tom frowns. “I’m sorry to hear that. He seemed like a nice young man.”
I watch her from the other side of the table.
But I’m not the only one.
Dominic is watching their conversation too.
There’s a slight tremble in her hand when she lifts her glass again. “He wasn’t,” she says after another sip. “Let’s just say I found out who he really is, and it wasn’t someone I wanted to be with.”
“Did something happen? He didn’t lay his hands on you, did he?” Tom presses, concern written all over his face.
I shift in my seat, leaning forward without meaning to.
“He cheated,” she states simply. “With someone from his gym.”
“Oh, honey,”Mom says, reaching across the table and Cora’s frame to squeeze her hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Victoria shrugs. “It’s fine. Better to find out now than on our wedding night, right?”
My jaw tightens.
Wedding night? To Garrett?
There’s no way she considered marrying that cocky asshole.
“Absolutely,” Tom agrees. “You deserve better than that.”
I don’t look away from her as I butt into the conversation “How did you find out?”
The table goes quiet.
Everyone looks at me. Including her.