?Chapter 131:


    “So, can we start over? I’m Travis. Mind telling me your name?”


    Something about his persistence struck Ste as strange.


    Why did he care so much?


    In the past, she and Travis had barely exchanged more than a handful of words.


    Was he trying to dig for information for Marc?


    Ste’s face clouded over, suspicion flickering in her eyes.


    Sharon leaned in, her fingers weaving through Ste’s and her tone dropping to a low murmur. “Excuse us, but she’s with me tonight. You’re kind of intruding.”


    Travis lingered, watching them in silence until disappointment crept across his face. “Sorry for bothering you,” he said, voice subdued.


    Clutching his empty bottle, he drifted away.


    At that moment, Marc strode in with a crowd of acquaintances. The bar was caught between sets, the overhead lights ring down and brightening every corner.


    Ste, radiant in her red dress,manded attention amid the lively crowd.


    Johnny Ruiz, Marc’s friend, startled by the sight, jabbed Marc’s arm. “Marc, isn’t that Ste over there? Looks like she’s with another man!” Marc followed Johnny’s gaze, narrowing his eyes to get a better look.


    Who the hell was that man beside her?


    A crooked smile tugged at Marc’s lips. So, Ste was just another fickle woman. Since she’d moved on from him, there was no point in wasting another thought on her.


    Trailing just behind Marc, his other friend, Tommy Frazier, leaned in and spoke in a low voice. “I just saw Travis walk away from Ste’s table.”


    Travis?


    The group exchanged nces and quickly spotted Travis sitting alone at another table, shoulders hunched, face tight with frustration.


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    “What was he doing over there?” someone asked. “Did Ste say something to him? He looks like a puppy that has just been kicked.”


    Marc didn’t answer. He led the group toward Travis, who nced up as they approached. Marc got straight to the point. “What did you say to her?”


    Travis shrugged, keeping his tone neutral. “Nothing. Just bumped into her and said hi.”


    Marc eyed him suspiciously, searching his expression for anything more. Then, casually—too casually—he said, “Well, since we’re all here, might as well have a few drinks.”


    Travis stood halfway from his chair. “I’ve got somewhere to be.”


    But before he could leave, Johnny was already pulling him back down with an arm around his shoulder. “Come on, Travis. One drink won’t hurt.”


    Reluctantly, Travis sat.


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