Perfect Bastard (by Mary D. Sant) novel Chapter 99

Perfect Bastard

Chapter 99: On the Brink of the

Storm

ELLIE

His lips covered mine, but I didn’t kiss him back. Pressing my hands

against his chest, I pushed him away. My mind was still hazy, but his

audacity ignited anger deep within me.

“No… What are you doing?”

“I’m sorry. I…”

“Don’t ever do that again!” I turned to open my door.

“Ellie…”

When I finally managed to get it open, I stepped inside and slammed

the door shut behind me. What the hell was he thinking? Throwing

my bag into some random corner, I dragged myself to my bedroom

and collapsed onto the bed.

But not even the anger I felt toward Todd was enough to keep sleep at

bay; I soon drifted off, lulled by the effects of the alcohol.

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Chapter 99: On the Brink of the Storm

The next morning, I woke up with a mild headache, which persisted

even after a hot shower.

After getting dressed, I left my room: Pausing by the living room

window, I looked out at the sky blanketed in gray clouds, blocking out

the sun. It seemed like it could rain at any moment. The perfect

weather for a Saturday.

I headed to the kitchen to brew a strong cup of coffee. It was ready

when someone knocked on my door. Opening it, I found Todd

standing there, holding a bag.

He was dressed in a hoodie and looked like he had just come back

from a walk. A long sigh escaped me. I had been trying to push last night’s memory out of my mind, and seeing him wasn’t helping.

“Good morning. And before you slam the door in my face, I brought fluffy pancakes and crispy waffles to apologize for last night.” He extended his hand, offering the bag. “I know you like them.”

“What do you want?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I just told you. To apologize. Please, take them.”

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“Fine, but only because I’m starving,” I said, grabbing the bag.

“I’m really sorry, El. I didn’t mean to overstep. I’d like to blame the

alcohol, but I don’t think I drank that much.”

“Good for you, not dealing with a throbbing headache right now.

Anyway, thanks for the coffee. I’ll try to be nice and forget you did

that, but if you ever try it again, I won’t hesitate to kick you in the

balls. Got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Great.”

“Wait…” he said as I was about to close the door. “Maybe I can make

it up to you better.”

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“I’ve got a work meeting tonight,” he continued, “at one of the best

restaurants in the city. Let me apologize by treating you to dinner

afterward. Just as friends, of course.”

“Friends don’t try to kiss friends, which is why the answer is no.”

“It’s just dinner, Ellie, I swear. I know you could use a distraction, and

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Chapter 99: On the Brink of the Storm

I promise I won’t try to flirt or anything.”

“That’s exactly why you should invite someone who’s interested; flirt

with her, you know, like on a real date.”

“Your company is more than enough for me.”

“No. Not after what you pulled.”

“Wine, conversation, and nothing else, I promise. And I won’t take no

for an answer unless you’ve got better plans for tonight, which don’t

include staying here alone watching TV.”

“That sounds like a better plan to me.”

“I’ll see you at nine.”

“I said no.”

“You can’t say no to the best food and wine Manhattan has to offer.

Nine o’clock,” he said, heading toward his apartment.

“I’m not showing up!” I yelled after him.

“Then I’ll come get you and drag you off that couch if I have to,” he

said with a wink before disappearing inside.

2

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Chapter 99: On the Brink of the Storm

As the hours passed, Todd’s invitation to taste the best food and wine

in the city became increasingly tempting-especially compared to the alternative of spending the night on the couch watching a movie.

What risks could he possibly pose, anyway? I was more than ready to

kick him for real if he tried anything.

But we weren’t really friends, so I shouldn’t go. Still, it was the best

restaurant in the city, and this had nothing to do with our past.

Screw it. Todd was right. I needed a distraction, and if I stayed home,

I knew exactly how the night would end: memories and tears.

Before I knew it, I was already finishing getting ready, but there were

still about two hours left until nine.

Maybe I was just eager to leave my lonely apartment and all the

memories that lingered within it. On the couch, in my bedroom… all I

could see was Ethan, and it only made the ache in my chest worse.

Suddenly, there was a knock at my door. Anna was standing there

when I opened it.

“It’s good to see you’re alive,” she said, stepping inside.

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“What are you talking about? I told you I was fine,” I replied, closing

the door behind her.

“You mean the two words you used to answer me this morning?” She

stopped in the middle of the living room, near the couch.

“I just need some time.”

“A whole week wasn’t enough? I thought I was your best friend.”

“Don’t be dramatic. You know you deserved it,” I said, standing near

the window.

“Wow! I spent the whole week worried about you, and that’s all

you’ve got to say? I thought you cared about my state of mind.”

“Okay, I’m sorry, alright? I was just tired of having my friends

interfere, even after I asked them not to.”

“You know I only want the best for you.”

1

“Do I? All I know is I’m tired of being a puppet in your little games.”

1

“Games? I was just trying to help you two hard-headed idiots.”

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“You did exactly what Zoe did during that damn trip, even though you

knew I didn’t want it.”

“Because I thought Ethan would actually do something about it!”

“Well, he did. He broke my heart again, so thank you very much.” I

tried to hide the pain, but it was no use as a lump formed in my

throat.

I moved to the couch and sat down, trying to hold back the tears.

1. go. I don’t want you getting upset because of me.”

“Hey, I was really worried. I hate thinking of you here alone, like

this,” she said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

“Don’t try to fool me.”

“Of course you will.”

“This wasn’t a fight. I’m still going to be the favorite aunt,” I

“Wait…” Her gaze scanned my outfit. “You’re dressed up. Were you

going out?”

“Uh… yeah, but I’m not late yet,” I said, sitting upright.

“Where are you going?”

“Um… just dinner.”

“Okay,” I sighed. “But you have to promise not to freak out because

“Wait… Did I hear that right, or am I hearing things?” she

“You can’t be serious!”

and I can make my own decisions.”