Please Come Back, My Love novel Chapter 27

Elena: POV

We found a corner booth at that familiar karaoke bat on Bleecker Street. I took a few sips of sparkling water, my frayed nerves finally starting to settle.

Sophia watched me across the table, then said something the made my heart clench words that hung between us like a ghost neither of us wanted to acknowledge.

We’re both in love with men who can’t love us back.

I stared at her, the confession settling over us like a heavy blanket.

“Lucas Reynolds,” I said quietly.

She flinched, just slightly, then shook her head with a bitter smile. “I’ve mostly forgotten about him now.” She took a long sip of her beer while I nursed my sparkling water. “Actually, I’ve been dating this super hot guy recently. Great face, killer body–literally perfect.”

“And?” I prompted, already sensing the punchline.

3

“Total cheating asshole.‘ She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Juggling like five girls at once. So yeah, fuck relationships. Being single is way better.”

She drained the rest of her beer and slammed the glass down. . “Come on. We’re singing.”

Before I could protest, she grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the small stage.

The next hour blurred into off–key lyrics and forced laughter. Sophia belted out breakup anthems while I swayed beside her, trying to pretend my world

wasn’t crumbling.

She chose all the heartbroken songs–the ones about cheating boyfriends and finding your worth–and I let the music wash over me, hoping it would drown out the voice in my head that kept replaying Julian’s cold dismissal.

Between songs, Sophia would squeeze my hand or pull me into an impromptu dance move, her eyes constantly checking to make sure I was still holding it

together.

After our third song–a particularly dramatic rendition of “Since U Been Gone” that had Sophia doing air guitar solos we stumbled back to our seats, flushed

and slightly breathless.

My throat was raw from singing, and my face hurt from maintaining a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

That’s when I noticed the group of guys at the bar, their eyes tracking us like wolves sizing up prey.

One approached first–mid–twenties, expensive watch, cocky smirk.

“Hey ladies, you two killed it up there.” He leaned against our table. “Can we buy you a drink?”

We’re good, thanks. Sophia’s tone was pleasant but firm.

11:36 am

P

Chapter 27

Come on, don’t be like that.” Another guy joined him, broader, reeking of whiskey. “We’re just being, friendly.”

Sophia smiled, but her eyes went cold. “We appreciate the offer, but we’re having a private conversation.

“Private, huh?” The first guy’s smirk widened. “That’s cute. You know what’s not cute? Shaking your ass up stage all night, then acting too good to talk to

US.”

My spine stiffened. Under the table, Sophia’s hand found mine and squeezed.

“We were singing,” she said evenly. “Not performing for you.”

“Everything’s a performance for us if we’re watching.” The broader guy moved closer. So how about we take this somewhere more comfortable? My buddy’s got a suite at The Plaza. We could really party–all of us together.”

Multiple guys. A hotel suite. The implication was crystal fucking clear.

My hand slid toward my purse, fingers instinctively positioning my keys between my knuckles. Those Krav Maga lessons from college were buried somewhere in my muscle memory. If these assholes didn’t back off-

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