She Regretted It When I Got Engaged

Kirk’s grin widened as he heard her words. “First time seeing Odessa dine with another guy besides me. She doesn’t get much of a male friends you know? Since, you’re familiar with her, let’s exchange numbers,” he said, sliding his phone toward me.

His profile picture caught my eye—a photo of him and Odessa locked in a passionate kiss under a cascade of fireworks. The matching outfits they wore today—a subtle but unmistakable nod to high-end couple's fashion—only emphasized how inseparable they looked.

I silently put my napkin back on the table and stood to leave.

Kirk grabbed my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin where Odessa couldn’t see.

“Hey, buddy, if you don’t want to exchange number, fine. But walking away as soon as I show up? That’s rude. How about I apologize?”

His grip tightened, and I tried pulling free, but weakness overtook me. After a few failed attempts, I finally succeeded—just in time for Kirk’s hand to collide with a server carrying a steaming pot of soup. The tray wobbled, and the soup spilled everywhere.

Odessa screamed as Kirk pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the scalding liquid. I wasn’t as lucky. By the time I looked back, it was too late. My hand bore the brunt of the spill, angry red blisters instantly forming across the skin. The searing pain brought tears to my eyes.

Odessa’s scream pierced the air as Kirk pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the spill like a hero in a melodrama. I wasn’t as lucky. By the time I turned back, it was too late. The soup drenched my hand, angry red blisters forming almost instantly. The searing pain sent tears streaming down my cheeks, blurring my vision.

“Leif, are you okay? Let’s get you to the hospital!” For a fleeting moment, Odessa’s voice was filled with genuine panic. She reached toward me, her usual aloof demeanor shattered. The way she said my name—it was intimate, protective, as if I were someone who truly mattered.

But the moment dissolved as quickly as it had come.

“Kirk!” Odessa gasped, her focus snapping back to him. A faint splash of broth marred his hand, and her face crumpled with worry. “Does it hurt? What if it leaves a scar? Oh, what should we do?”

Kirk, ever the actor, groaned softly for effect but remained calm and collected. “Odessa, don’t fuss over me. I’m fine. Really,” he said, his tone noble. “Go check on your neighbor. He seems to be hurt worse than I am.”

Odessa froze, torn for the briefest moment, but her worry quickly turned to anger. “I don’t care about him! This is all his fault! If he hadn’t flung your hand away, the server wouldn’t have stumbled. Now, because of him, you’re hurt!”

Her voice rang through the restaurant, drawing the eyes of every patron. Judging whispers rippled through the crowd. Even the server, who had looked apologetic moments before, seemed emboldened by her words.

“Sir,” the server stammered, his voice tinged with both fear and indignation. “I warned you to be careful while I was serving the broth. But you deliberately moved his hand into my path! If I hadn’t reacted quickly, this poor man could’ve been seriously injured!”

Odessa glared at me, her frustration boiling over. “Leif, I can’t believe you! Apologize to Kirk!”

The heat on my face rivaled the burning pain in my hand. Her words were a slap harder than any physical blow. My voice shook as I forced myself to speak. “Is this really what you think of me?”

She said nothing. Her silence was deafening, a final confirmation of where her loyalties lay.

Kirk watched the unfolding chaos with poorly concealed glee. He smirked, relishing every moment, before finally stepping in as though to play the magnanimous hero. “It’s okay,” he said, his tone dripping with false kindness. “It’s not entirely his fault. Don’t be too hard on him.”

Odessa’s anger simmered, but she nodded reluctantly, her attention still fixed on Kirk’s supposed injury. Kirk winced dramatically, clutching his hand. “Odessa, this burn stings pretty badly. We should go get it looked at. Let’s not make things harder for your neighbor, okay?”