The Other Woman in His Shadows - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I was mid-conversation when I spotted the company entrance ahead. As I reached the door, my steps faltered—Yves and Jason were waiting there, an unexpected duo that made my pulse skip. Without thinking, I ended the call and approached.
"Brother?" I asked, forcing casualness. "What brings you here?"
Yves grinned. "Just closed a deal. Figured I'd swing by since it's lunchtime—we should celebrate."
Jason's gaze burned into me, intense enough to leave scorch marks. I deliberately looked past him, pretending not to notice. When we moved to the cars, I slid into Yves' passenger seat without hesitation. The way Jason's jaw tightened spoke volumes, though he stayed silent.
At the restaurant, after we'd ordered, Yves smirked and dropped the bomb. "So. Mom booked you a blind date. You're actually going through with it?"
Jason's glass clinked against the table as his hand jerked. "What blind date?" he demanded, whipping toward me.
Ignoring him, I kept my eyes on Yves. "Of course I am. Did you think I was joking last time?"
Jason barked a humorless laugh. "Zoey, I'm not dead. Since when do you do blind dates?"
Yves frowned. "The hell does that mean? What's it to you?"
"She's my girlfriend—that's what!" Jason snapped, eyes locked on me like a challenge.
Silence.
Yves' fork clattered onto his plate. "Excuse me?" He turned to me, incredulous. "Zoey. Is this true?"
I studied both their furious faces and shrugged. "No. Jason and I have nothing between us."
Jason shot up so fast his chair screeched. "Zoey—you can be mad at me, but don't you dare erase us like that!"
Yves held up a hand. "Hold on. If you're together, prove it. Show me one thing."
Jason froze.
And that was the problem—there was nothing. No photos (he'd made me delete the one shadow pic I'd sneaked). No public outings (he'd kept two meters between us like I was contagious). Even our texts were just my messages with his one-word replies.
Watching him flounder, Yves rolled his eyes. "Dude, my sister's gorgeous—I get the fantasy. But this?" He tapped his temple. "Get help."
Jason's face flushed crimson. "We've been together seven years, Zoey! Tell him!" His voice cracked on the plea.
I shook my head. "Stop embarrassing yourself, Jason."
By the time Yves dragged me out (half-eaten meals abandoned), he was muttering about restraining orders. "That guy's unhinged," he warned in the car. "Stay away."
I nodded, staring out the window.
Somewhere behind us, seven years of secrets turned to ash.