turned to see him sitting at the table, watching their heated discussion.
“I should really get back.”
“To your boyfriend?” Troy asked, his voice low as he stared at Luke with contempt in his deep eyes. Elle used to crave the soulful, expressive nature of those eyes. Now, they held nothing for her but disdain. Her stomach flipped and she felt like she could vomit.
Wouldn’t that just be the icing on the cake?
“Yeah,” she said softly, not wanting to explain the nature of her relationship with Luke. The conversation was awkward enough already. “To my boyfriend.”
“Lucky guy.” His words were snide, as if he was trying to transfer his anger to its rightful owner. She knew who that owner was. They both did. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and tilted his head to the side. “Has anyone warned him yet?”
“What do you mean?”
“Not to get too attached, the poor sap.”
His words were like a swift punch to the gut. And she knew if she didn’t walk away that instant, she’d sob in front of him, exposing her pain to the world. There was no way she’d allow that. Not after ten years.
“Good-bye, Troy.”
Elle returned to the table, leaving Troy standing at the bar. Luke had paid the bill and requested their pizza be boxed up to go. Elle was grateful for the gesture as she knew she couldn’t stand being inside Troy’s restaurant for even just a moment longer.
She needed to run far, far away from Anthony’s Pub.
Wanna talk about it?”
Luke’s question interrupted the hurricane inside Elle’s head as they drove along the highway, headed back to Elle’s home. Thoughts of Troy, both good and bad, flew with wild abandon around her brain. Despite the calm, tranquil breeze of the evening, she couldn’t focus on anything, not even Luke’s request. She shook her head. She knew it wasn’t fair to shut down in such a manner but had no idea what to even say.
Luke reached to take her hand in his. Elle squeezed his fingertips while staring at the road ahead, attempting to process the events of that evening. Troy lived in California, not back in Chicago as she’d assumed. He owned a restaurant only half an hour from her place. And if his eyes were any indication, he still resented her just as much as the day he left her behind in their hotel room at the Bellagio. That final thought made a chill run down her spine.
Even though she was filled with resentment and lingering questions toward her ex, the thought of him hating her was just . . . too much.
Luke released her hand and turned off the radio. “Listen, I’m not gonna pretend to know what happened back there, but whatever it is, you can tell me.”
Elle turned to face Luke. His wavy locks blew in the evening breeze. He was so handsome, with such a good heart, she knew he deserved to know the truth about Troy, the truth about her past. But their relationship was new and she was apprehensive.
“He’s an ex.”
Luke chuckled and patted her bare knee. “I figured that.”
“A complicated one.”
“Were you together long?”
Elle shook her head before resting it on her hand. Her elbow perched against the interior of Luke’s SUV. “On and off. We couldn’t seem to figure it out.”
“What did he call you . . . back at the restaurant?”
Elle pressed her eyes shut before repeating her nickname. “Rigby.”
Luke paused. “What does that mean?”
“It’s from the Beatles song.” Elle waited for Luke to make the connection to the song, but his brow remained knitted as his eyes remained on the road. “My real name is Eleanor. Elle is just a nickname.”
“Sorry, I don’t know the song. I’m not really a fan.” He clenched his teeth, baring his pearly whites in a please forgive me manner.
Of course listening to the Beatles wasn’t a prerequisite to date her, but she always found herself surprised when people weren’t as wrapped up in the pop culture icons as she was. “Oh, I had no idea. Sorry, I just assumed—”
“I don’t dislike them or anything. I just prefer the Stones.”
Elle liked the Rolling Stones, but in her mind there was no comparison. She’d once read an editorial in which the writer claimed the 1960s were all about the Stones, not the Beatles. She’d vehemently disagreed.
Luke cleared his throat and continued. “So when did you go out?”
“Ten years ago.”
“Wow. Long time.” He paused, shifting in his seat. He looked uncomfortable and Elle could