He slid the red box toward me. "Saw you sitting alone yesterday... It didn't sit right with me. You don't really have anyone else here, do you?" Then, casually: "You book your flight home for Thanksgiving yet?"] "Yeah," I said quietly. "I did."] Just not to where he thought.[] "Send me your flight info. I'll pick the seat next to yours."[] Before I could reply, Ayla's voice sliced through the cafeteria chatter.[] "Tanner." She stood there, eyes sharp, phone in hand. "You said you had 'something important' to do."] Sometimes I wondered if she had notifications set for every time he breathed near me.[] Tanner didn't even flinch. "I do. This is important."] But Ayla wasn't buying it.] "You ignored my texts all day. I thought you were busy with family stuff. Or, I don't know, actual important things." ] Chapter 6 Her voice dipped, cold and clear. "Not this."] She didn't blink. "If you didn't want to hang, you could've just said so. I don't do clingy."[] Then she dumped her tray loudly onto the nearest table and walked off-like I was the other woman and she'd just caught us.]] I didn't even look after her. "Go. She's waiting."[] I wasn't about to waste good chicken. Once I left, there'd be no more Jollibee.] Tanner studied my face, misreading my calm as quiet victory.[] "Wait, so you're seriously not gonna fight me on this?"] He leaned in, searching my eyes for a sign of the old Addie-the one who cared.] "Do what you want, Tanner. It doesn't involve me.' "D My tone caught him off guard. He stilled, then sighed like he was the one being patient.[] "You think I'm oblivious, but I'm not. I just feel sorry for her. Her life's been hard."[] "Not everyone grows up loved like you did, Addie. You wouldn't get it."[] "But even though you've always been loved... I still chose you. Remember that."[] I didn't grace that with a response. Just dipped another piece of chicken in gravy.]] Tanner watched me eat, a satisfied look spreading over his face. He thought he'd won.[] He pulled out his phone, snapped a picture of me mid-bite, and posted it to his IG story with: Another crisis successfully managed. Little miss jealous is eating again (0) Block Move On- Your Little Crachabu Ungraded to