“First of all, it was seven months, asshole,” I say, feeling completely fed up now. “Secondly, you broke up with me. You told me not to act out afterwards, and now you're being a complete psycho and embarrassing yourself. It’s over, Vance. You ended it, now go live with your decision.”

“No!” Vance yells, and the entire restaurant stops talking and turns to look at us. “I made a mistake, and I want you back.”

“I don't fucking care!” I bellow.

“Why? What does he give you that I can’t, huh? Just tell me that. What does he have that I don't?”

“I’m everything you're not,” Nas interjects. His deep voice slices through the array of screams like he’s speaking through a megaphone and commands everyone’s attention. Vance freezes as he looks at Nas like he just caught a glimpse of Medusa.

Nas picks up his drink and downs the rest, ignoring the straw, before addressing Vance face-to-face, with unwavering eye contact.

“I appreciate you coming down here and making an ass of yourself,” he begins like there’s no one else in the room but he and my ex. “It shows me just how special Alina really is, and how dumb I’d feel if I ended it with her on the grounds of me being a stupid sonofabitch who’s unwilling to explore with my woman. Looking at you is like peering into my future if I was a complete jackass, so thank you. Now that you’ve shown me the pedestal that Alina deserves to be on, I think it’s time for you to get up and go. You're causing a scene and acting like a fucking baby, and everyone in this restaurant knows she’s out of your league. There isn’t a woman in here who sees the way you're acting and thinks it’s endearing or attractive. You deserve to be alone because you don't know how to treat people. Not just Alina, but people in general. I found you amusing at first, but now my patience has run out. So, say your fucking goodbyes, stand up, tuck your little tail between your legs, and walk away. You're done here.”

The look on Vance’s face is pure fire. His cheeks flush red and the rage in his eyes is unlike anything I’ve ever seen from him before. He balls both of his fists so tight that his arms start to shake and I think he might spontaneously combust right here at the table.

“Who do you think you are?” he growls through his teeth.

“I just told you,” Nas answers. “I’m everything you're not.”

Vance suddenly jumps up from his seat and reaches for my arm, grabbing me by the wrist. “Come outside with me, Alina. We need to talk. Alone.”

“Hey, don't put your fucking hands on her!” Juliana screams.