chapter 7

(unedited)

Throughout the course of the month, Austin and Ally spent almost every lunch break together. Austin would pick her up at 12:30 sharp outside of her office building and they would drive off to some place to eat, or even just go back to Austin's work and have an ice cream. Today was no exception, and Austin felt a little daring. His boss let him take his lunch break half an hour earlier today, and Austin had a plan. Ally had always asked him to visit her in her office, but the blond man never really got around to it.

Until today.

Austin parked in the parking lot today instead of the curb to wait for Ally and checked his phone for the time. It was 12:15. He was right on time. He smiled to himself and got out of the car, grabbing a paper bag filled with two burgers and fries. He shut the door and made his way to the entrance of the large building. When he walked in, he immediately felt underdressed, having his white button up shirt unbuttoned all the way to reveal a white tee underneath and his black jeans and converse. He looked like a peasant compared to the lawyers who were wearing expensive suits and dresses. He walked up to the receptionist, an older lady, maybe in her mid 50s with graying hair pulled back into a bun and wire glasses perched on the bridge of her nose. She had a kind face and Austin immediately took a liking to her when she gave him a warm smile compared to the other employees that eyed him with disgust.

"How may I help you?" She asked sweetly, her smile was straight and pearly white.

"I'm looking for Ally Dawson's office." Austin said, and the old woman smiled wider.

"Oh, sweet Ally. Are you her boyfriend?" She asked excitedly and Austin shook his head, laughing a bit and cheeks heating up.

"Oh no, we're just friends. I just came to visit and eat lunch with her." He explained and the woman nodded.

"We'll you and her would look like a fine couple. Her office is on the 8th floor to the right. Can't miss it." She told Austin and he smiled, thanking her. He turned around and walked towards the elevator. He pressed the button and the door opened quite quicky, men in black ties and women with black pencil skirts flooding out. He got in after the tsunami of lawyers left the quite large elevator. He pressed the number 8 and before he could blink, the elevator shot up and reached the 8th floor. He exited quietly and walked to the right. There were two offices right next to each other. They both had walls made from glass letting Austin see who was inside. One of the offices had a young man doing what seemed to be a crap ton of paperwork and in the other office, he saw Ally talking to someone. He moved a little so he could see whoever the person she was talking to was and he immediately narrowed his eyebrows. She was talking to a man with brunet hair that looked about the same age as them. He was cradling Luke in one arm and holding Callie's hand with the other. Austin wondered if that man was Ally's ex husband and a wave of jealousy overtook him. He barged inside the room quickly, interrupting the talk between the two brunets.

"Austin?" Ally widened her eyes, shocked at the sudden intrusion. The brunet man who was short compared to Austin looked shocked and confused.

"Who's this?" The brunet man asked, seeing how Callie let go of his hand to run and hug Austin. Austin returned the hug and Callie stayed by the blond's side.

"Did I interrupt something? I'm sorry, I didn't know." Austin apologized, not sorry at all and put the paper bag of food down on a random side table. Ally narrowed her eyes and placed a hand on her hip.

"You can literally see through my wall." She said deadpanned and Austin shrugged.

"So anyways, I'm Austin Moon, friend of Ally's. And you are?" The blond introduced himself, sticking out his hand for a handshake. The brunet hesitantly accepted it, tightly gripping the blond man's hand causing Austin to squeeze a bit harder.

"Elliot Christian. Pleased to meet you." His hazel eyes met Austin's dark brown ones and the blond could see how fake the brunet's smile was.

"Elliot's my co-worker... and ex husband." Ally explained, grabbing Luke from his dad and cradling him in her arms.

"Oh.. Well, I brought us lunch." Austin mentioned, motioning over to the paper bag and Ally smiled, thanking him softly.

"Ell, and I just need to discuss one more thing, and then we can eat. You can just take a seat." Ally smiled again, and though he felt butterflies from it like he always does, rage was bubbling at the pit of his stomach from the nickname she had called him. Austin just forced a smile and nodded, taking a seat by the door. Callie went back over to hold her dad's hand and groaned out loudly.

"When can I go back home, daddy?" She asked boredly and Elliot just ruffled her hair, laughing at the small girl. Austin stared at the family, not bothering to listen to what Ally and her ex husband were talking about because he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts.

Now, Austin Monica Moon does not get jealous. Why? Because he's damn perfect and he knows he has nothing to be jealous of from anybody. Which is kind of the reason why he was so confused when he felt the pit of his stomach burn in rage when he saw Ally wearing her brand named black pencil skirt and black blazer and Elliot wearing his brand name suit and tie standing next to each other talking with Ally holding Luke in her arms and Callie gripping tightly onto Elliot's hand looking like a perfect, successful family living the goddamn American dream.

After a few moments of the two talking and Austin drowning in his own self pity, Elliot left with Callie and Luke, bidding Austin a quick good bye. Ally looked at the blond who was pouting on the chair in the corner of the room and giggled.

"You good?" Ally asked, and Austin didn't respond, not knowing how to react after meeting the woman he likes's ex husband.

"Uh, yeah," Austin started, "Elliot seems like a cool guy. I didn't know you guys work together."

"Actually, we don't usually see each other around the building that much, he was just in here because we were talking about letting Callie and Luke go on vacation with him and his girlfriend and their kids." Ally explained and suddenly a huge burden was lifted off of Austin's shoulders after hearing Elliot has a girlfriend.

"Jealous much?" Ally teased, opening the brown bag and grabbing a hand full of fries. Austin scoffed, blushing slightly and mentally slapping himself because god, was he that obvious?

"As if, Ms. Dawson." Austin replied slyly. And maybe that was a lie, but Ally didn't have to know about that.

...

Finally met le ex hubby. Elliot didn't have a last name so i just made his last name his last name in real life. Cody Christian is MY FAV. hope you guys liked this chapter and i love ya'll

till next time!

xx jessica