Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
It’s a cute restaurant that I walk into, and when I tell the hostess who I’m here for, she guides me to a private section with a few faces I recognize.
Honey stands up, waving, wearing a flowing pink dress that emphasizes her stomach. She’s probably the cutest pregnant person I have ever seen. When I spot her, she sits back down, and Dawson’s hand naturally gravitates to her stomach. He’s always touching her, not just her belly; it could be her shoulder, her hand, or even her lower back. It’s cute even though most of the men sitting at this table are deadly and anything but cute.
I met Rya’s husband when I moved into Honey’s old apartment. Crue barely looks my way, and I don’t take it personally. I’ve come to realize he doesn’t curry favor with many people. His gaze is only ever on his wife. With an exception for Dawson and Honey, at times. He’s cold and not overly friendly, but the way he watches Rya is nothing short of uncomfortable because he devours her with his gaze.
I stop short when I see Anya and River. I didn’t expect them tonight, but I keep my composure, hoping there’s no bad blood with regard to the prank Will set me up for. Either way, I got a plane out of it, so it wasn’t all an entirely wasted effort. The Russian beauty is eyeing me as if she wants to chop my head off, but I have the sense she’s more like Crue and chose not to take it personally.
I haven’t seen Anya since that day, and I gathered from that encounter she’s a very powerful woman. I would say she would be someone I aspire to be, but I think I’ll still be afraid of her.
“You can sit beside me,” Honey chirps as she pulls me toward the chair beside her. The chair on the other side of me is empty. And although it’s nice to sit among these powerful people, it’s also a reminder of my single status. Something I’ve never been bothered about before.
“You’ve met everyone, yes?” Honey asks.
I nod with a smile as I eye the table.
“We were in cahoots to get her a plane. Did the little fucker honor your bet?” Anya asks, and I’m caught off guard.
“He did. I sold it.”
The corner of her mouth curves up into a smile. “Apologies my brother Alek and Lena couldn’t come tonight. For some reason, Alek wanted to take her on a two-week birthday holiday in France. I haven’t heard from either of them since.”
River laughs. “I think she’s more upset about Lena’s disappearance than Alek’s.”
Anya doesn’t respond, taking a sip of her water as a mountain of food is delivered to our table.
“This is River’s new restaurant, and he insisted we celebrate here,” Honey whispers into my ear. “I’ve been dying to try it out.” She smiles happily as she hums to herself over the food.
I glance up, then freeze, when I see Will walking toward us. I almost forget to breathe because, although it’s only been two weeks, I forgot how beautiful he is, especially in his well-fitted suit. The hostess points to our table even though we’re obviously the only guests in this part of the restaurant.
“Thought you could start the party without me?” he says with an arrogant smile.
Dawson smirks as River says, “Here I thought you were dead.”
“You wouldn’t get rid of me so easily,” he replies cheerfully, but I can see the dark circles under his eyes. Then his gaze lands on me. I don’t know what to say or do.
The table falls eerily quiet, and I can sense the others are looking between us.
“Please don’t tell me you two haven’t fucked yet,” Anya says with an exasperated eye roll and throws her napkin. Will’s smile morphs into a smirk.
“Now, Anya, do I ask the last time you took it in the ass? Be pleasant, would you?” Will retorts, his gaze never leaving mine. River shakes his head at them. I’m guessing River is very used to Will’s crudeness.
“I am pleasant,” Anya says, then turns to me. “Was I not?” The table goes silent, and instead of answering, I reach for my wine glass and take a sip.
“Smart woman,” Rya says, her head leaning on Crue’s shoulder.
“Don’t just stand there. Take a seat,” Dawson instructs, and Will does so, happily considering the only chair available is the one beside me.
He’s here. And I don’t know why I’m feeling all sorts of weird about it. I pretend to be unfazed by his presence as he takes the seat next to me.
He leans in and whispers, “Cat got your tongue, milady?”
“I was enjoying my meal,” I say, rather prickly, as I scoop spaghetti onto my plate. I swear I was an Italian in a previous life because I love everything pasta and cheese.