I didn’t try to keep the conversation going—it was clear he was busy. The guy was always on the clock. I honestly didn’t know how being in such high demand all the time didn’t drive him insane.
Realizing that I was twirling my ankle madly enough to sprain it, I forced my leg to stay still. It wasn’t just nerves that were pricking at me and making me restless. I still hadn’t quite shaken off the annoyance I felt at Owen. He had no freaking right to turn up at my home and … No, I wasn’t going to think about him. I wasn’t going to fume about the things he’d had the nerve to say.
Turning to the window, I rested my loosely clasped hands on my lap and did my best to let all my edginess slip away. Yeah, it didn’t work.
“What’s bothering you?”
The question almost made me jump. I looked at Dane and shrugged. “Nothing.”
“You’re annoyed about something. What?”
“It’s not important.”
“But it’s bugging you enough that you look ready to punch someone.” He pocketed his phone and pressed a button that raised the privacy screen between us and the driver. “Tonight, I need you to be all about us. Your head can’t be elsewhere. So, tell me what’s wrong.”
I sighed. “I had a brief visit from Owen earlier.”
A slight hardness slid into Dane’s expression. “What did he want?”
“To talk.” Not wanting to go into any detail, I added vaguely, “He might be a problem.”
“He wants you back,” Dane guessed, his tone clipped. “I thought he was married.”
“He and his wife have filed for a divorce, apparently. I told him that I’m involved with someone. I didn’t say who,” I hurried to add.
“Did it deter him?”
“No, but he’ll back off eventually.”
“If it comes to it, I’ll deal with him.” Dane adjusted his cufflink. “Who ended the engagement? You or him?”
“Him,” I reluctantly admitted.
“Why?”
I inwardly groaned. “Do we have to talk about this?”
“It’s the sort of thing I’ll need to know if we’re to pull off our act. A woman would normally tell her new partner why she separated from her ex, right?”
True. “He wanted to start afresh and reinvent himself. That meant leaving behind anything or anyone that was part of the old him.”
“I see. Did you give him an earful?”
“No. I wished him well and then hung up.”
Dane’s brows snapped together. “He broke off the engagement by phone?”
I gave a curt nod. “I’m sure you can now understand why I really wasn’t delighted to see him at o-Verve.”
“Does he have a shot at winning you back?”
“Hell, no.”
Dane’s gaze pinned mine. “You need to be sure, Vienna. I can’t have you backing out on me in a few months, declaring you can’t go through with our plans because you’ve realized you still love him.”
“That would never happen for two reasons. One, I don’t love him. Two, I wouldn’t leave you in the lurch like that.”
“You’re in this until the end? I have your word on that?”
“Yes. And you know I won’t break it.”
Just then, the car began to slow. I looked out of the window and saw the restaurant in the near distance.
When the vehicle stopped, Dane said, “The moment we step out of the car, it’s—”
“Lights, camera, action?” I supplied.
“Yes. And we’ll stay in character right up until the end of the night. I trust Sam, but not even he can know this isn’t real. He doesn’t have your poker face. If anyone questioned him about us, they’d see right through his lies.”
“Understood.”
My door was pulled open. I smiled at Sam as I slid out of the car. He escorted me to the other side, where Dane waited. As I turned to face the restaurant, I didn’t miss Dane’s swift intake of breath behind me. My back was mostly bare, due to the tasteful V dip in the dress.
That didn’t stop him from splaying his hand on my lower back, resting his palm just above my butt. It was bold and proprietary and made my stomach all fluttery.
Casual and confident, he steered me into the restaurant. The pressure from his hand was light but very much firm and dominant as he, essentially, took control.
Inside, my brows lifted as I glanced around. This was no casual restaurant. There were no comfy booths, no wall-mounted TVs, no empty tables piled with dirty dishes, no waitresses in mini-skirts.
I also couldn’t see a single kid anywhere. There were lots of classily dressed ladies and well-groomed men. The wait staff here were as smartly dressed as the patrons.
Voices murmured. Silverware clinked. Classical music played softly in the background. With its expensive décor, hanging chandeliers, and crystal dishware, the place was both charming and elegant. The dim lighting and flickering candles also gave it a cozy, intimate atmosphere and softened its snobby edges.
It wasn’t the scents of various foods that dominated the air. It was perfume, cologne, fresh flowers, and burning candles.
My high heels click-clacked on the marble floor as we were led to a table near the large window. A prime spot for sure.
As Dane pulled out my chair for me, he lightly stroked my earlobe and said, “I like the earrings.”
I almost startled at the subtly flirtatious touch. He was smooth, I’d give him that. Remembering to play my part, I made sure my smile was just a little on the flirtatious side as I replied, “Thank you.” I sat on the padded seat, which he then smoothly slid toward the table.
No sooner had he settled on the seat opposite me than he ordered a bottle of red wine, probably remembering it was my drink of preference. He filed everything away in that incredibly perceptive brain.
The waiter handed us menus and then disappeared. Dane slightly adjusted the positioning of the small candles, the floral centerpiece, and the salt and pepper shakers. He wasn’t fidgeting. It was more like he was claiming the space and making it his own.
I scanned the menu, unsurprised that the selections were all gourmet dishes. I’d probably go with the prime rib. Honestly, this wasn’t really my scene. I preferred Italian food. Mostly pizza.
“I’ve never seen you with your hair down before,” he said.
I lowered the menu. “It wouldn’t have been professional to turn up at the office looking like this.”
“Hmm.” His eyes slowly skimmed the length of my hair from the roots to the curled ends. It felt like he’d stroked it.
“I didn’t expect you to bring me here,” I said.
“Why not?”
“I’m usually the one booking dinner reservations for you and your lady friends. This isn’t where you take them.”
“Which is why I brought you here. If this was truly a serious date, I’d take you somewhere different than I took the others, so you’d know I don’t see you as a simple companion for the evening.”
I nodded. “Gotcha.”
The waiter appeared with our wine, took our food orders, and then left.
Dane picked up his glass. “Tell me about your family,” he said.