I hum and lean forward, intrigued, because Adam sounds like a fucking prick. I cross my arms over the edge of the table, hoping I’ll be able to smell her scent again. There’s too much distance between us for my liking.
Selene mimics me, leaning closer and resting her arms on the table. The tiny candle illuminates her face, and her cheeks and eyes sparkle with tiny flecks of gold from her makeup.
“I recognize that look, Holt Capuleti.”
“What look?” I shift to rest my chin onmy fingertips.
“The look of judgment.”
“I’m not judging. I’m just wondering why you were with him at all when it was clear from the start you hated the idea of spending even another minute with him. I mean, that feeling is what led us here, isn’t it?”
She sits back, placing her hands in her lap under the table. “I have a question.” Her eyes dance around the room. “Why this restaurant?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you choose this restaurant to bring me to? You could have taken me anywhere.”
“Julianna redecorated it a few years ago.” I point to the painting hanging on the far wall. “Our mother painted that.”
Selene twists in her seat before turning back around. “It’s stunning. I didn’t know your mother was a painter.”
“She was for many years.” I nod, the memory of my mother barreling into my thoughts. I think about her every single day, but talking about her gives me a different feeling than usual. “She donated that painting to the restaurant weeks before she died.”
“Random shooting at the subway station, right?” Selene tips her head, full of sympathy. “Jules told me.”
“Yeah,” I whisper, my voice cracking. I open my mouth to tell her more about my mother and all the memories I have of her, but our server abruptly returns, setting two empty wine glasses on the table.
Selene and I watch him open the bottle in silence. He pours a little into my glass before waiting for me to take a sip. I eye Selene over the rim as I give it a taste, then hum in approval, welcoming the warmth it brings to my throat. I didn’t realize how thirsty I’d become in the past several minutes.
The server continues by filling Selene’s glass, then mine before setting the bottle back down on the table.
From the corner of my eye, I see other guests leaning over their tables and whispering. I swear, a few of them even pull out their phones to snap pictures. Perhaps it’s paranoia, maybe it isn’t. It’s true, the story of Rome’s lawsuit is floating around, but being here with Selene is definitely bringing up a fresh story for the media to cover.
I’ve tried to push aside the stress I’ve been feeling over this lawsuit, but all my efforts have been unsuccessful. I’ve prided myself on making a name for myself outside of my father’s political achievements. When you’re the son of the mayor in the largest city in the country, it’s almost impossible to separate yourself from that legacy. And I’ve done that.
Until now.
Now all the media sees is the Capuleti name tied to corruption and manipulation, all to get ahead.
I’ve felt like shit ever since Rome’s slimy little attorney slapped me with the lawsuit outside of West’s bar. The stress of my castle crumbling has taken over every aspect of my life since then. My only relief, the only medicine to this bleeding wound, has been Selene.
I watch her with intensity as she lifts her glass and drinks nearly half her wine in one gulp. Her perfect lips press to the delicate glass, and her head tips back, exposing her soft, smooth flesh. The gold chain wrapped around her neck glints under the gold lighting of the restaurant, the pale blue stone shimmering as she lowers her glass and sets it down on the table.
For as long as I’ve known her, Selene has been comfortable living in the shadows. She’s quiet and reserved. She keeps her heart well-guarded. But I can’t stop this nagging feeling inside of me from growing as I watch her. Ever since our kiss on that stage, she’s opened up to me… whether she realizes it or not.
She’s fiery and opinionated, unafraidto speak her mind. I want to know her more. I want to see this side of her again and again and again.
Fuck, seeing her like this feels like taking a hit of heroine.
At this point, I’ll do whatever it takes to cling to this feeling.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it. It’s been nonstop ever since we sat down.
Selene picks up her menu and studies it. She lifts her hand and tucks her hair behind her ear, but all I want is to feel her. I want to keep her close.
I guess my plan truly will kill two birds with one stone.
Falling for my sister’s best friend isn’t something new for me, either. I thought I had fallen for Rebecca, but it wasn’t like this. This is fucking new.
