We look at Xander pouting at our lack of interest in whatever tale he began telling about Camilla and her new boyfriend. Don’t ask me who Camilla is, I have absolutely no clue.
“Sorry, dude. Go ahead and enlighten us about Camilla and her more than boring personal life.”
I slap a hand over my face at Olivia’s words. “You’re being mean!”
“Someone has to be. Don’t tell me you give a shit about gossip?”
“I don’t but don’t say it like that. Poor Xan is gonna go cry in Liam’s arms if you keep it up.”
“Bro, I’m right here!”
The four of us burst out laughing and even Xander has no choice but to follow suit because he knows we’re just fucking around.
27
Aoi
“Aoi,” Jason’s deep voice snaps me out of my daydream. I notice his frown deepen as he stares at me.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought.” I shut my eyes, shaking my head.
He sighs and takes a sip of his red wine without breaking eye contact. “What’s so important for you to completely forget my presence?” he asks, a mist of annoyance lingering in his voice.
We sit at a table next to the floor to ceiling windows of a gorgeous penthouse restaurant. Whenever he invites me to dinner, we eat in expensive and shallow places. Sometimes I wonder whether he even knows me at all but then I feel guilty for doubting his genuine intentions.
“Nothing. Why are we suddenly having dinner?”
He sets his wine down on the table and crosses his arms over his chest, his demeanor shifting to one of sharp seriousness. The chandeliers and crimson carpets match his sophisticated charm but compared to the warm tones of the candles he’s akin to an ice sculpture.
“How long do you still intend to take care of the boy?” he asks, eyes burning a hole through my skull.
Exhaustion weights on me after such a long week spent working and studying for my courses while caring for Visha as well as I can. I’d be lying if I said I don’t have it hard now ever since I brought him in. Still, IloveVisha, for no reason onEarth would I kick him out. Jason can bitch and moan about disliking him, and he can keep repeating how I did myself a huge disservice by taking him in, but I don’t care.
“How about moving on to something more interesting?”
Jason’s brows furrow. “No.”
I push my chair back. “Well too bad then because I’m leaving.”
I stand up and slide my arms through the sleeves of my jacket. It’s slowly getting warmer as spring blooms in Seattle.
I’m about to exit the bustling room when Jason grips my arm firmly, impeding me from leaving. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to start an argument. Trust me.”
Trust him? He lost that privilege three years ago as he fucked me then deceived me. I yank my arm out of his grasp and scoff. He lies through his teeth like it’s second nature, it’s as easy as greeting someone for him.
“You asked me out for a reason I presume? If it was all just to have a stupid dinner when you know I’m busy and have someone to go home to, then we can call it a day,” I rebuke, holding a hand up as he tries to interject. “And don’t youdarecomplain about Visha again.”
He huffs and brings his perfectly combed hair back. “Whatever I say you won’t listen,” he whispers, avoiding my fuming gaze.
I want to tell him that it’s not true, that I always listen to him and that he’s the only one I really trust, but I don’t. I’m too tired to defend myself.
“Get to the point. You have two minutes.” I slump, crossing my arms over my chest and press my lips into a thin line.
He gestures for me to sit but I can’t be bothered and remain where I stand, tapping my index finger against the outside of my bicep.
“I may have found out some information on the kid,” he baits me, knowing I’ll bite the hook.
He waits for me to sit before continuing, and since this concerns Visha, I need to know. Plopping back on the chair, I gesture at him to speak. A nonchalant smile curls at his lips as he leans forward and takes a long sip of his wine.
