I sighed, letting my chin drop. I told her everything. In detail.
“So you let the husband go,” she summarized. “And now you’re with a young billionaire who bakes you a cake? After you tried to dump him? The billionaire boy toy? He’s rich-rich and you didn’t want him?”
“A lopsided cake,” I clarified, a real smile touching my lips. “And yes, because it’s not about the money.”
“Girl, it’salwaysabout the money. You don’t get rid of a man who can buy Paris but makes you a fucked-up cake. That’s love. That’s keep-him-close love.” She shook her head. “So, what are you doing now?”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.
JULIAN:Landed. Where are you?
The simple text sent a warm thrill through me.
ELARA:Brunch with my friend from school. At The Perch.
Shayna raised a brow. “That’s the boy-wonder, right? You’ve got this cheesy, lovesick look on your face.”
“Please shut up,” I mumbled.
Then, our other guests arrived. Half the restaurant paused. Shayna’s husband, Trey, was tall, handsome, and the definition of dark-skinned excellence in a navy suit. He was a corporate lawyer; they’d been married six years. And beside him… Jordan.
Her little brother. Except he wasn’t little anymore. He was broad-shouldered with a beard lined sharper than a razor’s edge. He was in a suit, but he had an edge that whispered he could be a businessman or a criminal. His eyes found mine instantly.
“Oh damn, Shayna. I forgot he looks like that now.”
“Yuck, shut up, that’s my brother.”
Jordan grinned as he approached. “El-lie.”
“You grew up. Must you call me that?” I asked.
“So did you. And yes.” His gaze swept down then back to my face, oozing sex appeal. “D.C. looks good on me. You’d like it. I’m a lobbyist now. Doing big things. And I hear you’ve been doing some… illustrious things yourself.”
Jordan sat right next to me, his knee brushing mine. He smelled like a sophisticated bad decision. Trey clasped my hand. “We’re doing dinner tonight at Minton & Reed. You’re coming.”
Jordan tilted his head. “Yeah. Come. I owe you a dance after prom night got ruined.”
I snorted. “Prom night wasn’t ruined.”
“You brought that bitch Alastair,” Jordan said. “That’s ruined. I had a whole speech planned. I was going to tell you how you were the smartest, most beautiful girl in every room and offer to help you run away.” He gave a regretful smile. “But I never got to. Now you’re free. So let me finally give that speech. Over dessert. Alone. After dinner.”
He was flirting. Blatantly. I opened my mouth to decline—I’d planned to see Julian—when a shadow fell over the table. The smell of a familiar cologne hit me. Julian.
He was in a fitted black sweater and a trench coat, looking jet-lagged and dangerous. He was smiling, but his eyes were like ice.
“Hi,” I breathed. “You should have told me you were coming.”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said simply.
Julian extended a hand to Trey first. Respectful. “Trey. Good to finally meet you. She speaks well of you.” Then to Shayna—warmly. “You must be Shayna. The best friend.”
Then he turned to Jordan. The air tightened. “I’m Julian,” he said, extending his hand.
Jordan didn’t take it at first. He held Julian’s stare like he was sizing up Goliath. Then he shook it. Firmly.
Julian let go first. “She has plans later,” he replied for me, sliding his hand onto the back of my chair. “With me. She won’t be available for dinner.”
Shayna mouthedoh shit.Julian smiled politely at Jordan. “Do you mind if I take that seat?”
