“I can recommend the fillet.” He eyes me from over the menu.
“Thank you. I’m in the mood for something more creative though. If I come here again, I’ll be sure to check out the fillet though.”
His smile is approving.
The conversation doesn’t flow easily. I go through the usually topics, neatly avoiding anything controversial or where I’m back into a corner, needing to reveal too much of what I don’t want to say.
“How’s your boyfriend, by the way? I assume he knows you’re here with me.”
The question comes from nowhere.
I have no idea what Goldsmith might know. Isaac is his advisor, not my ally. I take a larger sip of wine than I have been doing. I should never have kissed Isaac. I should never have let him see beneath that unpolished crown I wear and pretend is brighter than it is.
“We’re not seeing each other at the moment.”
Goldsmith looks behind me at something I’m not sure of. He pushes his fingers through his fine hair. “Lucky for me.”
I don’t think I’m his type.
Mainly because I’m not a mirror.
“It’s recent and I’m not ready to get involved at the moment.”
He nods, takes a bite of his steak. “You were serious?”
Yes. I was serious. Serious enough to kiss another man. Serious enough to be moved by another man. Serious enough that I couldn’t breathe when I thought about Ben never being in my bed again, or inside me, or looking at me from across room like I’m the only person there.
“Pretty. It’s all very quiet. You know what the media’s like.”
The door to the room opens and I expect to see our wait staff, but instead it’s someone I’m not expecting.
Isaac is wearing a waistcoat and white shirt, curly hair neatly styled and he has glasses on, which I’ve never seen before.
“I’m sorry for interrupting. Do you have a minute, William?” Isaac doesn’t move much further than the door.
William places his napkin on the table and slides his chair back, briefly making eye contact before heading towards Isaac. I hear muttering, whispered conversations, see Isaac glancing over at me as I sip my wine. The sommelier comes over and tops it up and this time I let her.
“I’m really sorry, Blair, but I have to go. We’ve had an emergency.” He picks up his suit jacket. “However, Isaac isn’t needed and he definitely needs dinner, so if you want company while you finish eating, he charges a reasonable rate.” It’s the first joke he’s made all evening.
“I understand. I’ve lost count of the number of family meals we’ve had interrupted because there’s been an emergency somewhere.” I stand and walk round to him, leaning in to kiss his cheek.
He lingers a little too long.
“I’ll contact your office about the New York Open.”
“That’d be good. I’ll check to see if my engagements can be moved around.” I’m lying through my teeth because I’m going to make sure they can’t.
“Excellent.” He presses a kiss to my cheek again, a possessive one. A claim.
* * *
Isaac sits down in Goldsmith’s empty seat, the plates cleared out of the way.
“You survived.”
“What was the emergency?” I take my time to sit.
“Prevented terrorist attack in Coventry. William needs to be briefed and attend a committee meeting.”
