His green eyes finally meet mine, and there’s the same caution in them as in Haven’s.
“No,” I agree. “You didn’t.”
The waiter returns with two wine glasses, pouring for Haven and Kai with a practiced flourish he’s probably hoping will net him a larger tip. “Would you like to hear tonight’s specials, or shall I get an appe?—“
“I’ll call you when we’re ready,” I say, not taking my eyes off the two people across from me.
“Of course, sir.”
He retreats. We’re alone again…as alone as you can be in a restaurant full of strangers.
Haven picks up her wineglass, swirling the contents before taking a sip. Her eyes close briefly, and I watch her throat work as she swallows.
“Nice,” she murmurs.
“I’d hope so. 2018 was a tough year for Châteauneuf, what with all the mildew.”
A ghost of a smile crosses her face before she suppresses it. “Mildew?” she repeats, and Christ, it almost sounds like she’s teasing me.
“Jesus,” Kai mutters sourly.
Haven widens her eyes meaningfully—although the meaning is lost on me—and Kai glances away almost guiltily. My gut twists, and there’s no denying the jealousy now.
I pick up my own glass, taking a long sip. The wine is finally starting to taste a little sweeter than acid. “You’re right,” I say, holding up my glass. “It is tasty.”
Kai grabs his glass and gulps half of it down before setting it down with a grimace. “You’re full of shit. This tastes like ass.”
Haven must kick him under the table, because he flinches and drops his stormy gaze to the white tablecloth. “You’rebothfull of shit,” he corrects sullenly.
I don’t even attempt to argue.
“You’re angry,” I say more calmly than I feel as I slide my hand over the white linen tablecloth toward them. “And you have every right to be.”
“Damn straight.” Kai’s jaw is so tight I’m surprised his teeth haven’t cracked. “You think you can send one pathetic voice note, buy us some dinner, and we’ll just forget everything? All the blackmail, the manipulation, the?—“
“No.” I set down my wineglass. “I don’t think that at all.”
“Then why are we here?” Haven asks quietly. Her fingers are still fidgeting with that necklace, the sapphires catching the glow from the bare bulb dangling above us.
“I want…” I pause, searching for words that don’t sound like more manipulation. “I meant what I said. This isn’t another game.”
Kai snorts. “Yeah? Prove it.”
“How?” Haven asks, turning to Kai. “Literally, how?” Only those iridescent blue eyes move to glance my way. “We can’t trust a thing he says. Everything he does or gives us always has a price tag attached. So how, Kai? Because I can’t think of a single thing?—“
“I’ll do anything.”
The words come out before I can filter them.
Christ, I sound so fucking pathetic and needy it makes me sick. But it’s whattheyneed, and for once, I’m willing to put up with my own discomfort.
“Whatever it takes,” I continue, leaning forward. “Whatever you need me to do so you’ll believe me again. Believeinme. Name it, and I’ll do it.”
Haven and Kai exchange another meaningful look, making me ache to be part of their silent conversation.
Kai turns to me, a glint in his green eyes as he picks up his wineglass. “Anything, Professor?” His voice is low and rough.
“Anything,” I repeat emphatically, even though my voice shakes. I mimic him, picking up my wineglass. He drains his, but I can only manage a swallow before setting it down.
