“Oh, I plan to.” She leaned forward on her elbows.
Cole’s gaze settled on her mouth. “I’m going to regret saying that.”
The hostess returned with their drinks, crystal glasses catching the warm light as she set them on the white tablecloth. She asked if they needed anything else, received a no from each, and glided back toward the podium.
Aftyn picked up her glass and took a sip. “Very good.”
“Grant only serves the best.” Cole lifted his whiskey.
She was glancing around the restaurant when she saw him. Peterson, cutting between tables with long determined strides, his eyes already fixed on their booth. She felt her fingers tighten around the stem of her glass.
“What the hell,” she murmured.
Cole looked over his shoulder, and she heard the quiet exhale through his nose. “What’s he doinghere?”
“Having dinner, I would imagine.”
“Don’t be a smartass.” He was already getting to his feet.
Peterson reached them, his polished shoes catching the light. His eyes moved from Aftyn to Cole and back.
“Aftyn.” A short nod. “Harrison.”
“Peterson.” Cole’s voice was low and had no warmth in it. “We’re trying to have a quiet evening. What do you want?”
“Your sister just pulled into the parking lot,” Peterson said, looking at Aftyn. “She cannot see you here.”
The words settled over the table like a cold draft. Aftyn set her glass down carefully. “Why not? Maybe it’s time she knows I’m here.”
“This isn’t the time or the place.” Cole put his hand on her shoulder.
She felt the tension go out of her in a slow exhale. “You’re right. But after everything she’s done, now she’s going to ruin this too.”
“I’m sorry,” Peterson said, his voice dropping beneath the low hum of conversation and the clink of cutlery around them. “But I have to agree with Harrison.”
Aftyn looked at him. “You followed her here?”
“Yes. She came in with your ex. Once they parked I came inside to keep an eye on them. I didn’t even know you were here until I walked through the door.”
Cole was already catching the server’s eye.
“Sir? Is everything alright?”
“Is Grant here?”
The server hesitated. “Uh...”
“I’m a friend,” Cole said. “Is he here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get him for me, please.”
The server slipped away toward the kitchen. For a moment there was nothing but the muffled clatter of pots and the low noise of the room, and then Grant appeared, and a few nearby heads turned.
“Cole? What’s going on?”
“Any chance we could get a private room?”
