“We are actually childhood friends.” I smooth my napkin. “I reconnected with Silas and his brothers a few months ago.”
Richard leans back. “I heard you’re Ben’s little sister. It’s funny how that worked out—childhood friends turning into something more.”
“Not that funny,” Silas says. “I’ve known what I wanted since I saw her again after all of those years.”
My face heats.
Richard lifts his glass. “To second chances. And may I offer my congratulations to you two and your brothers.”
We drink. Richard doesn’t ask more questions. He accepts our relationship the way everyone else has, like unconventional is normal when you have enough money.
The food arrives, and Silas’s hand stays on mine between courses.
Richard notices. “You two are very convincing.”
Oh my god, what does that mean?
Silas doesn’t miss a beat. “Convincing?”
“Newlyweds.” Richard grins. “You can always tell. The way you look at each other. Like you’re in love, but still learning.”
“We are.” Silas’s hand moves to the back of my neck, warm and possessive. “Still learning. And very much in love.”
I swallow. Hard.
The waiter clears our plates, and Richard excuses himself to take a call. The moment he’s gone, Silas’s hand drops from my neck.
I exhale, but I immediately miss the warmth of his skin.
He leans closer. “You’re doing well.”
“I’m trying not to hyperventilate.”
And while that’s true, it’s not because I’m nervous. It’s because I’m enjoying the fake affection a little too much.
His mouth curves. “You’re better at this than you think.”
“At lying?”
“At handling people.” He leans closer, and I smell cologne. “You don’t try too hard. People like that. I like that.”
I don’t know how to respond, and Richard returns before I figure it out.
We’re halfway through dessert when Silas’s phone buzzes. He glances at the screen and then frowns.
“Problem?” Richard asks.
“It’s the pilot.” Silas answers the call and listens to the pilot speaking on the other end. After a minute or two, Silas responds, “Understood.”
He hangs up and meets Richard’s eyes. “Weather moved in. Fog. We’re grounded until morning.”
The implication sinks in.
Richard curses under his breath. “I checked out of the hotel this morning. I will need to rebook something.”
“We’ll leave as soon as we can in the morning.” Silas’s tone is all business, but I catch the brief look he shoots my way.
We settle the bill and step outside. The fog has already rolled in, swallowing streetlights and turning the city into something ghostly. Richard walks beside us, making small talk.
