The hostess at the stand glanced up politely.
“Good evening.”
“I have a reservation,” Nina said.“Under Nolan Cross.”
He nodded, checked his tablet, then looked up.
“Of course. Right this way.”
She followed him past the main dining floor. The place was clearly expensive. They stopped in front of a wooden door at the end of a quiet hallway.
“Your guest is waiting,” the host said.
She took a breath, then pushed the door open. One step inside—and she froze. Jasper was sitting at the table.
Their eyes met instantly, and she knew at once he hadn’t expected to see her either. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he recovered quickly, tilting his head slightly, as if assessing her.
“Nina,” he drawled, leaning back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
What was happening?
Where was Nolan?
Why was Jasper here?
The door shut behind her, cutting her off from the outside world.
“What areyou doing here?” she asked, holding his gaze.
Jasper lifted an eyebrow, as if asking the same question.
“I could ask you that,” he said calmly.“I came here for dinner.”
Her lips pressed together.
“And where’s Nolan?” she asked, steadying her breath.“He scheduled a meeting with me here.”
Jasper blinked, his expression shifting.
“Oh,” he said evenly, like something had just clicked.“That explains why he didn’t want to push our meeting to a later time.”
She frowned, still standing by the door, inexplicably unable to move closer.
“What do you mean?”
Jasper smirked, his eyes sliding over her.
“He said he was busy. Now I see exactlyhow he spends his free time,” he replied, tilting his head slightly.
Her heart gave an odd, sharp jolt.
Did Jasper think something was going on between her and Nolan? Otherwise, why those pointed remarks?
“Sit down, since you’re already here,” he said easily, casually—like she’d come for him.“Nolan should be here any minute. He’s usually very punctual when it comes to meetings with women.”
She didn’t move. She stood frozen by the door, tension coiling tight inside her. Jasper watched her closely, but she couldn’t read what was going on behind his eyes.
