"The way you came in. The arm around my waist. The 'darling.'" I set the glass down with more force than necessary. "You don't call me darling."
"Perhaps I should start. We're together, aren't we?"
"Femi."
He leaned back in his chair, studying me with sharp eyes. "I missed you," he said finally. "I came to see you and there you were with the wine chap, looking rather cozy. Forgive me for wanting to be close to my girlfriend."
"I wasn't being cozy with anyone. He was showing me wine. For Sebastian's wedding."
"Of course."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." He smiled, but there was an edge to it. "It means nothing. I'm being paranoid. Ignore me."
I wanted to push. I wanted to ask why he felt the need to mark his territory like I was something he owned, why his hand had gripped my waist so tight, why he'd called me darling like he was making a point..
But his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, frowned.
"Sorry, I need to take this." He was already standing. Work thing—won't be a moment."
He was already standing, phone pressed to his ear, walking away.
I sat alone at the table, surrounded by food I hadn't ordered, wine I didn't choose, in a restaurant I'd never asked to visit.
My phone sat in my clutch. I pulled it out. No messages.
I thought about texting Matteo. Apologizing for the abrupt exit. Explaining that I hadn't wanted to leave. But what would I say?Sorry my kind of boyfriend showed up and interrupted our almost-kiss?That wasn't an apology. That was an admission of something I wasn't ready to admit.
Femi returned, sliding back into his seat.
"Sorry about that. Where were we?"
"You were telling me about the Hamptons," I answered lamely. I just… didn’t have the energy to fake an excitement I wasn’t feeling.
"Right. The spa. You'll love it. Very exclusive. They do this treatment with?—"
I shook my head. "I don't want to go to the Hamptons."
He stopped. "What?"
I sighed. Why did I have to explain this to him? He should’ve known about this already.
"I don't want to go to a spa. I don't want to cancel my fittings. I have work to do and I'm going to do it."
"I wasn't asking you to abandon your responsibilities. I was suggesting a break."
"I don't need a break," I said firmly.
He looked affronted hearing my response. "Everyone needs breaks, Isabelle."
"Then I'll take one when I'm ready. Not whenyoudecide I should."
We stared at each other across the table. The candle flame flickered between us.
"Okay," Femi said slowly. "No Hamptons. Message received."
"Thank you."
