Page 29 of In Love and Revenge

‘More wine?’ the server offers.

‘Another bottle, please,’ Charlie replies.

The back of my neck heats as I mentally add up the cost. Charlie suggested this place tonight – insisted, really. Maybe because it was his idea he’ll offer to pay, but I can’t count on it. He’s been more than happy to accept my offer to go halves when we’ve dined out before.

The server disappears and I stab a piece of lobster. The aroma makes my mouth water, and I take a bite. Damn, it is good. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten so many crisps. Even the sourness in my stomach, knowing I’m about to dump Charlie, can’t ruin the dish for me.

I take another mouthful, moaning around my fork.

‘Steady on, it’s not going to swim away.’ Charlie chuckles, cutting into his steak.

I lower my fork to my plate, cheeks heating, and nod gratefully when the server returns and offers to refill my wine. I lift my glass and knock a giant swig back, earning myself another judgemental look from Charlie.

Maybe I won’t feel guilty breaking up with him after all.

‘As I was saying, I told one of the guys at work your name.’

‘He wouldn’t have found my vlog; I use a different one.’

Charlie chews his steak, his brows rising as he swallows. ‘Why?’

‘Why what?’

‘Why the fake name?’

I shrug. ‘A lot of people don’t use their real name online. Not their full one at least. For privacy.’

‘So people don’t find out stuff about you that you don’t want them to know?’ Charlie says.

The hairs on the back of my neck prickle and I avert my eyes from his questioning ones.

‘That, and for personal safety.’

He lifts his glass and leans back in his seat, studying me as he takes his time drinking. I shift in my seat. I preferred it when he couldn’t stop staring at my boobs.

I look around the restaurant, feigning interest in the artwork on the walls to avoid his gaze. My eyes land on a couple sitting at a table on the far side of the room. The woman is talking animatedly to her dinner companion, hands gesturing, before she pushes a curtain of glossy hair over one shoulder.

But the man ... his dark eyes are fixed on me.

My breath stalls.

‘No bloody way,’ I scoff quietly.

Charlie frowns, then turns to see what’s captured my attention. ‘He a friend of yours?’

I press my lips together and narrow my eyes. Rafael fucking Fairfax raises his glass of wine, his eyes fixed on mine as he takes a sip. His date excuses herself and picks up her clutch, heading towards the bathrooms. Yet he never breaks eye contact with me.

‘No,’ I reply. ‘Definitely not.’

‘He should keep his eyes to himself then,’ Charlie grunts, glaring at Rafael before turning back to me. His attention immediately drops to my breasts, and he reaches for my hand like he has to stake his claim.

‘He’s not looking at me,’ I lie.

Charlie doesn’t seem convinced, but he lets it go, squeezing my hand. We eat in silence for a few minutes before he speaks again.

‘So, my friend ... when I told him your surname was Thorne, said something really weird.’

Rafael’s eyes are still burning through me like lasers, making every millimetre of my skin heat. He hasn’t looked away from me once.