Mr. Big Shot: An Enemies To Lovers Romance (Kinda Cocky Book 1), стр. 18
And I knew I’d never be able to afford my bill for the night.
“Ma’am?”
I blinked. “Sorry. Yes. Um, I’m with the birthday party being thrown here tonight?”
“Wonderful,” she said, grinning. “Then, I won’t have to turn you away.”
“I’m sorry. Turn me away?” I asked, confused.
The woman gestured ahead. “No, you’re in the right place. I’ll show you where everyone is.”
I followed the woman through the restaurant, and it finally dawned on me why it seemed so empty. Her father had rented the entire place for Kelly’s birthday party. The idea made me grin. That was just like Kelly and Roxy’s dad. He spoiled them senseless, and they drank up every second of it. And with Roxy only being a year younger than Kelly, their father didn’t even get the luxury of recycling ideas based on age.
It was always something original with that family.
And they always seemed to outdo themselves.
“Karina!” Kelly squealed from across the room, and Roxy came rushing for me.
She held her arms out, and I wrapped myself around her, hugging her as tightly as I could. Her birthday dress was nothing more than an elongated tube top. I wasn’t sure how in the world she was keeping her ass from falling out of the bottom. But it didn’t matter.
The only thing that mattered was her night.
“Oh, how is it possible to miss you when I only saw you last night?” I asked.
She pulled away, smiling. “You have a lot of explaining to do regarding last night.”
“Later.” I felt the heat rising in my cheeks.
Roxy slow-clapped. “I knew it. I knew you left with him.”
“Not here. Not now. Later, okay?” I shook my head.
I peered between the two girls and saw a sprawling table. It looked to sit at least forty different people, and of course, Kelly’s place was at the head of the table. With a crown on her head and a sash over her chest, she linked her arm with mine, leading me to a chair as my eyes locked with his.
With Zane’s.
Who was sitting right there at the table.
“All right. Here’s your seat, beautiful.”
Of course, my seat would be right next to his.
“Zane,” I said softly.
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
“All right! I’m going to leave you two to it. And later on? Story time,” Kelly said.
Then, she and Roxy ventured back down to the end of the table. Leaving me alone. With Zane.
The man I abandoned earlier that morning.
I swallowed hard as I pulled out my chair. I drew in a deep breath, finding the courage within me to sit next to the man I had so fervently disappeared on. My back stiffened as I sat down. A man came around and filled my wine glass with what smelled like a decadent red wine. Probably to go with the bread and olives and cheese that adorned the table. I thanked him for the drink, then reached for my glass.
Zane’s voice filled my ear. “You look wonderful tonight.”
I brought my wine glass to my lips to give myself a reason not to respond.
I couldn't get back into it. I couldn't just start talking to him. Not after what I did. Not after what happened. I didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t want to rehash any of it at such a lovely birthday party. But, everyone seemed congregated at the head of the table where Kelly was.
Leaving the two of us alone.
In the middle of the table.
“So, we can’t even say hello?” he asked.
I cleared my throat. “Not here, no.”
“So, what? I’m just supposed to sit here and not acknowledge you?”
“We can be cordial, sure.” I kept my eyes ahead, smoothing my napkin in my lap.
“Well, that’s what I tried to be. Until you used your wine as an excuse not to say hello.”
My lip twitched. “I just love being called out.”
He nodded. “Then, maybe you’ll enjoy it when I ask you why you never came back to your place this morning.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from firing back. I didn’t want to fight with the man. Not there. Not then. Not, well, ever. I took another long pull from my wine glass before I reached for a piece of cheese, distracting myself as much as I could. But Zane was wearing that cologne. And even out of the corner of my eye, I saw how handsome he looked.
Damn it, the man could wear a suit.
“I mean, I usually enjoy a bed to myself, but it could have at least come with breakfast.”
I bit back a giggle. “I’ll remember that for next time.”
“Oh, so there’s a next time, huh? I’ll make sure to drive my own car. Just in case.”
I lifted a brow, keeping my voice low enough that the people around us couldn't hear. “You have your own car? I thought you had people chauffeur you around all the time.”
“Nah, that’s more Brenden’s style. I enjoy riding around with the top down and singing at the top of my lungs. You would’ve heard my tunes this morning, but I thought it might be odd to use your shower while you weren’t there.”
I shot him a look. “I get it, okay?”
He grinned. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or be pissed. So, I decided to throw back the rest of my wine. He chuckled, and the sound dripped over me like warm butter over bread. I raised my finger to signal the waiter. He refilled my wine glass, and I figured, to hell with it. If I racked up a bill of three hundred bucks on drinks alone, the charge on my credit card would be worth it.
Especially if I had to sit next to Zane all night.
“So, how’s the job search going?” I felt Roxy’s hands slip down my arms as she settled her chin on