Page 20 of Siren's Heart

I open the door to the high-rise building for her, and my eyes scan the area as we walk to the elevator, but for once, nobody is paying us any mind.

Fuck it.

I stop fighting the pull and place my hand on her lower back, gently guiding her to the elevators. Through one of the mirrors lining the walls, I see her eyes dance, trying to avoid me as her teeth capture her lower lip.

Once the elevator doors close without anyone joining us, both of us breathe a sigh of relief, chuckling when we hear the other. And just like that, the atmosphere relaxes, and tension seeps out of our muscles.

Compared to the taxi, the silence now is comfortable, and we don’t speak a word, even as we step out on the highest floor and enter the restaurant. She lets me go ahead and talk to the host while her eyes roam over the entryway curiously.

Recognition flashes in the host’s eyes, but he doesn’t act on it, even though I see his eyes almost bulk out of his head when he sees Millie. After all, this restaurant is renowned for the privacy it provides to celebrities: people like Millie and me. 'Discretion' is basically their unofficial subtitle.

"Party of four, yes?" he asks after quickly schooling his face, his eyes darting behind us to check for other guests.

"Yes, we will be joined by two more people later… Michael," I read out his name tag and shoot him a quick smile. My mom once told me that using names makes people feel more liked and respected, and I've tried to live by that advice and use names whenever I can.

Michael nods and leads us through the restaurant, to a secluded section hidden behind a wall of flowers and greenery. Once we step into it, the gentle piano notes from their live pianist turn barely audible, and the soft murmur of people in conversation drowns out.

I pull out a chair for Millie to sit down, and I’m faced with a grateful little grin tugging at her lips, as she does just that. Then I take a seat on the other side of the table, right opposite her.

I’m glad for the barrier to the outside world. Here, it’s the perfect volume to have pleasant conversation without having to talk over other people and music, all while knowing that no one can listen in without consent.

"I really like your bracelet," I tell her when I scoot my chair closer to the table.

"Thank you." She lifts her hand and turns it until the black pearl faces her. "I made it myself."

"That's so cool."

"Thank you," she says again, the red in her cheeks deepening. "I like creating things with my hands sometimes. Helps me shut off my brain."

"I get that.” I nod empathetically. From experience, I know that clay figurines are too nerdy to mention on the first date, so I swallow my urge to tell her about my hobby. Instead, I change the topic. “So, Kayla didn't tell you who you'd be meeting?" I ask her what's been burning on my mind, accompanied by a teasing tone.

"No," she admits, the most wonderful melodic giggle falling from her lips. "She asked me to come along as moral support.” Her curls bounce as she shakes her head. “You realize those two are setting us up, right?" She sounds a bit annoyed at her friend, but the happy twinkle in her eyes betrays her, and I high-five myself internally. She's not mad about it!

"Well, they weren’t exactly subtle about it," I chuckle and prop my elbow on the table, leaning my chin against my palm while I drink her in. The way her eyes dance over me, then away for a moment, like she's embarrassed, but then right back to me. "Asher knew I really wanted to meet you. Officially."

"Well, we are meeting. Officially." She winks at me, and my heart somersaults in my chest. "And now that finally, there's nobody listening in, we can skip the small talk."

"Thank fucking God." I burst into laughter, and she looks adorable with that contagious grin on her face. "But, just for the record, I really did want to know how you're liking Philly so far."

"And I would like to know if you're single, and that's why you wanted to meet me." She narrows her eyes at me playfully, and I gulp. She's direct. I like it.

"I am, and it was. Is. The reason, I mean.” Damn it, I’m flustered. Taking a deep breath, I will my nerves to calm down before I return the question. “How about you?"

"Yes to both," she sighs and reaches for the menu, hiding her face behind the thick paper. "Wonderful to have that out of the way."

"You're telling me," I mumble and reach for the heavy paper card as well. There is a set menu at Fantasia that everyone who dines here receives. Which is completely fine with me. I’ve never heard any complaints about this restaurant. But I'm checking out their drinks, and I’m amazed at how many different wines and champagnes they have. No alcohol for me, though. I want to be sober for every single second of whatever this evening is going to be. I haven’t received any new message from Asher, and right now, there's no telling if he and Kayla will even turn up, or stay wherever they are and let Millie and me have this dinner to ourselves.

A waiter comes over, and we order our drinks – sparkling water for me and homemade grapefruit lemonade for her.

Once he's gone, uncomfortable silence falls. There is so much I want to know that I don't even know where to start, and judging by the strained lines on her face, she's not quite sure which topic to breach, either. And then my phone starts buzzing insistently in my pocket, the sound loud in this little enclosure.

"I’m sorry." I grimace and fumble it out of my pocket to see who dares to disturb this date, rolling my eyes when I see the name on the screen.

Of course, it just has to be Summer with her impeccable timing. With a sigh, I decline the call, but within seconds, it starts buzzing again. I tap the red decline sign again and put it into my pocket, where it instantly makes itself known again.

"It's alright," she assures me with a sweet smile. "It looks like it's urgent."

"I'm so sorry," I tell her as I fish the phone out again, glaring at the device. "It's just my sister. I'm ninety-eight percent sure she just wants to annoy me."

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