Page 88 of The Blackmail of Denise Randall

I smile and clink glasses with everyone. My heart feels warm, and I almost want to cry. Is this what happiness feels like? True happiness?

Our first stop is a nice restaurant that Alice made reservations for. She booked its banquet room to keep it private. We all take our seats and look over the menus. I notice there is an extra place setting at our table. I’m about to ask Alice who else is coming when I feel a pair of eyes on me. I look up to find Keaton strolling toward our table. His hair is damp, and he’s clean shaven. The only available chair is next to one of my friends, Jennifer. He politely nods to me and sits. When the waiter returns, I hear Trent tell him this will all be on one check. I lean toward him and whisper, “You can’t pay for everyone’s meal. That’s too much.”

“I’m not. Mom paid for the private room, and Dad gave me their credit card. It’s their treat.”

“Why didn’t they just take me out to eat?”

He shrugs and continues to scan the menu. “I guess they figured you’d have more fun out with your friends.”

“Did they pay for the limo too?”

Trent shakes his head and continues to read the menu. “Nope.”

I sit my menu down and turn my body toward him in the chair. “Then who did? Was it you and Rachel? Y’all really didn’t have to. Although it is super sweet and awesome.”

Once again, he keeps scanning the menu and shakes his head.

“Alice? Noah?”

Trent sits the menu down and levels me with a stare. “I’m trying to decide what to eat.”

“Then just tell me already.”

“Not sure. It showed up, and I got in.”

I give him a skeptical look, before going back to reading the menu. The waiter arrives at our table and sets down a couple of baskets of bread. Then he goes about taking our orders. As I nibble on a roll, my eyes keep drifting down to the end of the table. Jennifer and Keaton seem to be hitting it off well. I can’t help but notice how she has her stupid big boobs on display and is purposefully bouncing them as she laughs. I roll my eyes and tear at the roll.

Leaning toward Alice, I whisper, “Why did you invite Jennifer?”

She looks baffled. “Haven’t you two been best friends for years? You were okay with her joining us for your birthday. What changed in the last-” She pauses when her eyes drift to the end of the table. A slow smile spreads across her face, and she raises her eyebrows. “I see what’s changed. I can’t help but notice you didn’t ask why I invited Keaton?”

“Why did you?”

“He was with Noah when he heard the news and asked if we were going to do anything. I thought it’d be rude to not include him. Are you mad?”

I, violently, rip my bread in half. “I don’t care.”

She snickers, so I decide to ignore her and go back to discreetly focusing on the other end of the table. What’s so damn funny?

I stand and excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room. I’m halfway to the restroom when Jennifer catches up to me. She falls in step next to me and gently nudges me.

“Hey, so I know you left with Keaton on the night of your birthday and I just wanted to know if there’s anything between you two? I mean, he’s just a friend, right? He doesn’t seem like your type.”

I pause and place my hands on my hips. “Why?”

“Why doesn’t he seem your type? Because you usually go for preppy pedigree guys. I figured you’d end up with a millionaire tycoon, attorney, doctor—”

“No.” Has word gotten out about what happened between me and Roland? “Anyway,that’s not what I meant. Why are you asking if there’s anything between us?”

“Can’t I ask?”

“No, you can’t.” I begin walking but then pause. Turning my body slightly, I look her square in the eye and say, “And you can’t have Keaton either.”

I continue to the restroom. Jennifer doesn’t follow.

When I return from the restroom, I find she’s not at the table, and Keaton is missing as well. I sit down, and without looking at anyone, I ask where they are. Trent informs me that Jennifer wasn’t feeling well and needed a ride home. I bet she wasn’t. And ever the gentleman, he no doubt offered her a ride.

Alice leans over and whispers, “To be fair. He’s the only one here with a car.”

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