Page 33 of A Sinner's Virtue
“If you’re there, I’m there, babe. Let’s do it.”
“Thank you. I gotta go, but I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you then.” I hang up, fall back on my bed, and close my eyes. I just need a little catnap and then I’ll be ready to deal with the flight home.
Chapter Fourteen
“You look nervous,” I tell Marcel as we walk into the restaurant.
“Is Mikhail having you tailed?” he asks me.
“Why?”
“Because two Russians have been following us since we left your house.”
I look behind me, but I don’t see anyone. “He mention he was going to have me watched.”
“Well, in that case, let’s give 'em something to report back on,” Marcel says and then I’m being dipped backwards before his lips are pressing onto mine.
Holy freaking shit. I’ve seen this move on tv, read about it in books. But the real thing? Apart from the fear that I’m about to go splat against the floor, it’s way better than what I ever would have thought. When Marcel pulls me upright again, my head spins from that Hollywood-worthy kiss.
“You okay?” he asks while smirking down at me.
“Uh-huh. That was… unexpected.”
“Good. Can’t become too predictable on you, now can I?” He winks. Then, with my hand in his, Marcel guides me into the restaurant.
I thought that the whole double-date thing would be fun. But now, I kind of wish I had Marcel to myself. I’m not used to this dating thing, and to be sitting across from a forever couple like Lucy and Dominic has my anxiety climbing.
“You look beautiful,” Marcel says.
“Thank you.” I glance at the booth where Lucy and Dom are already waiting for us. I’ve known them for a few years now. I shouldn’t be nervous.
But then I start to wonder if it’s nerves… or envy.
I used to want what they have, before I accepted the fact that I couldn’t be someone’s everything. That I’d just be a burden. Marcel and I are having fun. I like being with him. I’ve enjoyed the dates he’s taken me on. I love having him in my bed.
But are we destined for anything more? I don’t think so. And that just makes me sad, because I can see myself wanting to be with Marcel for a really long time.
“You know we can leave anytime you want,” he says, keeping his voice low.
“Why would we leave?”
“Because you look like you’d rather be anywhere else right now, Zoe.”
“I’m just nervous. I don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends,” I tell him.
“They’re your friends too, remember? And, babe, there is literally nothing you could do that would ever embarrass me. One, I don’t give a single fuck about what anyone else thinks. Two, you are fucking perfect just the way you are and anyone who says otherwise can book a meeting with the barrel of my gun.”
I can’t for the life of me think of a reply to all of that. So I smile up at him. “Let’s do this. I can do this,” I say more to myself.
Marcel waits for me to slide into the booth before he sits next to me. Lucy scoots around and wraps her arms around me while Domonic and Marcel exchange brief handshakes.
“Double dating. Pretty sure this is what best mates do.” Marcel grins at Dominic.
“Acquaintances also have dinner together, Marcello. Don’t overthink it,” Dom replies.
“Dominic McKinley, play nice,” Lucy scolds.
