Page 84 of Dare To Live

“Just a hobby.”

“A hobby that caught the eye of one of the biggest rock bands around.”

She shakes her head. “Oh look. Our drinks.” She takes the glass of wine and takes a mouthful. “When do you think Miles and Ivan will arrive?”

I let her change the subject without argument. “I doubt they’ll be far behind us. We can go and see if our table is ready or stay here.”

She takes another mouthful of wine. “Let’s wait here.”

“Is everything okay?” Her nose is buried in the glass, and she won’t look at me.

“What? Yes, fine. Everything is fine. Have you eaten here before?”

“A few times, yeah.”

Silence falls between us, awkward and heavy. Arabella finishes her wine and turns toward the bar. “Can I get another one, please?” While the bartender refills her glass, she pulls her cell from her purse. “I think I’ll text Miles and see where they are.”

“Ari.” She looks up at her name. I cover her cell with my hand. “Relax.”

“But—”

“Why are you so nervous? We’re in a room full of people, and I’ve given you my word that I won’t try to do anything.”

Her tongue sweeps over her lips. “This isn’t what we do, Eli. This isn’t us.”

My head tilts to one side. “It can be.”

She shakes her head. “A leopard can’t change its spots.”

“Maybe not, but they can learn from their mistakes and evolve to survive.”

“Is that what you’re doing?”

“Learning or evolving?” My smile is faint. “A little of both, maybe.”

Her blue eyes hold mine, something kindling in their depths, but before I can really put a name to it, she spins away and picks up her wine glass. “Why don’t we go and see if the table is ready. I’d like to sit down.”

I’m left with the distinct impression that wasn’t what she’d wanted to say, but I follow her to where the host stands beside a small table, checking names on his tablet. He looks up when we reach him.

“Table for four. Travers,” I say. “We’re a little early, so I understand if our table isn’t ready yet.”

He sweeps his finger down a list, then nods. “No, that’s perfectly fine, Mr. Travers. We have your table ready for you. If you’ll follow me …”

He leads us to a quiet corner of the room, and pulls out a chair for Arabella, then places a set of menus on the center of the table. “Would you like to wait for your guests or order now?”

“Bring a bottle of Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet Grand Cru and another glass of bourbon. We’ll wait for the others to arrive before ordering food.”

“As you wish, sir.”

“What is Domaine Lefl-lef … whatever you called it?”

“Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet Grand Cru. It’s a Chardonnay. I think you’ll like it.”

“At five grand a bottle, she better like it,” a cheerful voice interrupts.

I look up to find Miles and Ivan standing beside the table. Miles bends to kiss Arabella’s cheek. “Eli, this is Ivan. My fiancé.”

I stand and hold out my hand “Pleasure to meet you.”

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