Page 18 of Be My Traitor

I turned and walked off to the kitchen without waiting for his reply.

“Hi Lucas.” Ivy wiggled her fingers at her ex-husband in a little wave as he followed me into the kitchen.

“Hey, Ivy. Long time, no see. How are you doing?”

“Good, good, thanks.”

“I hear that you’ve really revolutionised this town, dragged it kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century.”

“Someone had to.” Ivy shrugged modestly. “I might not be the leader of House Archaic my father wanted me to be, but I’m the leader the House needs if it’s going to evolve and grow.”

“Well, I’ve heard nothing but praise for you,” Lucas told her. “And I’m glad. You deserve some happiness in your life. And what about Declan, Archer, and Romy? How are they doing?”

Was it my imagination, or was there a slight catch in his voice when he mentioned my brother?

“They’re good,” Ivy replied. “We have a little boy now. Louis.”

“So I heard.” If Lucas had any issue with Ivy’s unconventional relationship, he didn’t let on, as she pulled out her phone to show off some photos of her son. I know that Lucas had hoped their arranged marriage would work out, but he had underestimated the power of her feelings for the three men she lived with. Ivy had a lot of love to give, but no room in her heart for Lucas and when he realised there was no hope for the two of them, he’d been happy to sign the documents annulling their marriage. Even so, there was a part of me that wondered whether Lucas had really been looking for me that night in the club which had resulted in Amber. I knew my best friend was prettier than me, a better House leader than me, a better catch than me. Of course Lucas would rather have been with her than me.

“You seem lost in thought,” said Lucas, bringing me back down to earth. “Everything okay?”

I shook my head to shake away the negativity. “Yes, fine. Shall we get going?”

“Absolutely. Lovely to see you again, Ivy.”

“Likewise.” Lucas waved goodbye to Ivy before offering me his arm to escort me out to where his driver was waiting for us. The driver opened the door to the back of a stretch limo and I climbed in to find strawberries and champagne laid out.

“I thought we should start the evening with a celebration,” Lucas said, as he followed me into the limo and sat next to me. “I’ve thought about you a lot over the years. You have no idea how happy I am that you’ve agreed to come out with me. This is a new beginning, for both of us.”

He popped open a bottle of champagne, expertly keeping hold of the cork so it didn’t go shooting off in a random direction. He poured out my second glass of champagne of the night and popped a strawberry into it before passing it to me. He did the same for himself then raised his glass.

“To new beginnings.”

“New beginnings,” I echoed, as we knocked our glasses together and took a large sip of champagne.

“I have to say, you look amazing, Milly,” Lucas said, once again looking me up and down. “You’re like a fine wine, only getting better with age. Clearly, motherhood suits you.”

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

It was true. Lucas had always been attractive, but now he was approaching thirty, he was really coming into his own. He seemed larger, but the line of his suit showed off a body that was well defined as if he’d been working out a lot, filling out the wiry frame he’d had when we were at school together. He’d cut off his pony tail and the shorter cut really suited him, showing off his rugged jawline and fine features. His grey eyes were as intense as ever, and as our eyes met over the champagne glasses, I sensed a promise in them. Whether it was of a single night of passion or something more remained to be seen.

We made small talk until the limo pulled up outside the Taj Mahal, a high-end Indian restaurant on the other side of town. Although the place was usually packed out, thanks to the amazing food they served, we walked in to a completely empty room.

“I figured we could use some privacy,” Lucas explained, “so, I booked every table.”

Typical Lucas,I thought.Always has to make some kind of grand gesture when just being himself would be more than enough.

The head waiter, Dave, stepped forward to welcome us. I’d eaten here enough times that I knew all the staff and Dave was a sweetheart.

“Lovely to see you, Ivy,” he beamed. “I had no idea you would be accompanying Mr Donatello this evening. Would you like your favourite table tonight? As you can tell, you can choose to sit wherever you like.”

“Could we sit somewhere at the back, please, Dave?” I requested. Usually, I liked to sit by the window and people watch the passers-by, but although I knew I couldn’t keep news of my date quiet for long, I wanted to keep things discrete for as long as possible.

“Of course, Ivy. Follow me.” Dave made a little bow with his head and led us through the restaurant and out to a raised section in the back. He gestured to a small table tucked away behind a pillar and I gratefully took a seat where no one would be able to see me from outside. Dave lit the candle in the middle of the table and gave us both a menu.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asked.

Lucas nodded to me to choose.

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