Page 5 of Misguided Vows

I push the bottle into his hands, my smile growing wider as I try to force it. “Maria told me you got me the opportunity in New York.”

He takes it, smirking. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

Why do I so badly want to punch his face?

William Walker inexcusably has an air of assholery around him.

“Thank you, I appreciate it.” I’m still smiling, and I’m certain he can read between the lines of what I’m actually thinking because his own smile grows wider.

“It’s no problem at all. You may suck when it comes to etiquette, but you do excel in your work at the very least,” he says, purposefully provoking me. I can feel my temple pulse as I don’t so much as bat an eye at his insult, and instead turn to his sister.

Maria pulls me in for a hug. “I’m sorry about him. This is why he will forever be a fuck boy,” she says, locking eyes with her brother.

“I’m surprised people have sex with you,” I can’t help but tack on.

“You’d be surprised by how many women find me quite charming,” he replies.

“Loneliness plays terrible tricks on peoples’ minds. Sometimes an actual personality isn’t required.”

“Is that what bothers you about me, darling, my personality? Or are you certain it’s not other things that rile you?”

“What the fuck is happening right now?” Maria interjects.

Heat scorches my cheeks. I’ve been so entranced in bantering with Will that I completely forgot where I am. Will smirks as I look away from him, trying to rein in my temper.

“Sorry. Let’s sit and eat,” I suggest, internally reprimanding myself. I’d told myself to show gratitude, and within the first two minutes of being in the same room as this insufferable asshole, we’re verbally stripping one another.

“Behave yourself,” Maria chastises her brother as they both sit.

Will is still smug as he places the bottle of whiskey on the table and grabs the bottle of wine already there to pour me a glass. I make no move to touch it. Last thing I want is to be hungover on my flight, even if they are flying me business class. That, and I definitely don’t trust myself around this man after a single drop of liquor hits my lips.

“Anyway, I hope you don’t mind, but I already ordered for us. I come here all the time, and the chef knows me,” Maria gushes as Will rolls his eyes at her.

With the affectionate way she sounds when mentioning the chef, it’s obvious she likes him, and so I can’t help but whisper across the table. “Did you two...” Maybe I missed out on something while I was gone in Manchester.

“No!” Maria snaps.

At the same time, Will says, “Yes.” He swishes the wine in his glass, unimpressed.

Red spreads across Maria’s face. “We’re not having this conversation while you’re here,” she says pointedly to Will, and he looks away as if bored.

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to laugh at the two. I’ve never seen Maria like this. She’s so bubbly and outspoken that it’s fascinating to see her get embarrassed. I also envied those who had siblings. As an only child, I always wished I had one myself.

Two waitresses bring out an array of pastas and pizzas. I almost drool at how good it smells.Yes, pleaseto cheese all day, every day.

“Leon.” Maria perks up as the chef walks out behind the waiters. I try not to smile as he shyly offers the table an awkward introduction.

“I thought I’d come and greet everyone. You must be Alina. Maria’s told me great things about you. And you must be the brother, Will?” he says, extending out his hand.

“Nah, I’m the new guy, and this makes for an awkward date,” Will says, making no move to shake his hand.

“Eww, never say that again.” Maria goes red. “He’s joking. I’m sorry about my brother. How has your night been?” She’s quick to block her brother’s view of Leon.

Leon gives a halfhearted laugh as he retracts his outstretched hand and begins speaking now only to Maria.

Well, this is starting off to be a weird-ass night. I pick up a glass of water and go to take a sip. Before I do, I notice Will staring at me. His hand is lazily hooked around the arm of the chair as he watches me like a predator.

I take a sniff of the water. “Did you do something to my water?” I ask him.

---