Page 35 of Drunk on Love

Shit, this wasn’t justawoman. This was Avery Jensen, an event planner Margot knew casually and was supposed to have breakfast with later this week to ask her questions about details for the party. Oh God.

“Margot?” Sydney said.

Margot didn’t have time to warn Sydney. Luke would notice her any second. She just had to trust in Sydney’s poker face.

Yep, there it was. He saw her.

“Margot, hi,” he said. He and Avery stopped in front of their table.

“Hi, Luke,” she said, in what she was surprised to hear was a normal voice.

“I... um, how are you?” he asked. “Having dinner?”

He was already fucking going on dates? And with someone she knew? See, she should have done that, instead of making excuses about work.

“Yeah, I love this place,” she said. “And hi, Avery, good to see you. Looking forward to our breakfast later this week.”

Luke turned to Avery for a half second. Margot could see theYou know each other?question on his face, but he didn’t ask it.

“Hey, Margot, me, too. And hi, Sydney,” Avery said. “How are you guys?”

Margot smiled. At least, she hoped she did.

“Oh, good!” She gestured to Sydney. “Luke, my friend Sydney, she’s a local restaurateur. Sydney, this is Luke Williams, he’s one of our new tasting room staff at Noble.”

Sydney gave Luke a very bland smile, and Luke smiled back. Did he recognize her from the restaurant that night? Margot couldn’t tell.

“Hi, Luke,” Sydney said. “And hey, Avery.”

“Hi, Sydney. Nice to meet you,” Luke said. He—very slightly—raised his eyebrows at Margot. Okay, maybe he did recognize Sydney.

Damn it, why was he giving her secret little eyebrow raises when he was on a date with another woman? She tried not to let her expression change.

“Are you—” Luke started, but just then, their server came over with their entrées.

“Oh! I’m sorry, are your friends joining you?”

“No,” Margot said, she hoped not too sharply. “Thank you.”

Luke took a step back.

“We shouldn’t keep you. I, um— See you tomorrow, Margot. Nice to meet you, Sydney.”

Margot nodded, and tried not to look at him.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow. Talk to you soon, Avery.”

They walked away, presumably to another table, though Margot forced herself not to turn her head to see where they were, and just concentrated on the steak in front of her.

“Okay,” Sydney said after about thirty seconds. “They’re out of earshot.”

Margot’s head shot up.

“Are you sure? Like, positive?”

Sydney nodded.

“I mean, if you start shouting again, then no, but yes, we can carry on a low conversation about what the fuck just happened without them hearing us.”

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