Page 10 of Age of Shade

I clear my throat. “Tell me about yourself, Adina.” The moment I’ve spoken the words, I wish I could take them back. Never has anyone offered a more generic, unimaginative conversation starter. For fuck’s sake, I’m pretty sure I asked Rob, the dental assistant I hired last year, the same thing at the start of his job interview.

Adina peers over at me, one corner of her lips lifting shyly. “I’m not very exciting.”

I doubt that.I’m more excited than I’ve ever been in my life, and she’s spoken all of three sentences to me. I smile encouragingly, shifting so I’m facing her. “Do you work?”

“I’m a student,” she responds gently, playing with the stem of her glass. “I also work at a coffee shop and have a cleaning gig.”

In college and working two jobs? “Impressive.”

Her nose wrinkles, and I think it’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. “If you say so.”

“I do.” I set my drink on the table, giving her my full attention. “I did the same while I was in school. So it would really help my ego if you’d accept the compliment.” Those green eyes meet mine, and the musical little giggle that falls from her lips makes me feel about ten feet tall.

“In that case, compliment accepted. What did you do? Your college jobs, I mean.”

“Mopped floors at a retirement home and worked in the school cafeteria. I went to class smelling like grilled cheese and mop water.”

I only have to hear it once for Adina’s laugh to become my favorite noise in the world. It’s… free. She isn’t humoring me or trying to get attention, but eyes from the surrounding tables flick over to her anyway, some disapproving, others envious.

Adina doesn’t seem to notice any of them, though, because she hasn’t stopped looking at me.

“It worked out for you.” She smiles slyly, her eyes still sparkling. “Though you chose a more profitable career path than I’m planning to, so I’ll reserve judgment.”

“What are you studying?” I ask, taken off guard by how eager I am to piece together who this woman is. I could ask her questions all night and still have more.

“Social work. With a concentration in child development and welfare.” She sips her wine, and I’m not sure if it’s the light ormy imagination, but I swear I see the tiniest shadow cross her stunning face.

For a moment, I consider telling her what I really do, because Iwanther to know.

It’s a fleeting impulse, though, and one I quickly dismiss. She isn’t interested in me. Liam paid her for her time, likely hoping to keep me occupied while he enjoys her friend. A quick glance toward the couple entwined across from us confirms my suspicions. I’m attracted to her. It would be stupid to pretend otherwise when my cock has been throbbing viciously against my fly since we sat down, but this isn’t a date. Not a real one.

At the end of the night, she’s going to go back to her life, and I’m going to go back to mine. There will be no texting or calling, no second date, and certainly no third. Adina, if that’s even her real name, is an actress. She’s putting on a show, and apparently I’m just desperate enough to lap it up. Disgusted with myself, I turn my eyes to the room around us, ignoring the weight of her eyes on me.

“So did you study business or…” Her voice trails away, tentative, unsure, andgenuine.

Shit. Unable to help myself, I turn, and my heart wrenches at the sight of the worried little crease between her brows. I’m being cold, giving this poor woman whiplash, andI wish I didn’t care. This whole situation is so messed up—

“I’mstarving.” Ruby moans, drawing all eyes to her.

Liam nods obligingly, lifting a hand to signal the hostess. “Let’s all go have dinner down the street at the Claremont. I’m bored of the food here. I’ll have to speak to the chef.”

“No.” Suddenly, all eyes are on me, and I still. Embarrassment tightens in my chest, and I have no idea what I’m going to say. The whole plan for tonight was to have drinks, then dinner, but now all I want is to steal Adina away from Liam and Ruby. She might not want that, might prefer to have dinnerand not be alone with me, but there’s no way to check now. All I can do is offer, and try to give her an easy out.

Gathering my courage, I look to Adina. “Why don’t we let them go ahead? I’d love to continue our discussion. If you’re not hungry, that is.”

I’ve barely finished speaking before she’s nodding her agreement.

“I’m really not. I’m sorry, Ruby. Is that alright?” She smiles apologetically at her friend, but Ruby is clearly pleased with this turn of events.

“Of course.” She beams, wrapping one perfectly manicured hand around Liam’s arm as they stand, looking down at us with matching expressions of amusement. “Have fun, you two.”

CHAPTER FIVE

ADINA

This isn’t how I thought tonight would go.

I was anxious all afternoon leading up to this, barely able to enjoy the spa day Ruby treated us to or the new clothes she insisted on purchasing me “for options.” I can only assumeDaddy Liam‘s credit card saw significant abuse, because I spent hours being waxed, tweezed, exfoliated, and made up. I barely recognized the woman in the mirror when we were done. Unfortunately, while I’m pretty sure I look better than I ever have in my life on the outside, I’m a certified hot mess internally.

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