Page 129 of White Raven
“How is everything?” the waitress asked, trying to settle the stares of fancy-dressed diners around them. Their laughing ceased, and Brent saw the level of discomfort in Wren’s face. He glanced at his plate, barely half-eaten, and then pushed it away.
“You know what?” he said, swallowing his bite, and wiping his mouth with his napkin. “It’s mundane. And not worth the ambiance. We’ll take the check.”
The waitress dropped her mouth open, and Wren raised her eyebrows. “Sir?”
“Thecheck. Here,” he added, reaching into his wallet and producing his card. “Add a round for every fuckhole staring at us, and let them know they can take that drink, and whatever opinions they’ve gathered about us from the press and shove it straight up their airtight asses.” She took the card as Wren burst out laughing, and her eyes widened at his name.
“M-Mr. Stratford?” she stuttered.
“Yes. You read it right. I’ve paid for pretty much half this establishment over the years. Maybe more. If I can’t take my lady out without a bunch of criticism, then you’re welcome to keep your shitty food.”
Her jaw shifted up and down, clearly unsure of what to say, and they both stared at her, until she flushed bright red, and left to go run his card. The number of stares were growing.
“I think I’m a bad influence on you, Stratford,” Wren gawked, plopping her back against her chair.
He shrugged, “Or a good one.” He upped the drama and raised his voice. “This duck would be perfect for a demonic sacrifice!”
Wren buried her face in her hands, stifling her giggle as gasps and shock rang around the restaurant. “Oh, my God, Brent.”
“Here you go, sir,” the waitress said, handing him back his card and his check. He snatched the pen and signed,standing, and grabbing the open bottle of champagne out of the bucket of ice.
“My lady?” he smiled, extending a hand to Wren. She snickered as she took it, rising up from her chair, and allowing him to lead her past the sea of pompous faces. “Let’s get outta here.” He pressed the mouth of the bottle to his lips and turned it straight up as they barged out of the rotating door.
Wren took the bottle as he passed it to her across the console and drank a long swig. “Well…that was epic.”
Brent grinned, slowing at the third light they’d gotten stopped at since blowing a shame grenade at the fancy restaurant. “I agree. That felt fucking good, I have to admit.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t celebrate your newfound badassery, just yet…” Wren laughed, catching his confused stare, and drinking again.
“You gonna tell me I’m not snarky enough for the witch trials?”
Wren snorted, swallowing. “Did you forget about your nurse telling you she was gonna have a night on the town with her hubby?”
His eyes boggled. “Nooo…was she in there?!”
It was all she could do not to bust out laughing again. “Oh, yes, sir! Just as shocked and shaken as the rest of them. I saw her on our way out while you were inhaling champagne.”
“Dear, God…Wren I’m never gonna be able to show my face in that hospital again.”
She snickered. “Yeah, we’re earning ourselves quite the rep, aren’t we?” When the drive got a little quiet, she wondered if she’d been pushing him inch by inch towards this Brent that hedidn’t know how to be. Wondered if he was actually doing it for himself. “Brent?” He snapped out of his daydream and glanced toward her.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“One, donotcall me ma’am. It’s disgusting. And two…are you having any second thoughts about…us?”
She didn’t know what she expected him to say, but she didn’t expect him to look at her like she was nuts, and have several cars honk at them as he swerved into a parallel parking spot. He leaned over the console, propping his elbow on it.
“Why in the hell would you say something like that? Did you think I was putting on a show for you back there?”
“Weren’t you?” she asked, honestly.
His face fell into something like hurt. “Wren…look, I—I told you, I don’t really know this Brent. I’m still trying to get to know him, and occupy his body, okay? But I want you to understand that the man I am now? Has never felt more free. More…”
“Happy?”
He smiled softly. “Very. I’m very happy. And yes, I put on a show, but it was half to make you smile, and half to go tell Brent’s old life to go fuck itself. I should have never taken you to a place like that.”
“What were you thinking about a minute ago, then?”
