Page 86 of Nathan
“Lucille flew here all the way from England to interview ye. Be a gentleman, and give five minutes.”
I pretended that I hadn’t already decided to answer a few questions and made it seem like Jacob persuaded me.
“All right, but make it quick.”
With excitement in her eyes, Lucille squeezed in between Jacob and me.
“Thank you so much.”
I leaned back in my seat and let my fingers run along the rim of my beer. “So what’s your question?”
“Do you think you’re unfairly portrayed in the news?”
“Of course.”
“He is!” Jacob said in support. “It’s insane with the rumors about Nathan bein’ violent. I mean, hecanbe when needed, and he was when that big-headed American was indecent with the women. Did ye know that Gomez was a combat instructor?” Jacob scoffed. “Just shows ye that we Irish aren’t to be focked with. All that eejit Gomez does now is to whine on TV about how Nathan broke his bones, but what kind of combat instructor can’t defend himself against his student?”
Lucille and I were both looking at Jacob, who was clearly very passionate about defending me.
“Yes, all right.” Turning her head back to me, Lucille asked her second question. “How has it been for you to see yourself accused in the media of kidnapping and beating Serena Star?”
“Surreal.”
Lucille waited, but when I didn’t say more, she asked, “Can you elaborate a bit?”
I shrugged. “The media is painting a picture of me that I don’t recognize, but ultimately what matters to me is that my closest friends and family know who I am.”
“Would you consider Serena to be in that group of your closest friends?”
“Yes.”
“And how would you label your relationship with Serena exactly?”
Everyone at the table was listening.
“I think I’ve answered enough questions.”
“You’ve only answered two.”
“Three.”
Lucille’s eyes went to the ceiling for a second, as she counted. “Yes, three. But still, I have more questions.”
“I’m sure you do, and I’m sure Jacob would love to dance with you some more, but we don’t always get what we want.”
Lucille narrowed her eyes. “If I dance another dance with your friend, will you answer the rest of my questions?”
I thought about it. “I’ll answer a few more.”
“Yer a bloody good mate,” Liam said as Jacob led Lucille to the dance floor once again. This time, she seemed less tense, and as I drank my beer, I saw them laugh about something while swaying from side to side.
“That’s their third dance,” Liam told me when the song changed, and they stayed on the dance floor.
“Maybe she thinks two dances will get her more questions,” Brody suggested.
The corner of my lip lifted. “Or maybe she’s actually having a good time with Jacob.”
While my friends were entertained by the flirting on the dance floor, I wrote a text to Serena.
