Page 16 of Boss On Notice
Orion narrows his eyes at me and I defiantly raise an eyebrow. But I’m toiling to keep it high.
“How many of those have you had?” he asks, nodding at my half-full glass of the blue drink.
I frown, trying to remember the number. “Two, maybe three.”
“Try four.”
I jerk my head back. “Four?”
“So, Orion,” Nero says extra loudly, stealing our attention.
He’s smirking mischievously as he extends an arm across the top of his date’s chair. “What happened to Heather?”
I look down bashfully. It feels odd that he’s asking about another woman while I’m sitting next to Orion. For all he knows, Orion and I are newly screwing. Maybe it’s just that obvious that Orion and I will never do the do, let alone present as a real and serious couple. So, I look up again just in time to see Orion toss back a swig of whatever he’s drinking. I think it’s whiskey, but it could be bourbon.
“I don’t know. You should ask her,” he says.
“Are you suggesting she’s the one who blew you off?” Nero continues, poking at him like that. I notice the both of them stealing glances at Marigold. Heather works for his mother, which is why she has more access to him than any other woman he’s ever dated. And she is high maintenance. I have no idea how Orion convinced her that he would not be bringing her to the wedding, but I’m sure several lies were told.
“Back off,” Orion finally snaps at Nero.
Nero drops his head back to laugh. I think he’s gotten the response he was looking for. Orion and Nero always needle each other that way. The fact they’re close is shocking.
“So, are the two of you dating?” Paisley asks.
First, I’m shocked she was even listening to the back-and-forth between Nero and Orion, she seemed so engrossed in the conversation she was having with her friend. She’s not the only one who’s highly interested in my answer. Just about everyone at the table is looking at me, even Orion’s mother.
Thankfully, my answer is still easy. I snort sarcastically as I lift the glass of my blue drink to my lips. “No way.”
“She’s your date,” Max Grove blurts. The relief in his voice is apparent.
Now everyone, including myself, is watching him as if surprised he said something. He’s been so quiet and seemingly bored.
“Interested, Max?” Treasure asks him. “Because I think Lilly’s single, aren’t you?”
“Hey,” Orion blurts. “Leave my assistant alone.”
Max Grove’s face has turned a gorgeous color of dusty rose. Saying that he’s a good-looking man is an understatement, but he’s so not my type. I mean, the guy seems like the Grim Reaper of a good time.
“Two brothers down. You’re the last man standing, O,” Nero says and then kisses his date’s bare shoulder. “I’m closer to the finish line than you are.”
Orion rubs his scalp as he twists his torso from left to right so that he can scan the room. I’m familiar with that look on his face. His eyebrows are pinched and the corners of his mouth are pulled down into a pout, as he whips his head from right to left, searching the large room. I wonder who or what he’s looking for when Caroline asks Treasure if she had anything to do with the food. Her question changes the subject. For all intents and purposes Orion can relax, but he doesn’t.
“Let’s go,” he says as he picks up my plate and his.
He’s on his feet before I’m able to inquire about where he’s taking me. His family is watching him curiously.
“Where are you going?” Achilles asks, appearing irritated by his brother’s sudden move.
“I found us a better fit,” Orion mumbles.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER
I’ve downed more drinks. I stopped counting at… Heck, I don’t even know when I stopped counting. I’m at a new table, and yes, the people here are more Orion’s speed. The two women he was chitchatting with when I arrived at the restaurant flank him. I’m sitting on the opposite side of the table. There are mostly men sitting with us. I think they’re the sort of thirtysomething men who can’t let go of their frat boy days. I learned that they’re Orion’s and Treasure’s friends. The two of them used to run in the same circles a long time ago.
All I can say is that switching tables has made me lose my appetite as far as food goes. The two very distant female cousins of Orion’s, whose names I can’t remember, laugh a lot. They’re fraternal twins. I know for certain that they’re very distant cousins because they keep mentioning it. I think one of them has her hand on Orion’s cock. It’s the way her arm angles toward his lap.Disgusting.
