Page 41 of Butterfly

Phoebe rushes to the front door when the bell rings, followed by Dart. Voices, with the occasional bark from Dart and Lucy, echo from the hallway. Alex chats with Jack, his shoulders relaxing. I wonder if he likes the mundane night or if he’s acting. This evening isn’t the dinner he wanted to have with me, and not exactly exciting, either.

“I’m here!” Liam steps in, arms stretched up. His impeccable dark suit seems fresh from the laundry, but the dark circles around his eyes speak of hard work. “Sienna. It’s been a while.” He gives me a hug and shoots a curious glance at Alex. “Liam McNair.”

“Alex Knightley.”

As they shake hands, surprise crosses Liam’s face, his eyebrows hit his hairline, and his mouth gapes. But he doesn’t ask for a selfie. I guess it’s good.

“Dinner’s ready.” Phoebe ushers us towards the table. “Take a seat.”

I sit next to Alex, and as my friends exchange glances and smiles, it dawns on me. This is the first time I’ve invited a man to an evening with my friends. In fact, it’s the first time they’ve seen me in the company of a date. That might explain the creeping awkwardness that pricks my skin. And I have to be honest. If Alex hadn’t volunteered, I wouldn’t have thought about inviting him.

“So, Alex.” Phoebe passes the bowl of salad while Zoe slurps her plate of soup from the high chair. “Tell us about your latest film.”

“A sequel toAquaman?” Liam asks. “Loved that film.”

“Oh, Liam.” Chuckling, Phoebe shakes her head.

“I wish I wereAquaman,” Alex says, winking at me. “Handsome guy.”

I prefer Alex, but maybe I’m biased. “He isn’tAquaman.”

Liam rubs his eyes. “Sorry, I always confuse the faces and names of the actors. No offence.”

“None taken.” Alex shrugs.

“Alex was James Bond. Look at this picture.” Jack hands Liam his phone. “You said he was the best James Bond you’ve ever seen.”

“Oh, dear.” Liam wipes his hands and stares at the screen. “The last James Bond made seven hundred million dollars?”

Alex leans closer to him, his shoulder touching mine. “Might do a sequel soon. That’s what I have to discuss in L.A.”

“Millions of dollars. Must be a nightmare for your accountant.” Shaking his head, Liam returns the phone to Jack.

Tyler shoots him a glare. “Are you serious? Alex probably has a group of accountants.”

“And a five-million-dollar villa in Beverly Hills,” Jack adds as if proud of knowing all the details of Alex’s finances.

I had no idea he owned a villa in Beverly Hills.

Talking about Alex’s money makes me squirm on the chair for some reason. Alex squeezes my hand, likely having noticed my uneasiness, but since it’s the first time I’ve brought a date, I’d like my friends not to focus on how much Alex owns. I’d like them to treat him like a normal guest.

Phoebe wipes her mouth. “Who wants some wine?”

Thirteen

Alex

THE SALTY TASTE of the chicken and the heat of the spices form a delicious mix.

Phoebe chats about how Zoe keeps her busy, and Sienna is relaxed for once. If it weren’t for the occasional odd glance among the guys, the night would be perfect. They look at me as if I’m the last specimen of an endangered species, but it’s not the ‘gosh you’re a famous actor’ type of look. I don’t know. Maybe I’m touchy or paranoid because I could swear Tyler and Liam are having a conversation about me made of small facial movements and mutters.

Nevertheless, it’s refreshing to have a normal dinner with normal people without smiling for the sake of smiling, pretending to be in control, or being forcibly polite.

After the delicious chocolate mousse, Phoebe rises from her chair, taking little Zoe with her. “I’m going to take Zoe to bed.” She eyes her husband, and a quick, secret exchange takes place, made of eyebrows rising and mouths twitching. No, this time, I’m not being paranoid. “Sienna, would you like to come? It takes a while for Zoe to fall asleep, and I might use some company.”

The frown on Sienna’s brow lasts a moment. “Of course.” She gives my hand a squeeze before going upstairs.

My composure falters when I think about what she told me in her kitchen.I don’t like it when someone touches my back. Odd. I’m so focused on her words, I don’t immediately realise that it’s very quiet.

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