Page 35 of Butterfly

“You became serious all of a sudden. Tell me what bothers you.”

“May I be blunt?”

“Please do.” I prop my elbows on the table, giving her my full attention.

“Are you dating Emily Lawrence?”

Is that what is bothering her? The sex scene? “No. I told you, she isn’t my type.”

“Several articles state you two are in a relationship.” Her head tilts to the side.

“Don’t believe what the tabloids say. Besides, if I were dating Emily, she’d be here right now. So, no. I’m not dating her. You?” I spy on her profile from over the rim of my glass.

“Oh, I’m not dating Emily either.”

I bark a laugh, almost spitting my wine. She grins too.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” I ask, tensing a bit. I didn’t ask, did I?

Her neck stiffens. Sore point? Perhaps she’s just broken up with someone? Or started dating someone. “No. No one.”

“What about Emily?”

“Emily?” She pauses with her fork halfway to her mouth. “What does she have to do with anything?”

“You were hiding from her. What did she do to you?”

She huffs. “Nothing, really. She led me around Martin’s house, introducing me to her friends as the horse girl. She used those words. I don’t like confrontation, so I slipped out of her grip and disappeared. I’m rather good at that.”

“Know first-hand.” I raise my glass to her vanishing skill. “You’re so magical that you can disappear. You’re a pro.”

Another grin. “She was so busy talking about whatever, she didn’t even notice I wasn’t next to her at first.”

“Idiot.”

Her grin softens into a delicate smile. “The salmon is delicious.”

“Thanks. Why don’t you have a pet?”

The change of the subject makes her pause. “I’ve always had pets actually. I just don’t happen to have one now, and the flat is a bit small for a dog, even for a cat.” A sad note slips into her voice, and I kick myself mentally. It seems that everything I say makes her sad or upset. Or she’s too touchy.

After we finish the salmon, we sit in front of the fire on the thick rug and the soft cushions with our glasses of wine. Dart is resting next to us, happy to receive a double dose of cuddles and a few small bits of raw salmon.

I scroll through the calendar on my phone to check when I have a free night. Bloody hell, I didn’t realise I was so damn busy. Dart is making funny noises as Sienna rubs his whole body from the neck to his belly. Never been so envious of that furball. His eyes are half-closed as her fingers dig into his plush fur.

“About our dinner,” I say. Her neck tenses. “What about next Saturday? After that, I’m going to be too busy to scratch my head.”

“Next Saturday, that would be—wait.” She takes her phone and scrolls. “I have dinner at Tyler’s. His daughter’s birthday.”

“I see. Then we have to reschedule for three weeks from now. Unless I can come with you?” I rub my stubble. I don’t want to wait weeks to see her again. Why do I always have to wait to see her? Sod that.

“Do you want to come?” Her phone nearly slips from her hand. “To Zoe’s birthday?”

“Why not? Do you think Tyler will have me?” Or kill me? Maybe he’ll have me just to kill me.

“Yeah, sure. He isn’t that grumpy, and whenever Zoe is involved, he’s a real softie. It’s decided then. I’ll ask him and then tell you.”

“Brilliant.” I put my glass down, a nervous tingle itching on the back of my neck.

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