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Something flickers in Lionel’s eyes as he watches the exchange, and he shifts slightly in his seat while pursing his lips.
It takes me another few seconds to identify the emotion. But once I have, his reaction to Kayla’s offer to front the money for the auction suddenly becomes clear as well.
He is uncomfortable with her money and power.
The realization stuns me so much that I just stare at him for a while.
Lionel was relieved that she was going to pay for his meal today because he probably can’t afford it. But he is also deeply unsettled by the thought that Kayla is both wealthier and more influential than he is.
What a pathetic fucking idiot.
Only weak men get uncomfortable in the presence of a powerful woman.
“Oh, this looks so good,” Jenn says with a grateful nod to Kayla before she picks up her utensils.
That breaks Lionel’s grumpy spell, and he grabs his knife and fork too.
While they all dig into their food, they continue discussing how to get funds and obtain the items for their silent auction. Lionel continues to argue that they can’t use any of Kayla’s money for it. I alternate between scanning the dining room for threats, casting discreet glares at Kayla, and pretending that I’m the one eating the incredible food on the table instead.
“How about this?” Jenn suddenly says, sounding very excited. “What if we do things for people, for businesses, like help them out with stuff, and in return we ask them to donate something to our auction?”
Considering looks blow across their faces.
“Oh, I like it,” Aurora says.
Kayla nods. “That could work.”
“Sure,” Lionel adds. “How about we do it on Sunday?”
“I can’t.” Kayla shakes her head. “Sunday is family day.” Rolling her eyes, she lets out something between a laugh and a sigh. “Dad is very big on that. But what about Saturday?”
“God, no,” Aurora protests, and waves her hands. “We’ll be too hungover. We’re going to that huge costume party tomorrow, remember?”
My gaze snaps to Kayla, who winces.
She keeps her eyes firmly on her group members while I stare daggers at her. A party, huh? She very conveniently neglected to tell me about that.
The others don’t seem to notice because they just continue trying to decide on a day. But Kayla and I will be having a private little chat about this later.
“So, Monday, then?” Aurora at last says.
Kayla and the others nod.
“Sounds good,” she says.
For the first time since they sat down, Lionel’s gaze shifts to me. Disapproval laces every line of his face as he gives me a frustrated look. “Must your guard dog always be lurking like this?”
I flash him a psycho smile that would’ve made even my brother Kaden proud. It makes Lionel flinch. But he recovers quickly and shoots me another contemptuous stare.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Kayla says, and tosses her flaming red ponytail over her shoulder. “Just ignore him. That’s what I do.”
Moving closer, I make sure that I am truly looming over her where she sits at the table. She clenches her jaw in annoyance, but refuses to look at me. I almost chuckle. She can’t throw out that kind of bait and not expect me to retaliate.
I remain there, lurking right behind her, the entire rest of the dinner. Once they’re finished and Kayla has paid for their food, she practically shoots out of the chair and storms away as if to put as much distance between us as possible. I simply slide my hands into my pockets and follow her.
The street is dark and almost deserted when we at last step out of the restaurant. After saying goodbye to the others, Kayla and I start down the sidewalk. She tries to outpace me, but my legs are so much longer that she would need to jog to actually do it. So after a while, she stops trying and blows out an annoyed sigh as she is forced to walk next to me.
When we’re halfway back to her apartment, I break the silence.
