A love he’d taken back in the cold light of morning, under the heavy weight of guilt.
He’d snuck away like a thief, not realizing until she returned to university the mistake he’d made. By then it was too late to mend the rift his actions had caused.
The agony of watching her date all these years was a just payment for all the pain he’d caused her, and, until recently, he’d taken it as his due.
But at some point, probably when she’d moved back into her family home, his tolerance level had been reached.
He knew he had to gain control of his turbulent emotions. With control came clear thinking and clear thinking would be the key to getting the one thing in his life he’d let slip through his fingers.
The one thing he was now determined to have.
Valentine Johnson.
ChapterTwo
Taking the hand the valet offered her, Vee wasn’t surprised to see Edward had taken her to Morgan’s. It was Sydney’s top seafood restaurant and Edward would want to be seen there.
What did surprise her was that he’d managed to obtain a reservation on such short notice. Normally the waiting list was months long.
Unless your brother happened to be good friends with the owner and head chef—then you could get a last-minute table.
Edward was delivering a lecture to the poor young man tasked with the job of parking his precious Mercedes. And too impatient to wait, she walked the few feet to the front door where she was greeted by Jennifer, the manageress.
“Vee, it’s wonderful to see you. I took the liberty of seating you at your usual table.” Jenn picked up two menus and glanced over Vee’s shoulder. “Your boyfriend isn’t here yet?”
“Boyfriend?” She couldn’t be talking about Edward, could she? A niggle of suspicion took root in her mind.
“Yes, he was very specific when he called this morning and made tonight’s reservation,” Jenn explained. “He apologized you couldn’t phone yourself and speak to Morgan, but promised you’d catch up with him while you dined.”
“Oh, he did, did he?” It took everything she had not to make a scene.
Edward deserved a dressing down for his liberties, but she wouldn’t be delivering it in public. Besides, the least the presumptuous ass could do was pay for her meal.
She’d be sure to pick the most expensive item on the menu, of course. “Edward is not my boyfriend and I’m a little perturbed that you took his word for mine. Then again, he is a salesman, so I’m sure he talked a good game.”
“Oh, I—”
She stopped Jenn’s words with a raised hand. “Not your fault.” She leaned closer to the other woman. “But Jenn, you have to know neither I nor my brother would ever throw our personal connection to Morgan around like this.”
“Yes, of course, I know that. But we haven’t seen you since Emily went into labour and, to be honest, I was looking forward to seeing you and catching up.” Jenn squeezed her hand. “I don’t think Morgan was too thrilled by your choice of dinner companion though.”
A smile curled her lips. “Mm, imagine that.”
Morgan, like her brother and Brent, had never hidden his dislike of any man she dated, and she had no doubt he’d be visiting their table this evening.
The night may be a little more entertaining than she had anticipated.
The door behind her opened and Edward stepped next to her, placing a proprietary hand on her hip. The action made her pause.
Was he attempting to connect them more solidly than just having a meal together?
She was not too happy with him, but when he raised his voice so that it travelled through to the dining area she was ready to stomp on his foot with her stiletto heel.
“Valentine, darling, you didn’t wait for me.”
Her jaw clenched as she moved away, breaking Edward’s grip.
She wasn’t going to draw more attention their way. Instead she smiled at Jenn and said, “Please lead the way to our table, Jenn.”
