Seraphina’s eyes are wide as she looks around. “And this is just for us?”
I smile slightly as I pour her a glass of champagne. “You’ve dined with clients before,” I point out as I hand her a flute and pour a glass for myself. “Dinner at Rao’s, brunch at Gabriel Kreuther’s.”
“Yes, but those were all for work.”
She picks up a wedge of the truffle-infused cheese and takes a bite. Her moan of pleasure has me gritting my teeth as I stare out over the sea.
“This is really good. Thank you.” She picks up an oyster from the bowl of ice in the middle of the table. “You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me, Aiden.”
The sound of my name on her lips ripples through me. I wait for it to pass, evaluate just how much I want the answer to the question that’s been haunting me ever since Dylan Greene stated that man’s name out loud and I saw the stricken look on Seraphina’s face.
“You flinched the first few times I touched you.”
She nods as she scoops the oyster out with a tiny fork and dips it into a small dish of mignonette sauce. “It’s a little strange having my boss hold my hand.”
“Does it have anything to do with howhetreated you?”
Her brows draw together for a moment, and then her expression clears. “No.” She shakes her head fervently. “No. Nothing to do with him. I promise.”
I ease back into my chair. “Okay. I’m glad.”
A few minutes pass. I’m surprised to find myself relaxed. I can’t remember the last time I left my laptop behind and put my cell phone on silent. There’s the gentle roar of the sea behind us and the high-pitched twittering of a bird overhead. The cover over the terrace captures most of the sun’s rays, leaving the terrace shady and cool as fans spin overhead.
I also can’t remember the last time I enjoyed sitting with a woman in silence. There’s no need to fill the gap, no awkwardness, just contentment.
Seraphina sits back in her chair, a half-empty glass of champagne in her hand and a look of satisfaction on her face.
“That was wonderful. I’m impressed your team put it together so quickly.”
I shrug. “I told them they had ten minutes and they made it happen.”
She shakes her head again. “I’ve seen the wealth you and your crowd deal in. It’s just a completely different world to be living in it for a little bit.”
Her last words slash through my contented state. A reminder that what Seraphina and I have in this moment is only temporary.
“It’s the least I can do.”
She takes a sip of champagne. “Because you feel guilty?”
I can’t help the half laugh that escapes. “I always appreciated that about you. Never afraid to ask the hard questions in the bluntest way possible while still sounding kind.”
Her lips curve up into a slow, sweet smile. “I try. And?”
“Yes.” I hold up the crystal flute. “I’m very good at throwing money at problems and watching them go away. But trying to fix what happened yesterday, make you feel better…” I shrug. “Emotional support is not my area of expertise.”
“But you do give. Your foundation, the bonuses at work.” She smiles slightly. “You’re a much better man than you think you are.”
I don’t know what to say. She stands and moves to the railing. Stares out over the water until I see her shoulders relax slightly, as though she’s made a decision.
Seraphina
“I met Brett my junior year of college.”
No going back now.The weight of what happened has been pressing on me, a weight on my chest so forceful it sometimes hurts to breathe. I hope that not only will sharing finally alleviate some of the pain, but that Aiden won’t look at me differently once I confess.
“I danced in high school, which didn’t leave much time for dating. College wasn’t much better. A double major with a minor and the college dance team kept me busy. I had a casual boyfriend sophomore year, but we drifted apart. My schedule was so demanding we barely saw each other. I started to wonder if I was pushing myself too hard, if I was missing out.” I glance over my shoulder and give Aiden a weak smile. “Ego is a terrible thing. When a football player asked me out after a game, I was so excited.”
I turn back to the sea. I hear Aiden get up and move about the terrace. My heart’s galloping. Will he leave? Does he even want to hear this?
