“You too,” I manage, my voice steadier than my heart rate.
He pauses a moment as if he might say something else, then moves away, taking a table for two by the window.
“Should we invite him to join us?” Dad asks.
My gaze snaps to him, my response swift and sharp. “No!”
His eyebrows lift.
“He works for my opponent, Dad.” I soften my tone. “How would that look?”
“Like three people having dinner,” he says mildly. “I liked him, at least on first impression. Polite, confident, with a good head on his shoulders. And the brother knows how to wear a suit. Can’t be mad at that.”
“Maybe another time,” I skirt. “This is supposed to be our date night.”
“You’re right.” He squeezes my hand. “But it’s a shame he works for Diablo. If you weren’t campaigning against each other, instead of handing him his ass, he might be someone you’d date. He looked enamored with you.”
I nearly choke on my wine.
Thankfully, the server comes by to ask if we’re ready to order, distracting my father. While they chat, I sneak another glance at DK looking at the menu. He catches me, and I quickly turn away. Breathing hard and feeling shaky.
If this is any indication of how I’ll handle myself on Thursday… I’m doomed.
Chapter Twelve
DK
Seeing Luna again wasn’t the shock. That was inevitable. It’s how hard she hits me every time. Nothing diluted. Nothing faded.
When she gets up from the table, I debate it for all of ten seconds before following like a moth to a flame. One step closer than was safe. One decision past smart.
I’m standing against the wall when the single washroom door swings open, and Luna steps out into the hallway, dimly lit by two seashell sconces. Her painted mouth forms a startledO,her eyes going wide.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s… I’m fine.”
“Luna—”
“Don’t make this any harder.” Her gaze flicks down the empty hall. “I’m already hanging on by a thread.”
Her admission clamps around my chest. “I’m going out of my fucking mind. I don’t know how to do this. See you… and not touch you. Not kiss you. Pretend I don’t know you.”
“I hate pretending too.”
“I can be discreet.”
She hesitates, her breath quickening… considering it. Then, “No. We can’t,” she stammers, “I—I can’t.”
Whatever fragile hope I had deflates. This is her life. Her town. Her fight. And I’m standing on the opposite side of it.
“I’ll get my order to go,” I offer.
She shakes her head. “This is bound to happen again. We’re meeting on Thursday. The more we see each other, the easier it should get.”
Luna doesn’t look like she believes that any more than I do.
“I better go,” she says.
