???
My driver pulls the SUV smoothly up to the entrance of the five-star restaurant perched high above the river. The bridge below sparkles with lights reflecting off the dark water. I step out first, buttoning my blazer with a sharp tug, adjusting it over my shoulders.
Selina has changed into a sleek black dress that suits the occasion. Armen steps out after her and offers his arm with an exaggerated bow. “Ma’ lady.”
Selina rolls her eyes but grins and loops her arm through his anyway.
Ray helps Lorraine out of the second car. My mother would notice if Lorraine wasn’t with us, and I’d rather not deal with the questions.
I walk through the entrance without waiting. The waiters’ eyes widen the second they see me, but I hold up a hand. They know better than to speak. I head straight for my usual table in the back, the large private one that seats eight, always reserved for nights like this.
The moment I enter the main dining area I feel eyes on me, but my attention locks on the table ahead. My parents are laughing with Kit.Laughing. He’s sitting in myusual chair, looking far too comfortable. He probably has no idea that’s where I always sit. My mother’s leaning toward him, animated, while my father chuckles at something Kit just said.
I approach from behind and place both hands firmly on Kit’s shoulders, squeezing. The deep, instinctive need to touch him flares up instantly, especially when he looks like this.
I lean down and whisper against his ear, low enough that only he can hear, “Baby… this is where I sit.”
Kit tilts his head back and grins up at me lazily, a little too confident, a little too wine-flushed. “Hmm… looks like it’s whereI’msitting.”
I flick my gaze up. Sure enough, there’s an empty wine glass in front of him.
I narrow my eyes at my mother. “You’ve known him for thirty minutes and he’s already drinking?”
She smiles warmly, her own cheeks pink from the wine. “He’s alovelyboy, Soren.”
I wonder what on earth they could have possibly talked about in that short time.
Kit stands up smoothly and shifts to the chair on my right. I feel a sharp surge of satisfaction at how quickly he obeys, but I bite back the praise that wants to leave my mouth.Not in front of my parents.
???
The meal is going surprisingly well. The conversation flows easily enough. Lorraine and my mother have fallen into their usual rhythm, chatting like two old friendswho’ve known each other for decades, even though they’ve only met a handful of times. My mother keeps asking Lorraine questions about how I’m “really doing,” as if Lorraine’s the one who actually raised me.
I keep glancing at Kit, making sure he’s eating more than the small portions he’s been managing lately. His body is still adjusting. He’s not putting away as much as I’d like, but he’s doing better tonight. That’s enough for now.
My parents have taken to him immediately. My mother keeps smiling at him warmly, and even my father, who’s usually reserved, has been engaging him in conversation about books and films. They have no idea what Kit actually is to me. They just see a polite young man with a scarred face and gentle eyes.
My mother suddenly turns to me, wine glass in hand, cheeks flushed. “So… are you still my lonely, brooding son, or will we be having Sinclair grandchildren anytime soon?”
Kit bursts out laughing, bright and loud. I try, and fail, to hide my grin.
Kit, still laughing, says without thinking, “Well… I don’t have the reproductive organs needed for that,so…”
Armen chokes violently on his drink. Selina covers her mouth with both hands. Ray just shakes his head grinning.
My eyes widen as I stare at Kit.
My father clears his throat, looking slightly red. “What?”
I let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. This isnothow I planned on telling them about Kit, or the fact I’m in a sort of relationship with a man. Hell, I hadn’t planned on telling them at all. In my mind, it’s none of their business.
Kit stands up a little too quickly, wobbling from the wine my mother kept pouring for him. I catch him instinctively by the waist.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
Kit grins at me, completely tipsy, and whispers, “I need the toilet.”
I nod and glance at Ray. “Ray, show him where the bathrooms are.”
