Page 85 of Toxic Kiss

“I see. Trust. Such a delicate little thing. I hope he’s not too lonely at night without you,” she says, and the barb cuts deeply. She always manages to pick at my deepest fears.

“Anita, enough. This is supposed to be an enjoyable dinner. Not one filled with veiled insults,” Father shocks me as he scolds her. Then he turns his eyes on me. “Lets try for pleasant.”

Anita’s lips press into a firm line.

“That is what I was trying to do,” she says.

“No, you weren’t,” Father says, a bit harsher than before. “We’re here to enjoy a meal, not to trade insults. Let’s try to keep it that way.”

Anita sighs, obviously disappointed to be shutdown, but agrees.

Dinner is complete in three elegant courses. The lobster risotto is rich and hits all the right notes. The filet mignon with rosemary demi-glace melts on the tongue. And for dessert, a honeycomb panna cotta that shimmers in the soft light.

Dad fills the conversation with news of LG Records expanding. He wants new satellite offices in Paris, Tokyo, and Brazil, hence the recent trip to Brazil. He says words I never thought would come from his mouth—he’s found the next big K-Pop group. Two years ago, my dad didn’t know what K-Pop was, let alone have an interest in signing a group. His voice buzzes with pride and excitement, and I soak it in like sunlight.

Despite our tense reunion at the hospital, I miss these moments. We chat happily about all the artists, but also spend time on the positive news surrounding Venomous.

“I’m excited for you to be part of this, Haven,” Dad says. “You’ve got all the right instincts.”

Anita chimes in with a smile that can cut glass.

“It’s lovely to see Haven taking initiative and being determined. Especially considering how...temperamental some personalities in the industry can be.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, with as sweet a smile as I can muster. “Are you talking about your son or yourself?”

Cyrus chokes on his water.

“Why do you take everything that I say as an insult? It was meant as a compliment,” Anita replies, cool as frost.

We glare at one another, but our waiter has impeccable timing and arrives to clear our plates. This time, he leans closer than necessary and gives me a smile that’s a little too intimate.

Cyrus’s arm snakes across the back of my chair.

“She’s taken, and you’re making her uncomfortable. She’s just too polite to say,” Cy says in a casual tone, but the gleam in his eyes is lethal. “If you look at her like that again, I’ll get you fired and make you wish you’d never met me.”

Cy adds the last part only loud enough for me and the waiter to hear.

My cheeks flame red with embarrassment and I hate that the words make me feel gooey inside.

The waiter blinks, mutters an apology, and disappears.

“Well, that was humiliating. Was that necessary?”

“What? I’m just helping you out,” he comments with a shrug, but his eyes burn with jealousy.

Cyrus Vale has no right to look at me like that. Not now. Not after everything he has done to me.

My pulse thunders, and I need space.

“Excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room.”

Anita stands as well. “I’ll come with.”

Oh wonderful. This ought to be good.

chapter

twenty-three