Page 36 of Brutal Titan

Victoria

“I loved it,” I say, exiting the doorway of the museum while Dalton holds the door open for me.

He steps around me when we reach his car, pulling the handle to open the passenger door. I’m just about to have a seat as he asks, “Are you sure?”

My fingers clutch the hard surface of the door frame and I hesitate to look to him. When I do, his warm smile still in place but there’s an uneasiness to his posture. “Yes, I had a great time.”

“I hope so. You seemed a little distant, so I wasn’t sure if you were really enjoying yourself.”

Dropping my hand to my side, I let out a frustrated breath. I know I’d been distracted, but I’d tried (and apparently failed) to not let him know. “I’m sorry. It’s just been a long week, but I really am enjoying myself.”

“Me too.” He smiles, motioning for me to get into the car. “And it’s not over yet, if you’re up for some good food.”

“Yes. That sounds good.” Mostly. Though I’m enjoying myself, I know I should’ve backed out. I’d considered it nearly every day this week, especially after what happened in the locker room with Grant and Elliot. The last two days of the week was spent simply going through the motions. I’d thought maybe this would pull me out of my funk, but I think it’s having the opposite effect. Now I know that no matter how much I try, Elliot Bass is ingrained in my heart and soul. I told myself I was hiding the date from him to avoid causing drama, but the hurt expression on his face made me realize that I hadn’t wanted him to know because I didn’t want to hurt him.

Dalton shuts the door after I’m safely situated in the seat, hurrying around to slide into the driver’s seat. He’s thoughtful, polite, uncomplicated, so why is the thought of him asking me out again making me so unsettled? I want stable. I want someone who doesn’t fly off the handle at the drop of a hat. I want someone reliable, someone I don’t have to second guess or wonder what he’s thinking. Or if he’s going to run away scared because he can’t separate his feelings for me from the fact that I’m his best friend’s sister. At least, those are all the reasons on repeat in my head as I continuously force the person I shouldn’t want, but still do, out of my mind.

The car pulls to a stop in front of Tennille’s the valet employee pulls the door open, Dalton hands his keys off then hurries around, holding his hand to me as I step out of the car. Placing my hand in his, I note how odd it feels but I don’t let go as he leads me to the door, pulling it open with this free hand as the other releases mine, gently pressing the small of my back as we step into the restaurant. As unnatural as his touch feels, I don’t shy away from it because I want to like him—the attractive, polite, uncomplicated guy who doesn’t change his mind every five minutes.

Dalton steps to my side as we walk up to the hostess. “Four o’clock reservation for Maynor.”

The hostess skims the list before looking back to Dalton. “Yes, here it is. My apologies, but there will be just a short wait before your table is ready. Maybe twenty minutes.”

Dalton glances to his watch, looking to me, “Hm. It’s four now. Do you mind waiting?”

“No, not at all.”

The hostess motions to the small waiting area near the entrance as Dalton hesitantly clasps my hand. We walk to the small leather bench and have a seat, but he doesn’t release my hand. He makes small talk for about ten minutes before I begin to relax a bit. Even though his hand remains entwined with mine, it’s taken me a bit to think I have a chance at truly enjoying the rest of the evening. No sooner had the thought occurred to me than the restaurant’s door swings open and a large group of loud voices I’d recognize anywhere walk in, led by none other than the bane of my existence.

Elliot’s eyes quickly drop to Dalton’s hand joined with mine as he walks over to us.

Standing, I release Dalton’s hand. There’s no way this is accidental. “What are you doing here?”

“Grabbing a bite to eat. What else?” He smirks as Asher and Wade walk up next to him. “I told your brother it’s such a coincidence that my grandpa had a reservation up for grabs since he made it for a business meeting before remembering he’d be traveling this weekend.”

That asshole has an answer for everything, pulling a cover story out of his ass to explain any scenario. It’s tempting to say exactly what he’s up to, but the last thing I want is a scene in the middle of Tennille’s with Dalton watching on. “Yep. Big coincidence.”

“Enjoy your date.” He winks, continuing over to the hostess as he loudly announces, “Bass reservation, party of twenty.”

“Right this way.” The hostess gives him a warm smile, leading him and the other nineteen idiots to a section of tables. Kind of strange since we’re waiting on a table for two. How do I know that he went out of his way to ensure our wait? Whether he’d done it to stroke his own perceived importance or simply to piss me off doesn’t matter. I want to throat punch him all the same.

Tracking him, I watch as he pulls a chair out for Belinda, making a complete show of it before sitting down next to her. I hate him. I resume my seat, struggling to swallow down my anger. Holding my arms across my chest, I seriously debate going over there and yanking the chair out from underneath him.

“We can go somewhere else,” Dalton says, making me feel even worse.

“No, it’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting my brother and his friends to show up, especially one in particular.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, totally.” Not. But I don’t want Elliot to destroy what’s left of my date. I’m trying to enjoy myself, and have every intention of doing so—I will not let Elliot Bass sabotage my plans. Again.

“So, he’s your brother’s friend. I was a little curious when I saw the mysterious sketchbook buyer at your house.”

“Yep. His mom is big into art,” I say, hoping he will think that was the reason Elliot went on a buying spree. “She’s the one who helps me with my art, but she hasn’t been around lately.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Hopefully, that’ll change soon.”