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As he guides me inside a restaurant that I would never have been able to enter by myself, I note, uncomfortably, how many people turn around to watch us.
“Why are they staring at us?” I whisper to Philip, after the server hands us the menus and leaves.
Philip reaches over the table and holds my hand, and from the look on his face, I know I am not going to like what he is going to tell me.
However, he doesn’t speak, simply motioning for me to check my phone which is on the table.
I open it, and my eyes skim over the small news article. I find it hard to breathe for a few minutes, until Philip’s hand squeezes mine.
I look up at him, my voice a hoarse whisper when I say, “This is a lie. I never cheated on—”
His eyes are steady.
“I know. But they don’t. I’m not letting Erik tear your reputation apart just because he got his ego hurt.”
I’m reassured by his words, but even I know that this seems like more than just Erik’s ego in play. He is deliberately badmouthing me, even though I am a nobody, my current association with Philip aside.
I keep my expression smooth, trying not to let my upset show.
“So is this an attempt to…?”
Philip opens the menu.
“This is me, on a date, with my beautiful wife. Who, by the way, I’m trying to convince to stay married to me.”
I purse my lips, my frustration vanishing in front of his humor.
“If you think you can convince me by buying me pretty jewelry—”
“A-ha,” He looks up, his blue eyes light with delight, “So you do like it!”
“Of course I like it,” I stutter, my hand automatically going to the necklace. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Well, good.” He looks so ridiculously pleased with himself, that I don’t have the heart to tell him I would be returning it to him. “It looks better on you than it did on me, let me tell you that much.”
I can’t help but laugh. Some of the other diners turn around to look at us, and I bite my lip to hold in my snickers.
He is beaming, and as he prods and jokes with me, it feels like we’ve fallen back into the past, where status and society have no role in our lives. It actually feels like a date as he teases me relentlessly, trying to play footsies with me until I tuck my legs to the side with a glare.
I let him order for me, because the entire menu is in French.
The server who waits on us, seems to know Philip, and when he leaves to place our orders, I ask, “Do you come here often? The staff seems to know you.” Philip grins.
“This is one of Fergus’s restaurants. I visit here every now and then. I like this branch. It’s quite close to my apartment.”
I notice a few of the servers glancing our way, curiosity in their gazes, and I murmur, “Then why are they all looking at us like that? As if they’re shocked?”
Philip watches me as he says, “Because I’ve never brought a date here.”
My shoulders tense and I force them to relax, keeping my voice light, not understanding this spark of annoyance.
“So, who were you dating before, you know, this happened?”
“Nobody.” Philip shrugs. “I haven’t dated anybody in a year.” His expression turns thoughtful as he looks at me. “Actually, not since I found out about your engagement from Agatha.”
When he frowns, I prod, “What?” He looks embarrassed.
“When I found out that you were getting married, I went out and got drunk and then got into a bar fight.”
