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My heart rate kicked up and my mouth went dry.
“Yes! Iwan and I had talked about that a few years back. I was the one who suggested he try it,” Will’s grandfather said with a chuckle.
The table laughed and engaged in the topic of teething babies, while I sat uncomfortably, squeezing my thighs together and sipping my wine faster than I should. Eli’s hand remained beside my thigh, his shoulder touching mine and his intoxicating cologne tormenting me.
I would never make it through this evening unscathed.
“Are you okay?” Davina whispered.
“No.”
“Crap. We’ll leave after dinner.”
“Okay.”
Eli
I dialed into the whispers between Autumn and Davina. No chance would I let Autumn run off so early in the evening. When she left, it would be with me and back to my hotel.
Servers arrived earlier than I’d expected. It meant I needed to speed things up with Autumn, who had the rosiest cheeks I’d seen since college. She must have done some shots at the bar before she came to the table. She could drink wine all night and not get a flushed face, but tequila had a strong effect on her. One I could use to my advantage.
Not like get-her-drunk-and-take-her-against-her-will-in-a-coat-closet advantage. I’d never do that. But tequila made Autumn docile. It lowered her guard, and she might listen to me. She might let me back in.
Autumn didn’t talk much during dinner, which was surprising. She was a social butterfly. I attributed her silence to being nervous next to me.
“Autumn, are you ready to hit the Big Apple? You’re from there, right?” Will asked. I had to wonder where he was going with this line of questioning.
“Yes, I’m from New Jersey. I’m prepared for the trip.”
Will flicked his dark eyes to me. “And you’re going as well, Eli?”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.” I was already planning how I’d woo Autumn back into my life. A stroll through Central Park, dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant… lots of sex.
She sighed. “Excuse me.” She was out of her chair and racing toward the bathroom before I could take hold of her hand.
Great.
“Sorry, man. Thought I was helping.” Will grimaced.
“What do you mean, helping?” Will’s mom, Claire, asked.
Davina rose from her chair. “Eli is Autumn’s ex-husband. He’s here to get Autumn back. Excuse me.”
Fuck. This night just went to hell in a handbasket.
Will and his dad chuckled while the women eyed me with arched brows. I hadn’t expected to be the topic of discussion, but here I was, and I didn’t know what the fuck to say.
So I shrugged with a cocky, unapologetic grin. “I’d do anything to get my wife back.”
Miranda and Claire’s expressions softened. They were easy to defuse. I wasn’t so sure Autumn would be.
The big band playing during dinner had made a quick exit and a DJ appeared. I watched for Autumn, noting she was taking a long time in the restroom. I hoped she wasn’t crying, because that would make me feel like a king-sized asshole. And if she’d managed to duck out without my notice, I’d lose my shit.
I exhaled when I saw her heading back with Davina. It didn’t appear she had been crying, to my relief. A man stopped her and placed his hand on her shoulder. Every muscle in my body tensed. They chatted and laughed briefly, then he led her to the dance floor.
Fucking hell, this was not cool. Not cool at all.
Davina took her seat and leaned across Autumn’s chair toward me with a worried expression. “If you have any redeeming qualities, go rescue her. Right. Now. Joey is SJI’s manwhore and he’s been after her for months. Autumn’s tipsy and not in the right headspace to deal with his advances. Go.”
