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The main course was delivered next, and it was almost time for Holden to join our table.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” His deep baritone washed over me, my body reacting involuntarily to the sexy tone. Feeling a bit rattled, I shook it off, and when I glanced up, his warm brown eyes were boring into mine—studying me as he stood over our table.
“Oh, Holden!” Brooklyn squealed, then reached out and grabbed his arm, practically pulling him into the chair next to her, directly across from me. Not that there was anywhere else for him to sit with only four chairs. “It’s so great to get to meet you, finally. I’m Brooklyn Avers, and so happy to be here again. It’s been years since I’ve visited. Though I have to say, your estate is even lovelier than I remember. Have you redecorated?”
Holden blinked a few times, likely processing Brooklyn’s mile-a-minute talking. “Ah, yes. I believe there have been some updates, though my mother would know more about that.”
“Oh, your mother is just the most beautiful woman—such a graceful creature. I hope to get to know her better while I’m here; she’s such an inspiration.”
Jessica and I exchanged glances again, and it was all I could do to keep my smile from morphing into a giggle.
Holden cleared his throat. “Well, welcome back to the estate. You as well, Jessica. It’s nice to see some familiar faces.”
Apparently, these two had enough connections to have visited here before. Or perhaps it was just my pack that kept their distance from the North American pack.
“Kayden.” The way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. Irritated, I sat up straighter and stared, not bothering to greet him. What was I supposed to say, anyway?So happy to be forced into this?
His brow furrowed. “How is your side?”
My hand moved to my side, where the stitches were starting to itch. Luckily, being a shifter meant I’d heal up within days. “I’m fine.”
He held my gaze, though the look in his eyes was unreadable. “Glad to hear it,” he murmured. “You’re looking quite lovely today.” He frowned, as if he hadn’t meant to say it, then quickly added, “All of you do.”
Brooklyn beamed, and Jessica spoke up. “Your dress is gorgeous, Kayden.”
“Yes,” Holden agreed. “Green is my new favorite color of late. Though I used to love blue.”
I glanced around the room. So that was why nearly all the women were wearing various shades of blue—including Brooklyn.
“Thanks,” I mumbled, then focused on my meal. I was so out of my element.
Brooklyn continued chattering away for most of the fifteen minutes. Jessica managed to get a few words in, but only when Holden addressed her specifically. I only spoke when spoken to as well but by choice. Sitting across from this man was a lot harder than I expected. Not only did I feel a strange, unfamiliar sensation race through my body every time our eyes met, but I was having difficulty reconciling that I was dining with the man who’d killed Nico.
Holden glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately, it looks like my time is up.” He stood. “Kayden, would you walk with me for a moment?”
I frowned, but I couldn’t exactly refuse, could I? Not if I still intended on making it to the top ten. If I was going to stick to that plan, I needed to pretend like the very sight of Holden wasn’t sending me into a tailspin. “Sure.”
Holden rounded the table and placed his hand on my lower back as I stood. Heat radiated from him, and it was all I could do to keep my face blank. Why did the man who was my mortal enemy have to be so damn hot?
“How are you, really?” he asked softly, bending his head to my ear. The tickle of his breath was almost too much to bear.
“I said I’m fine.” I clenched my jaw. “No real harm done.”
He narrowed his eyes like he didn’t believe me as we walked slowly toward the next table. He paused a few yards away, and I was acutely aware of every eye in the room zeroing in on the two of us—especially when he moved in close and whispered in my ear once more.
“I know it wasn’t your choice to be here.” His voice had lost the gentleness. “But at least you could pretend like you want to get to know me.”
I jerked back, irritation rising quickly. “Sorry. I’m having a hard time playing nice with the man who murdered my brother,” I hissed.
Holden’s eyes widened, but he quickly schooled his expression into something unreadable. “Murder is a strong word, don’t you think?”
I arched a brow. “Just calling it as I see it.”
We stared at each other in silence; if it weren’t for our audience, I might have said more.
“I was going to invite you to the group date this evening, Kayden.” He gave me a meaningful look, but whatever he was trying to convey was lost on me in the confusing rush of emotions that followed his statement.
Irritation. Excitement. Anger. And an annoying flutter in my stomach.
