AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sound of footfalls behind me preceded Dax’s voice. “What is it?” Sidling up to me, he sighed. “Another crime scene, I see.”
“Don’t be dramatic.” I flapped a hand toward the sadly dead mouse. “This is a natural thing.”
“Natural?” he echoed, his brow creasing. “You call that natural?”
“Cats kill rodents. Probably have done since almost the beginning of time. It’s no biggie.”
“The mouse has no head.”
I nodded, swallowing. “I see that.”
He flicked up a brow. “It doesn’t bother you that your cat apparently chose to—”
“There’s no proof that Gypsy beheaded it, okay. Let’s not make assumptions. She could have found it this way.”
Sighing again, Dax grabbed the dustpan and brush from a cupboard. “Face it, Addison, there’s something very wrong with your pet.” He scooped up the tiny corpse and took it outside.
I wiped down the floor and then retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge just as he reentered the kitchen. “I’ll be in my office if you need me for anything.”
“Or you could join us in the living room,” he suggested. “You’ve done it before when we watched football and soccer.”
Because I’d wanted to make an effort to get to know the people closest to him. Also, listening to the boys rag on each other could be fun. But … “I don’t want to constantly horn in on your time with the guys.”
“It’s not ‘horning in’ when you’re being invited, is it?” He returned the dustpan and brush to the cupboard. “Well?”
“All right.” I placed the water back into the fridge, nabbed a beer instead, and then followed Dax into the living room. At his urging, I squeezed into the spot between him and the corner of the sofa.
Maverick frowned at me when I took a few nachos from the bowl on the coffee table. His gaze cut to Dax. “So what’s happening here is you have a wife who’s all class and beauty but will crack open a beer, not bitch about the shitload of junk food, and will watch live sports with you and your buds?”
“Yes,” Dax replied.
Maverick shook his head. “You’re a lucky fucker.”
Dax’s mouth curved into a self-satisfied grin that said,I know.
Well, so long as he knew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As Dax and I stood in the short line at the hostess station, I carefully adjusted the position of my rose gold bracelet. It was no shock that his business dinner was being held at this particular restaurant. Many were. In fact, I’d met with clients here on a number of occasions.
With its white and gold color palette, the place was elegant with a regal vibe. Beautiful paintings adorned the walls. The occasional sculpture and pretty plant could be seen. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, ensuring the space was well lit but not too bright.
Tables covered in alabaster-white tablecloths were dotted about the space. Waiters and waitresses weaved between them, smoothly navigating the labyrinth. Delicious scents wafted from steaming plates that either sat on tables or were being carried on trays.
It wasn’t loud or rowdy. No boisterous laughter, no shrieking kids, no babies crying. The air gently pulsed with soft murmurs, low classical music, and the clinking of silverware.
My only complaint was that the air conditioning was a little too cool. Goosebumps swept up my skin, making me wish that the collar of my black jumpsuit didn’t diagonally slash across my chest, leaving one shoulder and arm bare.
Hearing a soft feminine giggle, I looked at the couple directly in front of us. They were so cute. They kept leaning into each other, whispering and chuckling. His fingers were splayed possessively on her back, and he repeatedly brushed kisses over her temple.
I slid a quick look at the man beside me. The beginnings of a wan smile touched my lips. Here we were standing close enough that our arms touched.Thrilling, I thought dryly.
I wondered what he’d do if I leaned into him and kissed his cheek or something. Probably jerk away with awhat the hell?glare. The image was funny enough to tempt me to go through with it.
When we eventually reached the front of the line, Dax told the hostess we were meeting others here. She informed us that some were already seated at the table and gestured for us to follow her. Dax swept out a hand, indicating for me to go first. I trailed behind the hostess, my high heels clicking on the floor.
We paused at one point as a large group rose from a nearby table and made moves to leave. One by one, they carefully filed past us. A particular male stopped as he caught sight of me.
