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Until that point he hadn’t introduced his companion, she stood just to his side with a smile on her face. I watched her place her hand on hisarm.
“Introduce us,” she said. She had an American Southern accent, the same asGabriella.
“I’m sorry. Jerry, Lauren, this is Addison. Addison, Jerry owned a company I’ve just acquired and Lauren is to transfer asCEO.”
She reached out to take my hand; she had a firmhandshake.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said to usboth.
“We just booked a table, do you want to join us?” Jerry said. I could have kickedhim.
Addison wore a cream trouser suit and high heels that had her tower over me. Her makeup was perfect, her nails manicured. In my jeans and shirt, with Converse on my feet, I felt completely dull besideher.
“That would be wonderful,” she said. “Shall we?” she asked Mackenzie. Henodded.
“Let me change the table,” Jerry said. He left me standing there as he went back to thebar.
“Erm, we have a bottle of wine, if you’d like some,” I said. Wanting to shrink from hergaze.
“Thank you, it’s kind of you to ask us to join you,” shesaid.
“I’m sure Jerry and Lauren would prefer to spend their lunch time on their own,” Mackenziesaid.
“No way, it’s cool,” Jerry said, as he returned carrying two more glasses. “Table changed, just got to wait another tenminutes.”
I turned and walked back to the sofa we’d left our drinks at, wanting to curse that the one opposite was thenvacant.
Jerry and I sat one side; Mackenzie and Addison took the oppositeone.
“Are you here on holiday?” Jerry asked, as he poured morewine.
“Sort of. It’s a beautiful country, Mackenzie has been showing mearound.”
Jerry peppered her with questions and I kept my gaze low as I sipped my wine. I listened as she explained that she’d recently taken a tour around Europe, detailing museums and art houses she’d visited in Milan andParis.
“Have you been to Milan?” she asked. It was the pause that alerted me to the fact she’d addressedme.
“I haven’t, I hear it’s a stunningplace.”
She detailed her holiday, laughing as she recalled memories. Jerry asked her a question but I’d tuned out. That was until she answeredone.
“Mackenzie and I honeymooned in Europe,” shesaid.
I froze; I think I even blinkedrapidly.
“Oh, so you’re married?” Jerrysaid.
She was interrupted from answering by the waitress approaching to tell us our table was ready. I wanted to kick the fucking waitress as well. I wanted the answer as to whether they were divorced or not. Gabriella had told me her brother had seduced Mackenzie’s wife. But I had no idea if that caused a divorce or even how long ago thatwas.
They didn’t live together; I’d been to his house, twice. There had been no evidence of her there. But then he was back and forth to the U.S. constantly. Did he live with her when he was backhome?
We stood and I allowed Mackenzie and Addison to walk ahead. Jerry lowered his head tomine.
“She’s a stunner,” he whispered. I pinched him hard on thearm.
I trailed behind and was thankful Addison had taken the seat beside Mackenzie and not opposite. I let Jerry sit first, which meant I was left facingAddison.
“So you work with Jerry,Lauren?”
