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He doesn’t respond right away and I read over the conversation again, wondering what he meant byI don’t. What’s there not to get?I contemplate this thought, obsessing over it the entire way to the restaurant as I try to calm my nerves and convince myself that there is absolutely nothing sexy about seeing Theo tonight. I opt to wear black flowy pants and a high-neck sleeveless black backless top, trying not to show too much skin so Theo doesn’t have to struggle with keeping his eyes off of me. I get to the restaurant with about ten minutes to spare and see I have a message from Theo.
TG: I can’t stop thinking about you.
Me: Neither can I.
I’m beaming at my phone when I hear Lucas’ voice as soon as I enter the lobby so I put my phone away.
“Hey, they sat us already,” he says as he pulls me into a hug. He’s wearing a black polo and dark blue jeans and I’m suddenly very grateful that I didn’t dress up too much. “Just wanted to make sure you knew where to find us.”
“Is everyone here?”
“Hell no. My mom will probably be at least thirty minutes late and Raegan will be either right on time or a little late herself. It’s just me and Dad.”
Awesome.
“Okay.” I reach for his arm as he goes to walk away and tug on it gently. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. “I was just thinking I haven’t seen my mom in almost two years. That can’t be right?” He narrows his eyes. “I remember last year she came to New York for Fashion Week in September and we somehow missed each other.” He shrugs. “It’s always got to be on her terms though, right?”
I wince, remembering that. He wasn’t dying to see her or anything but I remember hearing the disappointment in his voice when she told him that she was “swamped while she was in town” and that he should definitely come to Italy over winter break. “Lucas…”
“I’m glad you’re here.” He gives me a smile before he ushers me in front of him towards our table, guiding me with his hand on the small of my bare back to a private room. It’s a round table and I see Theo sitting and scrolling through his phone. His eyes lift to meet mine when I walk in and I give him a small smile as Lucas takes the seat next to him.
“You look very nice, Avery.” He’s a little more dressed up than Lucas, in a button-down and slacks and I try not to focus too much on the skin exposed from where he left a few buttons undone.
“Thank you.” I smile, trying my best not to swoon in front of Lucas.
“Yeah, you do. I rarely see you in pants during the summer.” Lucas chuckles before he takes a sip of what I think is bourbon.
I sit on the other side of Lucas and we have a few moments of silence before Theo breaks it.
“Your sister said they will be here in five. Any word from your mother?” Theo looks at Lucas in question and Lucas rolls his eyes.
“She said ten minutes, but I’d bet a million dollars she hasn’t left her hotel yet.”
“Alright, no one is less pleased about this than me, but she’s here and she’s your mother. Don’t spend the whole dinner making jabs at her.”Theo lightly scolds.
Lucas scoffs. “How is that a jab? That’s a fact.”
“You know what I’m saying Luke.” Theo gives him a look and Lucas rolls his eyes before taking another sip of his drink.
“Fine, whatever.”
The door opens and Raegan walks in with a tall man at her side. He has sandy brown hair, a little peppered with gray, and blue eyes behind sleek square frames. I’ve never met Wes; I’ve only seen pictures, but he is definitely better looking in person.
Yep, Idefinitely have a thing for older men.
“Dad, Lucas, you remember Wes.” She points at him and they both shake his hand and extend polite pleasantries before she turns to me. “This is Avery, Lucas’ and my childhood friend. More Lucas though. They’ve always been attached at the hip. She’s his buffer,” she whispers loudly, causing Lucas to shoot her a look.
I stand and hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Raegan has had nothing but lovely things to say about you.” He shakes my hand and gives me a warm smile revealing dimples on each cheek.
“Lovely to meet you as well, Avery. Raegan has told me about you also.” His voice is low and deep and very sexy.Good for you, Rae.
Raegan immediately takes the seat next to Theo and Wes sits next to her, leaving the only open seat between Wes and me. While it’s not my ideal seating arrangement, I can understand why. Wes and I inadvertently serve as the shield to both Raegan and Lucas.
The conversation flows for the next twenty minutes or so and although everyone is tense, the air is breathable. It’s like we’re all bracing ourselves but we want to enjoy it now before the storm begins.
When Rebecca finally walks in, she’s dressed to the absolute nines in stilettos and the most stunning Fendi dress.God, how is she always so perfect!?
