Page 25 of Enthrall Shadows
“Not the usual stuffy promos your company runs with,” I teased playfully.
Henry frowned at his brother. “Some classless campaign, I imagine.”
“Where did you see it?” asked Cameron.
“Can’t remember now,” I said. “Maybe near the Grove.”
“If you could wrack your brain and recall where you saw it,” said Henry, sounding annoyed, “we’d appreciate it.”
“As the CEO,” I quipped back, “I’d have thought you’d be on top of that.”
“Who runs the advertising at Chrysalis?” Henry asked, taking aim at me.
Cameron didn’t flinch. “Did you enjoy your time in one of our dungeons?”
“It was enlightening,” Henry answered, his gaze focused on me.
I opened my mouth to defend myself and Cameron’s hand covered mine, silencing me.
We changed the subject with lively banter. I sat back and enjoyed the discussions between friends—the smart conversations around politics, current affairs, and some more philosophical subjects.
I enjoyed revisiting the fun stories that found their way around the table.
And then there was Henry.
Most of the time, he sat there quietly, seemingly in a judgmental mood.
He preferred Mia’s company, it seemed. They had a special bond. You could see the respect they had for each other, their shared whispers and the way he gravitated to her. He felt safe with Mia.
Not that long ago, Mia had pried Henry out of a secluded cabin in Big Bear. The consequences of that were sweeping. Henry had taken over the running of Cole Tea. But Mia understood Cameron had never wanted to be a CEO.
Everyone seemed happier now.
Everyone except me, I suppose.
I felt unsettled lately, with a desire for change. But at the same time I was fearful of it.
I hid it well.
The menus were presented, and we each took one.
I chose the lobster tail from the menu and paired it with a crisp chardonnay. When it was time for dessert, most of us chose the chocolate mousse.
I counted the minutes until it arrived.
Finally, the waiter set a dish of delicious creamy mousse before me. My mouth watered as I savored the pudding.
While licking chocolate off my spoon, my tongue rimming its edge, I suddenly realized that Henry had become fixated on me.
Quickly, he pushed up from the table and excused himself.
Discreetly, I watched him stroll away.
My heart sank.
I finished my dessert and glanced his way, pretending to scan the room.
At the bar, he had struck up a conversation with a stunning blonde with a neat chignon—a flawless representation of the ruling class.
