Page 30 of Mutual Desire

Nick shrugged, a sudden clouding of his expression revealing his doubt.“About that, I—”

A beautiful brunette interrupted their conversation, approaching them with two menus in hand.“Good evening, gentlemen. A table for two?”

“Make it three and join us,” Nick said, flashing a smile filled with double meaning.

The waitress blushed, giggling nervously. “Um… follow me, please.”

“I’m going to the restroom first. I’ll be back,” Damien said, trying to escape.

Nick smirked knowingly, likely convinced Damien was just fleeing to leave him with the attractive waitress. But Damien simply needed a moment alone, his thoughts swirling chaotically. The moment he entered the clean restroom, Damien splashed cold water on his face, the coolness grounding him. His reflection stared back, exhausted and uncertain.How can I enjoy dinner when I’m keeping this from Nick?

As he washed his hands, he took a deep breath. He hesitated. Should he just leave? Maybe he could feign a headache. But Nick wouldn’t buy that excuse; he’d insist Damien stay. Yet how could he enjoy dinner with his best friend when he held crucial information? Important, painful news that affected Nick? Shouldn’t best friends share everything?

Damien knew it was wrong to hide Nabokov’s decision from Nick now that he had been made aware of it. Nick deserved the truth, and Nabokov was right; it would be easier coming from him. Taking another deep breath, he exited the restroom. Spotting Nick at the far end of the restaurant, he headed over. He found Nick in conversation with the waitress, who nervously played with her long brown hair.

Damien’s arrival interrupted their flirty banter, causing the waitress to leave abruptly, as if caught off guard. Nick turned to watch her go, his gaze lingering. Damien rolled his eyes and sat down.

“Let me guess. You already took her number?”

“Not yet, but soon,” Nick replied, smiling exuberantly.

Nick's cheerful demeanor only intensified Damien’s internal struggle. He picked up the menu but barely registered the options. All he could think about was how to confess.Shit!

“So yeah, about the software.”

“Huh?” Damien replied, still feigning interest in the menu.

“I think it won’t make the cut.”

Damien’s heart leapt, panic washing over him. He sipped his water, trying to mask his surprise.

“What…why do you think that?”

“I dunno. I’ve heard rumors. A few people have had a second meeting planned with the higher-ups, and I didn’t.”

Damien struggled to maintain a neutral expression while everything inside him boiled. He took another sip of his water, desperately trying to stay calm.

Damien forced a smile, his stomach twisting with guilt. “It’s just rumors, Nick. Maybe it’s not your turn yet.”What the hell am I even saying? This was the perfect moment for Damien to reveal the words that were killing him, yet he let the opportunity slip away.

“I guess. I’ll be completely crushed if I get a no.”

Nick’s smile faded slightly, a hint of sadness creeping into his expression. Damien felt a pang in his chest. He clenched his fists under the table.Say it.Just tell him. But the words refused to surface.

“Anto-X will make the cut. Trust me,” Damien said instead, lying through his teeth.

Nick smiled faintly, but Damien’s guilt gnawed at him.I have to fix this. I have to change Nabokov’s mind.

A vision of their fallout flashed throughDamien’s mind, memories of how hard he had worked to mend things after their previous quarrels. Now was his chance to set it right.

He couldn’t believe he had spoken such hopeful words. His yearning for redemption was leading him to think irrationally. He felt disgusted with himself. Nick didn’t deserve this. He deserved the truth. Yet, the words remained trapped in his throat.

Despite his lies, Damien clung to the hope of changing the situation for Nick. He had hope to reverse Nabokov's decision. But now that he had lied, he felt trapped. Confessing now would brand him a liar. Nick would never forgive him, and Damien wouldn’t blame him. If he couldn’t get Nabokov to change his mind, he had to tell him. Dragging this lie out would only make it worse later.

The waitress returned to their table, and Nick's mood shifted instantly, his flirtation re-engaging as if nothing had happened. Damien seized the moment to change the subject. He didn’t want to talk about the software.I’m a bastard!

“Are you gentlemen ready to order?” the waitress asked, avoiding Nick’s gaze, her cheeks flushing.

“Actually, I have a dilemma here. What I want to eat isn’t on the menu,” Nick replied with his charming smile.

---