Page 64 of A First Sight

It had been too long since I had the freedom to do whatIwanted.

“How is rehearsal going?” Carson asked.

I smiled. “It’s been going well. Irene and Nehemiah have been great.”

“And…everyone else?” London’s question was hesitant, and I didn’t blame her. I wouldn’t have known what to say either.

“Most everyone’s staying out of it,” I said. “And the ones who are…the ones who believe Dale, they’re staying away from me. He is too.”

“Better be,” Carson muttered.

“He hasn’t said a word to me since I picked up my things,” I assured him.

“How’s your new line coming?” London asked Carson. I was thankful she changed the subject.

Carson went along with it, filling her in on what he told me over the weeks of dinners we’ve had together. I loved having dinner with my family without worrying about what would happen when I went home.

I shifted as the waiter came to replace our drinks, my gaze moving across the room to another table. I wasn’t sure what caught my eye, but my attention stopped at a table with a tall, lean man with dark auburn hair. My heart skipped a beat…and then I saw he wasn’t alone.

The woman sitting across from him was beautiful, with long, raven-black waves and dusky skin. I couldn’t tell what color her eyes were or make out much about her features from this distance, but I could see enough to know she was gorgeous.

Something twisted in my chest. I’d walked out of Drake’s penthouse a little over two weeks ago and received his letter the next day. He said he would be there if I wanted to forgive him and see if there could still be something between us.

And now he was out with someone else.

“Maggie?” Carson put his hand on my arm. “What is–oh, fuck.”

I pulled my gaze from Drake to see that Carson glared across the room.

“What am I missing?” London’s question drew my attention.

“Drake Mac Gilleain,” Carson said the name like a curse.

London’s brandy-colored eyes moved from me to Carson, then past us both to where Drake sat with his date. She recognized the name, I could see that on her face, but I hadn’t told her about my little romance with Drake. But she understood.

“What do you need?” was all she said.

“I’m going to knock his teeth out.” Carson’s tone was so casual that I almost missed what he said.

“No,” I said firmly, “you’re not.”

“I told him not to hurt you.”

“I’m glad he moved on.” I didn’t quite believe the words as they came out of my mouth. This proved his feelings for me were never genuine. It’d only been two weeks. Now I didn’t need to wonder.

“Mags.” London reached over to grab my hand. “We can leave.”

I shook my head. “Nonsense. We’re not going anywhere.” I turned my chair slightly, putting my back to Drake’s table. “Now, let’s finish dinner so we can look at the dessert menu.” I smiled.

I didn’t know if London and Carson believed me, but they went along with it. Our conversation went to our brother Eoin becoming a father and our newly married brother, Brody.

After a bit, London excused herself to use the restroom.

Once she was out of hearing, Carson gave me a serious look. “You know it’s okay to be pissed at him, right?”

“I’m fine,” I repeated. “And can we please drop it?”

He sighed but nodded, and I gave him a small smile. I could get through this as long as I kept my eyes off Drake.

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