Page 3 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Ah, not anymore,” I replied. Didn’t want him thinking I was down the pub every Friday. “I’m too busy nowadays.”

Oh double dose of crap. He was drawing me in. What if he wasrecording this conversation? What if he had a secret camera installed in the back here that just caught me fixing my bra strap? Where was that button?

“Well, you seem to be nice. Those things they’re writing about you on the internet, humph, bunch of trolls if you ask me. It’s easy for someone to comment on something that doesn’t concern them from behind a screen. Let them say that to your face and I’m sure Mr Bradley will sort them out.”

Ok. This was getting too familiar. Button, button, where art thou? Shouldn’t it be on a console? Oh, there it was. Now I knew where the button was I felt too guilty to press it. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“Are you from London?” I asked. It was better if we spoke about him and not me.

“I’m from the Isle of Wight.” he said proudly.

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“I don’t live there anymore, mind you. Met the Missus 20 years ago and that was that. I try to go back a few times each year but my Missus is a London girl. Won’t go too far or she’ll break out in hives,” he laughed loudly. “At least that’s what she tells me.”

I laughed politely with him. If Matt was here he would’ve cleared his throat to show his displeasure then wound the partition up. Hell, if Matt was here I doubted the driver would’ve been this friendly. For the whole drive to Mayfair my finger hovered above the button but the partition never got raised. When we arrived, he opened my door and smiled at me. I glanced up at the building.

“Ah, is it-”

“The Lecture Room & Library, Ms DuMont.” he advised as I gripped my purse and walked towards a night of tension with my future-in-laws. Oh my god.

That sounded weird in my head. In-laws. I was going to have in-laws. Shit. I was engaged. I glanced at my engagement ring, checking it was still there. The staircase leading up to the restaurant was very impressive and I felt a bit disappointed it was too dark outside to see the natural light pouring through the glass ceiling dome. Maybe Matt and I could come here sometime in the future. The suit and tie man guarding the way into the restaurant looked me up and down, subtlyof course, but I caught it. I straightened my spine even more.

“Reservation?” he asked politely.

I couldn’t go wrong with the answer. All the people at dinner tonight had the same last name, bar me. Damn. Matt wanted me to take his name. I wasn’t too sure about that.

“Bradley.” I replied coolly.

“Of course,” he said, waving someone over. “I’ll have someone show you to your table.”

I smiled at him and tried to convince my body to stop sweating. Matt would be here and he wouldn’t let his parents badger me. He would definitely stop his mom from throwing a drink in my face if she had a momentary lapse of cultured behaviour.

Another suit and tie man led me to the table and I started sweating in earnest when I noticed Matt’s parents but didn’t see my knight.Was he in the men’s room?

I flashed them my Colgate smile, the one I only brought out for special occasions.

“Hello, Mr and Mrs Bradley.” I murmured as suit and tie no.2 pulled my chair out and scooted me in when I partially sat down. I hated that in restaurants. It was awkward. You had to hover above the chair while they pushed it forward and it always banged your knees.

“Madison.” William Jnr greeted while Portia’s gaze was fixed on the ring I wore.

“Has Matt not arrived as yet?” I asked, shooting quick glances around.Please let him be in the washroom.

“No,” William Jnr said, confirming my worst fear. “Unfortunately, he has not.”

“Oh.” I said then promptly fell silent. Matt’s mom still had to address me verbally.

“Would you like to order a drink?” A female waiter suddenly appeared from behind with a bright dazzler on her mouth.

“Ah, yes, can I have a-” The list of respectable drinks flashed before my eyes but I heard the words, “Whiskey, please.” Come out instead.

Portia’s gaze hardened while William Jnr gave me a surprised look, begrudging surprise. Was he a whiskey drinker too? Did we havesomething in common besides our mutual love for his youngest son? When my whiskey was delivered to the table, it was intense self-control which allowed me to take a dainty sip instead of downing it in one. I would make Matt suffer for this.

“Let us deal with the elephant in the room, shall we?” Portia began in a silky voice. “It appears our son has proposed to you.”

I managed a feeble smile and nodded before taking a larger sip of my whiskey. Damn you, Matt, wherever you are, damn you!

“I do not think you are a fool, Madison,” she said coldly. “You are fully aware that my husband and I are not pleased with the relationship between you and our son.”

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