Page 101 of Built to Fall
“Oh, really?” Savannah looks intrigued. “For who?”
Eden and Meredith both look toward Lina, knowing she’ll remember. Because she remembers everything.
“Prada.”
I swear, Savannah practicallyswoons. “Oh my goodness. She’s always been the coolest person I know.”
“You’ve known Kara?” Meredith asks. “For how long?”
“As long as I can remember, really,” she says, taking a sip of her water. “Both of our families grew up in the city, and our mothers knew each other from their time modeling. It wasn’t uncommon for our paths to cross.”
When everyone’s drinks are passed around the table, we all begin looking through the menus. I notice the way Braxton holds his out in front of Meredith, pointing out different options to her. Considering how small Meredith is, I’m assuming he’s suggesting they split something.
“Hey,” I say, leaning in closer to Lina.
“Hi.” She gives a small smile, looking up at me.
This restaurant isn’t the most well lit, but I can still make out her hazel eyes and the way her eyelashes flutter when she blinks.
She is easily one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen, and I can’t stop myself from resting my hand on the small of her back, right where her sweater meets the leather of her skirt.
Conversation flows around us, everyone chatting casually. Savannah doesn’t know Eden or Meredith the best, but she’s a people person through and through, so it’s easy for her to find things to talk about.
Right now, I’m only focused on Lina.
“What are you thinking of getting?” I ask, trying to catch a glimpse of where she’s at on the menu.
Really, I’m using it as an excuse to get even the slightest bit closer to her.
My chin brushes her shoulder, and I feel a chill run up her spine in response. Like Meredith and Braxton, we’re now looking at the same menu while the familiar eucalyptus scent of her hair infiltrates my system, and the close-up view of her fogs my concentration.
She turns her head slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not sure yet. Everything looks good.”
I hum in agreement, but I have no idea what’s actually on the page. My eyes flick over the menu, but all I can register is the warmth of her next to me, the soft edge of her laugh as she points something out, and the way her knee barely brushes mine under the table.
It’s dangerous how easily I get lost in her.
Then, she decides, “I’m going to get pasta.”
“Strong start,” I say, fighting a smile just from looking at her. “Sounds like your priorities are in order.”
“They always are.” She finally glances up at me, a playful look in her eye. “What about you? Let me guess, steak? Somethingmanly, boring, and safe,” she jokes.
“Wow. Do I give off boring and safe?” I ask, mock offense dripping from my voice.
“You’re wearing apolo, Grant.”
I glance down at my shirt, then back at her. “This is upscale. I’m dressed appropriately for the occasion.”
“It says you asked your sister what to wear, and she laid it out for you,” she teases, fixing the collar.
She’s not wrong, but I lean in, lowering my voice just enough. “Okay, but if I did, that’s further proof that I take advice from smart women. Which bodes well for this dinner.”
Laughing, she nudges my leg under the table. “Fine. You win that one.”
“I always do.” I smirk. “And yes, I am getting a steak. Thank you for proving how predictable I am.”
Her laugh floats through the air, almost like she’s forgotten to keep me at arm’s length. But knowing how Lina is incapable of forgetting anything, I know it’s a conscious decision she’s made.
