Page 50 of The House Guest
After a moment of awkward silence, I twiddled my thumbs and turned to Meena. “So…how did you meet Dorian?”
“We met on an app. This is our first date.”
“I see.”
Meena tilted her head. “He said you’re an artist?”
“Yep.” I nodded and took a long sip of my wine.
“That’s very cool,” she replied.
That was the extent of our riveting conversation.
Janelle had bumped seats with a man behind her, and now she was chatting him up. He appeared to be the fifth wheel to another set of two couples, and he and Janelle were joking about having that in common.
Dorian finally returned. “I thought I’d never get out of that line. This place is packed.” He set the drinks down before turning to Brandon. “You guys met at school?”
“Yes…” he answered. “But I’m not a student. I graduated a few years back.”
“Brandon is an advisor and mentor,” I added.
Dorian stirred his drink. “Are you a full-time artist?”
“Yes. I do well working on commission.”
“Impressive.” Dorian took a sip.
“And what do you do?” Brandon asked.
“I run a technology company.”
“That’s right. Primrose mentioned that you lost your dad and had to take over. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.”
Brandon turned to Dorian’s date. “And what do you do, Meena?”
“I’m a buyer for Sheldon’s.”
“Oh nice.” I feigned interest. “I love their…crop tops.”
“I’m sure you do.” Dorian grinned mischievously over at me as I felt my cheeks heat.
Maybe I was kidding myself, but it felt like from the moment he’d walked in, Dorian’s eyes had mostly been on mine, as if everyone else didn’t exist.
“That must be such a fun job,” I said, clearing my throat.
“It is for now. I can see myself tiring of it.”
I licked wine from my lips. “Why do you say that?”
“Someday when I have kids, I don’t want to be working.”
How nice to have that option.I inwardly rolled my eyes. “I’m guessing you were raised by a stay-at-home mother,” I said.
“That’s correct.”
“That’s nice. But not everyone has the luxury of choosing not to work. My mother certainly didn’t.” I bit my lip, unsure whether that came across as rude. Maybe Imeantit to be rude, since there was something about Meena I didn’t like. Perhaps it was the fact that she’d very possibly get to sleep with Dorian tonight? That was likely it.
