Page 52 of Keep Me Never
I look to mine, folded neatly beside my plate, and wonder if I should do the same. I’m not a complete fool. I know the etiquette, even if it’s not something I’m faced with much, but we haven’t even ordered yet, let alone been served. Glancing over, I find Paige’s napkin is still on the table, so I stop worrying about it.
“Besides, it’s not your turn today, Boss Man. I already slipped the waiter my card,” Prescott announces. “Lunch is on me.”
“I can pay for my own meal.” I wince at the accusation in my tone, the words tumbling out of me without thought, but there’s not really anything I can say to make it better. And Icanpay for my own meal; it just might take a good chunk of what I have to do so.
“I meant no disrespect.” Of course, the guy has to go and look legitimately bothered by the idea, his expression pinched with regret. “I only figured it was fair, seeing as I picked the restaurant, and we sort of hijacked your lunch hour. I’d like to cover it, if you don’t mind.”
I mind…but then again, I shouldn’t be here. This is one of those places that doesn’t even have prices on their menu. That can only be a sign it costs way too damn much.
What does it even matter; my pride is pretty much nonexistent at this point anyway, right?
It’s with that thought that I lift a shoulder as nonchalantly as I can manage, a fake grin in place as I let it hit where italways does—quiet, but heavy. “Only if you don’t make me eat salmon.”
“Thank you!” Paige giggles, lifting her hand for a high five.
It’s adorable, and I meet her hand with my own without hesitation, winking at her as we pull back.
There she goes again, chewing on that little lip.
My mouth tugs up on one side, and I look down at my water, but when my head lifts again, I find Mr. Randolph’s gaze bouncing between his granddaughter and me. In the end, his attention settles my way, his gaze latching onto my own, but he merely smiles and goes back to drinking his coffee before jumping into a topic with Paige that goes over my head.
We’re halfway through our meal when Prescott shifts toward Paige, his arm stretching out until his fingers press against the back of her arm, right over her bicep.
I glare at where he’s touching her, the move an unnecessary one when he could have simply called her name, but he pulls back as quickly as he reaches out, pinning her with his megawatt Hollywood smile when she looks his way.
Or maybe I’m being an ass about it because I don’t like the idea of him touching her.
“So.” He turns his body so it’s facing her completely, the rest of the table forgotten. “I realize you still have quite a bit of thinking to do, all things considered, but I was wondering…” His words, mixed with that good-boy smile of his, has the nerves in my already-tense shoulders bunching up.
Quite a bit of thinking?
About what?
And how doesheknow she has something to think about?
“There’s a fundraiser coming up next week, nothing too fancy or complicated,” he continues. “I would really like it if you came with me.”
It takes all I’ve got to keep my face neutral, just waiting to see where this is going. Fundraisers are for work, right? That’s just apart of the game once you get to a certain level? Pretty sure Ari has already gone to a couple with Noah in the last few years.
Wait.
Ari has gone with Noah, herfiancé, to a fundraiser…
Paige tenses slightly. “I have school and when I’m not on campus, I’m at the local youth center giving lessons or making quick trips to Oceanside.”
I note how she isn’t just saying no, that she doesn’t want to go out with him.
Because that is what this is.
He’s asking her out. He said,I’d really like it if you came with me,notIt would be good experience for youorI think you’ll enjoy it.He’dlike it, he said.
She’ll be expected to wear a dress, and he’ll pick her up outside her dorm, probably with crazy expensive flowers that will just die a few days later anyway.
“That’s okay,” he reassures her, and a heavy breath I didn’t realize I was holding pushes past my lips.
Good. That’s done.
Damn, man, enough. Maybe it’s for the best if she goes with him. Then you can stop this foolish line of thinking.
