Page 118 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Iris adds, “I’m fine,” in an attempt to defuse things.
“Yeah, well, I’m not,” I say, even though I know my temper isn’t helping.
“Call me and I’ll have the dress replaced,” Ryder says, offering Iris a card.
I knock it away. “Fuck off.”
“Anthony—”
“You’re so transparent, it’s sick.” Unbelievable that he thinks I’m going to let him near Iris after what he did to Lauren. Does he think I’m still that gullible and stupid? Does he think I give a damn that he’s married now? Loyalty and friendship mean nothing to a man like him.
Audrey reaches out a beseeching hand. “Tony, stop! You’re making a mistake!” Overacting as usual.
“You don’t get to Tony me. You were dead to me the moment you pulled that ‘attempted suicide’ stunt. Maybe it’s some kind of Hollywood disease that makes you people think anyone gives a damn about your theatric bullshit. But no one does.” I look her dead in the eye. “Stick to your fake life in front of the cameras. You do it better than the real version.”
Audrey goes pale.
Iris puts a hand on my sleeve. “Can we go? I…kind of need to shower and change.”
She does need to be looked after.I pull myself together. “Of course,” I say gently. I put an arm around her shoulders and turn to the maître d’, who has appeared and is hovering nervously. “Our check.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Ryder says.
Asshole.“I’m not taking anything from you.”
“Payment won’t be necessary,” maître d’ says, a small tremor in his voice. “Your meals tonight are on the house, Mr. Blackwood.”
I escort Iris out. Tension is thick inside the Cullinan as it moves through the heavy L.A. traffic. TJ notices Ivy’s appearance, but wisely says nothing.
I can’t believe I didn’t rent out the entire restaurant.That would’ve prevented the travesty. Show Iris what I have to give, huh? And what the hell did she see? A screw-loose ex and a former best friend who had no problem fucking one of my girlfriends.
Welcome to the shit-show that is my life, Iris. If you want to leave…
But I can’t continue the thought. Selfishly enough, I don’t want her to leave.
“It’s ruined,” Iris says, gesturing at her dress and my handkerchief. “Even if you don’t like Ryder, you could’ve at least demanded Audrey replace it,” she says in a feeble attempt at levity.
I don’t deserve her. “Sorry your celebratory dinner got ruined.”
She squeezes my hand. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it is. Audrey is my problem.”
“She’s a person, Tony. You couldn’t have known. You can’t control her.”
Iris has no idea how much her words mean right now. I pull her close.
“You’re going to get stains on your clothes.”
“I don’t care. I just want to feel you.” I exert gentle pressure around her shoulder until she’s pressed tightly against me. She rests her head on my chest. The weight is comforting. It tells me she’s here. With me.
The Cullinan pulls up in front of my building. “Where are we?” she asks.
“My place.” I kiss her forehead. “It’s closer, but if you want to go to your place, that’s fine.”
She pulls back and peers at the tall, gleaming structure. I wait, agonizing over which she’ll choose. If the dinner had gone as I’d hoped, I might not have brought her here because it might feel like too much, too fast. But with the botched evening, I want to show her I’m not totally messed up.
She has an odd look in her eyes. “I’ve been to other guys’ homes before, but this feels like more,” she says softly. “Like some new…hierarchy of intimacy.”
“It is. I’ve never brought a woman here before.”
Her gaze turns tender as her hand wraps around mine. Then, tugging at me, she climbs out of the car.
