Page 12 of Dark Temptations

It made Ariana snort and reach for her menu. Her friends did enjoy bickering with each other. “Did the waitress tell you the specials tonight?”

“Salmon with asparagus, Filet mignon, or a noodle dish with chicken.”

“God, they all sound good,” Ariana said. “Would it make me look bad if I ordered all three?”

Macy laughed. “It would make you look like a fanatical glutton. So yes.”

“Fine.”

“Here you go, Miss. Your server will be right with you,” the hostess said.

“Thank you.”

Within five minutes, the waitress came to take their orders. They decided to get all three specials and share them with each other. Most high-society women she’d grown up with would never think of doing that because it wasn’t civilized, but then the women only ate salads so they could stay skinny, so what’s the point?

Ariana was chewing on her salmon and turned her head when a table erupted with laughter.

“They’re having fun,” Kelly said.

Ariana chuckled and turned back. Her gaze jerked to a stop when her eyes fell on Xavier. He was sitting against the window with three men and staring at her.

Oh, damn. She’d been able to forget him for minutes at a time, and now she was back to square one. She turned away and grabbed onto her wineglass. She was surprised when her hand shook so much.

“Ariana, what’s wrong?” Macy asked.

Ariana shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Bull. You went white and started shaking,” Kelly said.

“It’s a person I met that I never thought I’d see again.”

Her friends looked around the room.

“Where?” Macy asked.

“No, don’t. I don’t want him to know we’re talking about him.”

Kelly patted her hand. “I’m not sure why you haven’t told us about him, but we’ll want answers, girl.”

“I know, just not now.”

Macy scowled. “Fine. Let’s finish eating.”

Ariana nodded. It took all her strength not to look over at his table. She could feel the heat of his gaze stay on her as she talked with her friends.

At one point, her stomach started to cramp because of her anxiety, so she set down her fork and sipped at her water.

When she couldn’t take being in his sight one more moment, she stood. “I have to use the ladies’ room.”

“Are you okay?” Macy asked.

Ariana smiled and hoped she pulled it off. “I’m fine. I’ll be right back.”

Ariana turned her back on Xavier’s table and walked toward the front of the room where the restrooms were.

A sigh escaped when the door closed behind her. Peace, quiet, and no prying eyes—exactly what she needed. She used the toilet and washed her hands. The fancy towels were off to the side, so she picked one up and dried her hands as she looked into the mirror.

She smiled when the door opened, but it quickly fell when Xavier walked through and stood behind her.

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