Chapter 8 : Dinner for three

“ I think I should cancel”

“You better be joking”

Rahi’s voice responds from the other end of the screen.She’s muching on a red hot cheeto while she scrutinizes my outfit. She should be at work but works remotely as a cyber specialist which means she’s at home and can help me with my dilemma. I’d say I know a lot about her job but honestly, all I know is that she does cool stuff.

What I do know is, she also owns a clothing brand – Lekhi, and the dress I have on now is a custom piece she had gifted to me for my birthday. I had never gotten the chance to wear it but I had found it in my closet while I was searching for an outfit for tonight.

Saturday came by too fast.

I take in the sight of my room, internally groaning when I notice the pile of outfits on the bed. This would be such a hassle to clean. You’d think I was going for the met gala or something.

“Okay maybe lose the layered necklace, go for something simple. Emerald pendant?” Rahi’s voice brings my attention back to the situation at hand and I try to brush of the undercurrent of nervous energy I feel.

I take in my reflection in the mirror, the red dress stops just slightly below my thighs and has a lovely low cut in the front, the open back makes it look extra elegant and the way the material drapes across my body makes my curves a bit more obvious.

“It’s literally dinner with friends. I’m dressed like I’m going on a date” I fiddle with the clasp of the layered necklace , it unhooks I place it in my jewelry box.

“Isn’t it?” Rahi teases.

I freeze temporarily. There’s no way she knows. It’s a harmless joke.

I force my fingers to pick up the necklace with the emerald pendant-a gift from Lance, and clasp it around my neck.

“No, it’s not” I respond lightheartedly. “It’s just Damien and Parker.”

My chest constrict just saying their names.

“Oh yes, since it’s just them , you should totally wear a sweater and jeans”

“Really?” I look at her for confirmation and she furrows her brows.

“No, no, obviously not” she shakes her head. “Santo’s made you soft girl. We literally used to dress up just to go to the mall”

The memories flash through my mind.

“Christ we were such kids” I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. “Full face of makeup and all”

“No,” Rahi quickly objects. “We were having fun, full face of make up and all”

“Okay, okay, okay”

My eyes glance over to the clock on the other end of my room and it reads 6: 55.

When I had calmed down after receiving the text, I had sent the most casual Sure, lets text that I could possibly think of. He had responded almost immediately with details about the dinner.

Since we both lived in the same building, he’d come pick me up and we’d both meet Damien at the restaurant, so I was expecting him any minute.

“Aren’t you late? “ Rahi reminds me. “Isn’t the dinner meant to start by 7?”

I shake my head trying to calm my nerves. “He isn’t here yet, so I have time” I take a final look at myself. “Red lipstick?”

“Oh absolutely”

I pick up the red tube on my dresser and apply it to my already lined lips. I fluff my hair and the black waves stop slightly below my shoulders.

“You look so good. I could eat you up” Rahi nods, probably feeling extremely proud of herself.

I laugh. “All thanks to you of course”

Her lips curl into a smile “And honestly have fun Lex. You guys are the best trio to exist”

The nerves I had been trying to ignore come rushing to the surface. It had been so long though. What if it was awkward, all three of us together again.

“We haven’t spoken in 5 years” I hope my voice doesn’t give out how worried I am but if it does she makes no comment on it.

After I left them, I want to add but can’t.

“And of course it’s bound to be a little awkward, but that’s what the dinners are for, you guys get to catch up over good food and amazing wine” she sighs. “I wish I could go out for a cute dinner”

I roll my eyes and fight a laugh. “I literally saw you and Salem’s post yesterday. You were at a cute dinner”

She shakes her head. “That was yesterday, today is today”

The intercom buzzes and I feel my heart skip.

“Looks like he’s here” I tell her, grabbing my purse from the table. I pick up my phone and make my way to the door.

“Tell them I said hi, and tell Parker, he should visit more” she waves.

“Why would I tell him that?” I laugh. “You have his number Rahi”

She shrugs. “Everyone knows he only listens to you. Always has”

My knots in my stomach clench a little more as I approach the door. I don’t think she realizes how her words are technically not helping.

“I’ll text you later?”

She nods. “Bye girl!”

The facetime ends and I take in a deep breath.

I had only one agenda tonight.

Tonight will go well.

We’d have dinner, drinks, talk and everything would go back to normal. We’d be the ‘trio’ again and we could put that night past us.

My phone pings and Parker's name flashes on the screen. I let out the breath and twist the door handle open.

Here we go.

The door opens and Parker stands at the doorway in all his glory. I think it’s absolutely unfair that he gets to age this way. His suit looks tailored to his body and fits him like perfection,my eyes can’t help but run over his gelled hair, and the scruff in his jaw that looks a lot more attractive to me than it does on any one.

There’s only a few men I would compliment off the bat and Parker Blackwell is so hot it’s unfair to the human race.

He puts his phone in an inner suit pocket and brings his attention to me. His eyes start at my feet, and trail their way up, stopping briefly at the swell of my cleavage, they finally make their way to my face and I lock eyes with piercing blue ones.

“Hi” It comes out on an exhale, definitely not how I intended for it to.

I see the muscle in his jaw tick, and I feel my insides flush warm.

Dating Parker in college was one of those things that helped sometimes, I could recognize his tells too easily.

“Lexi” his voice is gruff. His eyes trail to my lips, then back at me. He lets out a mirthless laugh. “Red lipstick?”

I peer through my lashes, and tilt my head feigning ignorance. “What do you mean?” I point to my dress. “It goes with my dress”

A smile grazes my lips as he shakes his head, he extends his hand and I let him lead me towards the elevator. The door opens and we make our way inside.

“Dinner by 7?” I scoff with a laugh. “Did you have to reschedule?”

His eyes don’t leave mine when he speaks. “Now why on earth would I do that?”

I shrug, feeling my skin begin to heat slightly. “Reservations are made for a reason no?”

The elevator dings and the doors open, to the reception of the complex. Hunter pulls me closer and places his hand on the small of my back as we make our way out of the building. The conceirge at the door straightens when he sees us approaching, although I’m certain it has everything to do with Hunter and not me.

“I figured you wouldn’t be ready by 7” He finally responds. “And rescheduling wouldn’t matter, they’d serve me whatever time I arrive”

A man opens the door to the sleek black Range Rover parked outside and I smile before getting in the back seat. Another person opens the other door and Parker takes the seat beside me.

“You bought it?”

He nods. “It’s a partnership. Damien and I”

My chest swells with pride. Of course they own the restaurant we’re having dinner at. What couldn’t they do? And speaking of Damien.

“Still, I hope this isn’t going to inconvenience your schedules though. I know I take a while to get ready but–”

I trail off when I see the smirk that lingers on his lips as he watches me about to ramble.

“What?”

He shakes his head and stares into my eyes. “I think tonight’s going to be the most fun I’ve had in a while”.

His voice hold a promise, and the look in his eyes don’t do much to calm my nerves but I’m here and the only thing I’m almost certain of is that the night is still young.