CHAPTER 16: A TOAST TO RIVALS

NOAH'S POV

The ambiance inside L’Éclipse was exactly what my father paid for… stifling, over-priced, and exclusive.

The Michelin-star restaurant was lit by low, amber crystal chandeliers, the tables draped in white tablecloths. Only old money sat here. It was a place where people whispered their insults and smiled while cutting into fifty-dollar bland steaks.

Ariana sat across from me, looking every bit the perfect high-society ballerina. She wore a bright red silk dress, and just sat there scrolling through her phone with a bored expression.

“They're late,” She murmured, not looking up. “How typical of that Poverty-stricken University.”

“Relax, Ariana,” I said smoothly, lifting my glass of mineral water. “They have five minutes.” How I was able to convince her to come to this date, or how she had willingly agreed to come was still nagging at the back of my mind.

Right on cue, the doors opened. The host led Calix and Isla toward our private corner booth.

Calix looked stiff, wearing the high-collared black button-down shirt I knew he’d choose. He had fastened every single button to the top, hiding the purple territory I had stamped into his neck.

Beside him, Isla was wearing a pretty green cocktail dress that was clearly expensive for her, but still a far cry from the designer labels Ariana wore.

She was smiling, but her eyes were wide, overwhelmed by the luxury of the room.

I immediately stood up, flashing a dazzling smile as I played the part of the Elite gentleman to perfection.

“Isla, right? It's a pleasure to finally meet you,” I said, my voice dripping with charm. I stepped around the table and gracefully pulled out her chair for her. “Calix has told me so much about you.”

Isla’s cheeks flushed a bright pink as she sat down. “Oh, thank you, Noah! Wow, this place is so beautiful. Thank you so much for inviting us.”

“Only the best for the captain of our rival team and his lovely guest.” I replied, sliding back into my seat beside Ariana.

I raised a hand to catch the waiter's eye. “Let's start with a bottle of the Dom Pérignon '08, please. A celebration for Northcott's newest couple.”

Calix sat down across from me, his eyes locked onto his empty plate. His jaw was clenched so tightly I could see the muscle ticking in his cheek. He looked so uncomfortable.

Ariana let out a soft laugh, setting her phone down. Her eyes traveled slowly down Isla’s dress, her painted lips curving into a passive-aggressive smile. “It really is a cute restaurant, isn't it? Though I must say, Isla, you're very brave for wearing that shade of green. It’s so... old-fashion. Very typical of the local boutiques near Northcott. Down here in the Kensington district, we usually prefer actual designer labels.”

Isla’s smile faltered for a second, her hand subconsciously reaching up to touch her skirt. “Oh. I actually got it online for—”

“I think the green looks fantastic, Isla,” I interrupted smoothly, cutting Ariana off calmly before turning a warm, protective smile back to my baby boy's girlfriend. “Don't mind my fiancée. She thinks if a dress doesn't come directly from a runway in Paris, it doesn't exist. Don't take it too seriously. You look elegant tonight, Isla.”

Isla’s eyes lit up, dazzled by my compliments. Exactly how I wanted it. “Thank you, Noah. That's really nice of you to say.”

Beside her, Calix didn't say a single word. He just grabbed his water glass, his eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

Inside my head, a wicked monster was laughing hysterically. By acting like the perfect, charming savior, I was blowing Calix out of the water. To Isla, her boyfriend just looked like an inadequate, moody athlete who couldn't even defend her, while I looked like royalty.

Bwahahaha!

Ariana scoffed softly, leaning back in her chair. She swirled her empty wine glass, her eyes darting between Isla’s naive face and Calix’s stiff posture. But, barely a minute later, she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, staring directly at Isla with a malicious look in her eyes.

“So, Isla,” Ariana began, her voice dripping with fake curiosity. “How exactly did you and Calix meet? I’ve always wondered how girls handle dating someone like him. I mean, he’s a hockey player just like Noah. They’re known for... well, taking a lot of things to the face… and mouth.”

Isla blinked, looking a bit confused. “Oh, we’ve known each other for a long time, but just as school mates. And Calix is really careful on the ice, he doesn't get hurt much.”

Ariana chuckled dryly, her eyes shifting over to glare directly into Calix’s pale face. “Oh, I didn't mean injuries, sweetie. I just mean... Well, Calix has such a reputation for being a real cock sucker on and off the field. He really knows how to take a man down on his knees, right? I always wonder how a girlfriend handles a guy who works so well with his mouth. I bet he keeps a lot of dirty secrets behind his teeth.”

The air at the table instantly turned to ice.

Isla’s jaw dropped slightly, her brow furrowing in deep, innocent confusion. “I... I'm sorry? What do you mean by that?”

Calix froze entirely. He stopped breathing, his eyes snapping up to look at Ariana with a flash of terror and anger at the same time.

Meanwhile, Ariana just took a slow sip of her wine, enjoying the panic radiating off Calix’s body.

I knew there was a reason why she easily agreed to this date, knowing what me and Calix had been up to before.

And why the hell did I even think it was a good idea to have this date? Stupid!

Ariana opened her mouth to dig the knife in even deeper. “Well, you see, Isla, some boys just look straight, but behind closed doors, they're actually—”

Underneath the table, I grabbed Ariana’s thigh lightly like a warning, as I glared at her from the side of my eyes. “Just stop.” My eyes screamed at her.

Ariana gasped slightly, shooting me a furious look, her chest heaving with silent anger or whatever. For a second, I thought she was going to throw her wine right in my face. But she knew better than to ruin a Kensington public appearance.

She angrily eyed me, shifted her leg away from my grip under the table, and looked away, finally shutting her big mouth.

“Anyway,” Ariana muttered… again! Jeez, I thought she was finally going to be quiet.

Her voice was tight as she forced a change of subject. “The charity gala next weekend is going to be spectacular. Noah's father is donating a million dollars.”

“Oh, wow,” Isla said, letting out a small, relieved breath. I could tell she was still confused by the weird wording about Calix, but the mention of high-society charity quickly distracted her.

I leaned back in the booth, my eyes slid away from the girls and fixed only on Calix, and my gaze drifted down to his throat.

Because of the high black collar, I couldn't see my lovely bruises on him, but every single time he swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down against the stiffness of his shirt.

He was sweating, and breathing too hard that I could hear it from where I was.

I continued to stare at his moving throat, my mind drifting away from the dinner table, and all I could think about was the helpless way he had melted under me in the library.

I wanted to reach across the table right now, rip that collar down, and show his little girlfriend exactly whose teeth had been marking his skin.