“Think this is too much for a casual get-to-know-each-other-again dinner?” Rayne asked.
“Yes,” Carol and Savannah said at the same time.
Rayne grinned. “Good. I was going for a little bit of an ‘eat your heart out’ vibe.”
“You go, girl!” Carol said.
“I feel like such a grown-up,” Rayne said.
“Just please be careful,” Savannah said. “And text me immediately if anything goes wrong.”
“Or right,” Carol said with a wink, and Savannah frowned.
“Text me when you get home,” Savannah said.
Rayne’s phone beeped, and she glanced at it, thinking it was Brandon. But the message was from Chase. She stared at it for a moment then held her phone out for Savannah and Carol to see.
missU siick.
“What’s that about?” Savannah asked.
“It’s like those spam emails you get when someone’s hijacked a friend’s account,” Carol said.
“He sent me one the night of the gala,” Rayne said. “His messages are usually much more legible.”
“Is he saying he’s sick or he’s missing you siiiiicccckkk?” Savannah said. “You know, like slang for good?”
“Missing me good?” Rayne said.
“Maybe Carol’s right and someone else is texting you from his account. Like a teenager.”
Rayne set the phone to vibrate. “He can text all he wants. I have a dinner date.”
Chapter 18
Half an hour later, Rayne stepped inside the restaurant and took a moment to get her bearings. The walls were of exposed old bricks, thick beams ran along the ceiling, and the wooden flooring was worn in a way that spoke of decades of activity. A couple of sofas sat along the walls, and stuffed armchairs were grouped around small tables. She walked over to the hostess stand and was surprised, and flustered, to see Chase’s sister Jessica.
“I didn’t know you worked here,” Rayne said.
Jessica smiled, looking professional in her black skirt and white blouse. “My dad just opened this place a few weeks ago, so I’m helping out until he can get a permanent manager. Mom says he’s been trying to con Chase into taking over, but that’s a losing battle if I ever saw one.”
Rayne smiled but didn’t trust her voice to speak. Clearly, Jessica didn’t know about her and Chase. For once, she was grateful for secrecy.
“You did an awesome job with the gala the other night,” Jessica said, then looked at Rayne like she was just noticing how she was dressed. “Oh, crap, here I am rattling on and you must be here for a date—right?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I’m meeting a man, Brandon Wallace? I’m pretty sure he made a reservation.”
Jessica stared at her for a moment. “I’m being way unprofessional here, but wow. I seated him about fifteen minutes ago. He’s pretty hot for an older guy.”
Rayne was blushing and suddenly hoping that Jessica would tell Chase about her date, whenever he got back from Nepal.
And then she reminded herself that tonight wasn’t about Chase.
Jessica put her smooth, professional smile back in place. “Let me show you to your table,” she said.
She led Rayne into the dining room, which was small but cozy with iron chandeliers and more brick. Brandon was at a table next to a fireplace that was soot-stained from years, maybe centuries of use. He stood when he saw her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Jessica said, “Your waitress will be right with you.”
Rayne sat down across from Brandon, and he immediately reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad you came. You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she said. “You look pretty good yourself.”
He was wearing dress pants and an expensive-looking shirt, unbuttoned at the throat. His hair was neatly trimmed, and he was freshly shaven. She thought he looked a little nervous. She liked that. It meant he cared how the evening went, and he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
The waitress stopped by and they ordered crab-stuffed sole and a bottle of chardonnay. When she left, Brandon said, “I got the final fundraising numbers from Jeremy. I just need to transfer some money, and we should be all set.”
Rayne smiled, grateful to have work to talk about. She was feeling nervous, too. She asked about his business, and they were soon chatting like old friends.
An hour later, she was feeling tipsy and very relaxed. The date had gone better than she’d hoped. Brandon was still a little intense, but he had slowly relaxed, too. He had been funny and thoughtful and interested in what she had to say. This could work, she thought.
They ordered crème brûlée and coffee, and as they waited for their dessert, Brandon said, “I figured I might be out late tonight so I reserved a room at the Hyatt, just in case I don’t feel like driving all the way back to Annapolis.” He took a sip of his wine. “They still do a fantastic breakfast buffet.”
Rayne’s heart jumped a little. They’d gone there a few times when they’d had their fling. She remembered the brunch well, mostly because they’d usually eaten it in bed, naked. She could almost taste the ripe strawberries and his fingers as he placed one in her mouth—
“Really?” she said.
He slid his foot toward her under the table and pressed his calf against hers. Then he reached across the table, turned over her hand, and traced a finger lightly across her palm and up her wrist, a sensation that always set her off—and he knew it.
“Stay with me tonight,” he said.
She bit her lip to stop a little moan of pleasure from escaping. He leaned forward and lifted her hand to kiss her palm and then froze, his eyes on something behind her.
“Shit,” he said under his breath and let go of her hand.
Rayne twisted around in her chair thinking maybe Jeremy was there. Who else would he care about seeing them together? Instead, she saw a woman talking to Jessica—a stunning woman wearing a black blazer over a low-cut lacy white top, skin-tight jeans, and high heels.
“I never imagined that she’d come here. She’s supposed to be in Annapolis.”
Suddenly Rayne didn’t need to ask who “she” was.
“Your wife is here?” she said.
Brandon nodded, still watching Yvonne and not looking at Rayne, who felt a coldness seeping into her bones. And a searing anger.
“What difference does it make?” she asked. “You’ve split up.”
But the look on Brandon’s face told her that things were far from over between him and Yvonne.
“Let’s go,” he said, tossing his napkin on the table.
“We haven’t had our dessert,” Rayne protested, though that wasn’t the real reason she wanted to stay put.
But he wasn’t listening to her. “I’ll pay the bill on the way out. With any luck, she won’t even see us.”
“Brandon, this is silly.”
He started to stand up but then sank back in his chair. “It’s too late.”
Rayne looked up just as Yvonne broke away from Jessica to walk over to their table.
“Brandon,” she said. “I didn’t think this was your kind of place.”
“Yvonne,” he said, gazing up at her.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your date?” Yvonne said.
“Oh, Rayne is just a colleague. She put on a very successful fundraiser at CACC, and we were having a congratulatory dinner.”
Rayne stared at him in open-mouthed surprise. Beyond being an out-and-out lie, his answer had been too smooth, almost rehearsed.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Yvonne said. “She looks a little young even for you, Brandon.”
Rayne’s face flushed red hot and she was about to ask what Yvonne meant by that when the waitress walked o
ver with their dessert and coffee.
Yvonne said, “I’ll leave you two to enjoy the rest of your meal. It was a pleasure meeting you, Rayne.”
Then she sashayed off to rejoin Jessica, who was looking at Rayne with a sympathetic expression that said she had a pretty good idea of what was going on. Brandon watched Yvonne go, and Rayne felt pure, hot rage boiling up. For once, she didn’t tell herself not to over-react. For once, she intended to say exactly what was in her head.
“Why did you lie and tell her this wasn’t a date?” Rayne demanded.
Brandon’s head swiveled toward her. “Trust me, it’s better this way.”
She put her napkin on the table. “I think I’ll just go set her straight, tell her that we’re headed to the Hyatt for the night.”
He grabbed her hand to stop her then immediately let go and glanced across the room to Yvonne’s table.
“You are pathetic,” Rayne said.
He leaned toward her, keeping his voice low. “I didn’t want her to know I was seeing someone. Not until we settle on how to divide our finances and the house, and I’ve got my business to think of.”
“I don’t think you’re in a hurry to do any of that,” Rayne said. “I can’t believe what an idiot I’ve been.”
“Please keep your voice down,” Brandon said. Their coffee and dessert sat untouched on the table, but he got to his feet. “Let’s just go. We can talk about this at the hotel.”
She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that made him glance yet again in Yvonne’s direction. His wife wasn’t paying attention, but a few of the other diners looked over at them.
“Please don’t make a scene,” Brandon said.
Rayne was feeling distinctly in the mood to make a scene for the first time in her life, but she saw Jessica watching them from the hostess stand and decided she didn’t need this to get back to Chase. Besides, she could just as easily have it out with Brandon on the sidewalk.
She slowly got to her feet and followed him out of the dining area. While he paid the bill at the bar, Jessica mouthed You OK? Rayne nodded and flashed her best fake smile. Then Brandon took her by the elbow and steered her outside.
She shook free of him as soon as they were on the sidewalk. A cluster of people stood right in front of the restaurant so she walked on a little ways. Brandon kept pace with her, and when she moved toward the curb to hail a cab, he caught her by the wrist and spun her toward him. She lost her balance and fell against his chest.
He instantly put his arms around her. “That’s better,” he said, smiling and pressing her against him. “I’m sorry I had to lie back there. Things with Yvonne are complicated, and they probably will be for a long time. But that doesn’t mean you and I can’t have some fun together.”
Rayne twisted free of his grip and stepped back a pace. A look of surprise crossed his face, quickly followed by irritation.
“What did she mean when she said I was too young even for you?” she asked. “You said I was the only one.”
He sighed. “She was just trying to upset you.” He moved toward her, and she backed away again.
“Why did Yvonne leave you?” she demanded.
“Rayne—”
“Just tell me!”
“Lower your voice,” Brandon said, looking over his shoulder at the people standing in front of the restaurant. “OK, fine. There was a girl at the office. It was over before it even started. But Yvonne found out.”
“So you lied about that, too. Have you ever said one true thing to me?”
“I was telling the truth when I said you look beautiful tonight. And I want to take you back to the Hyatt.” He closed the distance between them and trailed his fingers up her arm until they came to rest on her collarbone. He toyed with her necklace. “I’ve been dying to get my hands on you since I saw you at the gala last week.”
The way he had pivoted from her to Yvonne and back again made her realize that he didn’t want to be with her necessarily, he just didn’t want to be alone, and Rayne happened to be handy. And easily seduced.
“What about Yvonne?” she said.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t think she’d be into a threesome, but I appreciate the thought,” he joked.
She pushed him away. “You can keep your disgusting fantasies to yourself. I’m going home.”
He reached for her arm, but she sidestepped out of his reach.
“If Yvonne walked out that door right now and said she wanted you to take her home, what would you do?” Rayne asked.
“That’s not fair,” he said. “For one thing, she isn’t about to do that—”
“You can’t have both of us,” Rayne said. “It doesn’t work that way, at least not for long. It didn’t go so well the last time you tried.”
“You’re the one who broke it off.”
“Because you’re married!”
“Jesus, Rayne, what’s gotten into you?”
“I’m suddenly seeing things crystal clear. You aren’t interested in having a relationship with me. You just want someone to kill time with until you can figure out how to get Yvonne back.”
“It’s not like that,” he said. “I do like you. I want to be with you.”
“Just not out in the open,” she said. “Why the Hyatt? Why not your house in Annapolis?”
“I can’t take you there. Not yet.”
“Then when?”
“I don’t know! What difference does it make? The Hyatt is much nicer anyway.”
“That’s what cheaters do. They go to a hotel instead of their home.”
A taxi came around the corner, and she stepped out into the street to hail it, prepared to stand in front of it if she had to. The driver swung over to the curb, and as she pulled the door open, she looked back at Brandon.
“You don’t deserve either of us.”
Then she got in the cab and slammed the door, and when the car drove off, she didn’t even look back.
When Rayne got home, she was shaking with rage. She kicked off her shoes and carried them up the stairs, texting Savannah as she went. Date was a disaster. Home now.
Savannah texted back immediately: I’m on my way.
No, stay where you are. I’m fine.
Rayne reached her bedroom and tossed her shoes in the closet and took off her dress. She’d have to get it dry cleaned. She didn’t want a trace of Brandon’s aftershave in her closet.
Savannah texted back: Brunch @Zipped tomorrow?? 10:00?
You’re on! Rayne texted as she walked to the bathroom.
I could be there in 30...
Love you! But I’m good. Going to take a hot bath and go to bed. See you tomorrow.
The next morning, Savannah was already seated at a window table at Zipped when Rayne got there. After a quick hug, Savannah said, “Colin is bringing us mimosas.”
Just then, Colin walked over with the drinks. “Hey, Rayne,” he said. “You doing OK?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said with a smile. She took a sip of the drink, and the fizziness perked her up. “Good call on the mimosas.”
When she’d woken up that morning, her feeling of elation at having told Brandon off had evaporated, and she felt tired and sad and lonely. She’d been thinking about Chase more than she wanted to, and she had a sudden urge to get out of town.
She and Savannah walked over to the buffet and loaded their plates with Belgian waffles and scrambled eggs and fresh donuts. Rayne added a couple slices of cantaloupe to keep her conscience clean. When they got back to the table and started eating, Savannah said, “So do you want to talk about it?”
Rayne sopped up maple syrup with a chunk of waffle. “Not much to tell,” she said. “We had a nice dinner, he asked me to go back to his hotel, and then his wife s
howed up.”
Savannah dropped her fork with a clatter. “Are you kidding me?”
Rayne shook her head as she ate the syrup-saturated chunk of waffle. “He lied and told her we weren’t on a date. Turns out she left him because she found out he was messing around with a younger woman at the office.”
“What did you do?” Savannah asked.
“I told him I knew he didn’t want me, he just didn’t want to be alone, and then I got a cab out of there.”
“Oh, Rayney, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s OK, really.” She broke off a piece of donut. “He’s totally out of my system now. I just wish Jessica hadn’t been there.”
Savannah gave her a puzzled look. “Colin’s sister?”
“She works at the restaurant. Apparently it’s a new Allison Inc. joint. I would have been fine with her telling Chase I had a date with a hot older guy, but she saw the interaction with Yvonne and she knows things were frosty between Brandon and me when we left.”
“I’m sure she’d lie to Chase if you asked her to,” Savannah said with a smile.
“She didn’t even know Chase and me were a thing, and I’d rather not tell her.”
Savannah nodded. “So you’re still thinking about him?” she asked quietly.
Rayne crumpled up the piece of donut in her fingers and dropped the crumbs onto the plate. “Maybe. Yes. More than I probably should.”
“He really got inside your head, huh?” Savannah said as she picked at the sprinkles on her own donut.
“Head. Heart. Whatever.” Rayne took a long drink of her mimosa.
“Heart?”
“Yeah, even though he’s a player who can’t stick with one woman for more than a week. Even though I knew all that going in.” Rayne played with the stem of her glass. “Before he took off, it felt…different. It felt real. He said he wanted a relationship, and I believed him. And I started to fall for him.”
The Pursuit (Capitol Love Series Book 2) Page 17
