Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Nathan moves his hand away and rubs it against his own thigh for a moment.
We’re driving for twenty minutes before we pull up outside of a large building I don’t recognize. It looks to be like some kind of Chinese restaurant, very fancy and it definitely holds the typical Chinese restaurant theme.
He helps me out of the car and leads me through the doors, where we’re instantly led to a private table in a room that’s absolutely beautiful. There’s a fountain in the corner and the room is filled with plants and tiny trees I don’t know the name of. The table we’re seated at is only a foot off the ground. I guess we’re sitting on the padded floor then.
“This is great.” I smile and take in the scenery and sounds. “I didn’t even know this place existed.”
“Really? I’m surprised Caleb didn’t bring you. Before he met you, this was one of the first places we dined when we came to this area with our father. They do authentic Chinese food, none of the stuff you get at a regular takeout. It’s delicious.”
“Caleb didn’t like Chinese food as far as I’m aware.” I shrug a little. “We had it sometimes but all he’d eat was the chow mein. Although, if you say this isn’t that kind of food, it makes no sense that he wouldn’t bring me here.”
Nathan looks at me, his teeth worrying his lip. “He made friends with the staff a few years back. Maybe they had a fall out and he didn’t fancy a confrontation.”
Maybe. It’s just a restaurant; it’s not a big deal.
Still…
“I’ll let you order for me.” I give him control over my food for once, mostly because I don’t have a clue what’s on the menu. It’s all stuff I’ve never heard of.
He nods and presses a button on the corner of the table. Seconds later the door opens and in walks a very friendly woman with a notepad. Nathan orders quickly before waving her away. It’s barely a minute before she returns with our drinks. I’m glad to see they’re just glasses of water and fresh juice. If he’d ordered alcohol I wouldn’t be pleased. Now that I think of it, I’ve never seen Nathan drink. I don’t remember there being any alcohol in his house either.
“So,” I curl my legs beneath me and stare across at Nathan, who is sat with one leg beneath him and the other knee pointing at the ceiling. His arm is resting on the ground, keeping his torso lifted. I’ve never seen him so casual. Well, as casual as one can be in a suit. “What’s the occasion?” I motion to the room and give him a questioning look.
His words come instantly after mine finish. “I’m sorry.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry for… everything that happened before. You didn’t deserve the treatment I gave you.”
Okay, that’s shocking. I’m not entirely sure what to say. “I forgive you?”
“Are you asking me if you should forgive me?” He smiles; it’s mischievous and slightly alluring.
“No, I just wasn’t sure what to say.” My admission makes his smile falter. I look away and thumb at the mat beneath my legs, making the straw-like material fray slightly. “Do we talk about it?”
Out of the corner of my eye I see him tense. “I’d rather we didn’t.”
“Of course. But maybe we should.”
He tenses further. “If it’s about what you… what you saw, then don’t. I really…” He exhales a shuddering breath and closes his eyes for a moment. I can only imagine what he sees in the darkness of his mind. “So, this thing with you and Eric. I thought you said you weren’t dating anyone.”
Smooth change Nathan, I’m impressed. “Yes, I did say that.”
He quirks a brow at me, “And?”
“And he persuaded me to change my mind.” We both look away once more, almost as if saving each other from the emotions in our eyes. Mine are confusion and sorrow, two emotions I’ve felt quite regularly as of late.
“Persuaded you how?” His voice is barely a breath, his eyes watch the falling water not too far behind me.
“How do you think?” I snap, running my fingers through the roots of my hair.
The door opens, stopping him from responding. Trays of food in small dishes are placed before us. I’m relieved to see forks next to the chop sticks. I can’t figure out chopsticks at all.
“You were right, this is delicious.” I say around my first bite and groan a little. Nathan, who is now sat comfortably in front of his food, tucks in and nods his agreement. “It’s not as good as your food though. I’ve missed that. I guess I became used to having dinner waiting for me when I arrived home.”
I’m startled by his admission but I don’t say anything. It’s his fault he’s missed out on that. As much as I’d like to pardon the way he behaved, I still lay a little of the blame on him. He reacted out of fear and anger. I understand that, but he still behaved like a dickhead and I can’t so easily forget that. So I remain silent and continue eating.