Chapter 201: Invitation

The restaurant is modern and stylish. It occupies the top floor of a skyscraper, and floor to ceiling windows give diners birds-eye views of the city below. The circular room slowly rotates, allowing diners to enjoy the sights of the glowing business district, the twinkling residential zones, and the silvery river snaking through it all. Tables are typically reserved years in advance.

Evan sits across a table from Leonie, fighting the urge to yawn. He followed Robert's advice and invited her to dinner, but he's already regretting it. She's been chattering nonstop since they arrived at the restaurant and he can't remember the last time he felt so bored. He checks his watch again—not even a minute has passed since the last time he checked—and he taps the glass to see if the watch it broke.

"Evan, do you find this topic boring?" Leonie asks.

"I prefer to enjoy my meals quietly," Evan says.

"Usually I'm very quiet," Leonie says, beaming, "But today I'm too happy. Thank you again for inviting me."

"Please, behave as usual then," Evan says with a scowl. "When you finish your dinner, my driver will take you home."

In spite of the stunning views and Michelin starred food, Evan finds himself wishing he was in the hospital with Avery. Hell, I'd even eat the horrid food they serve in the hospital cafeteria if it meant I could eat with her, he thinks.

Robert coughs quietly, and Evan turns to look at him. The butler raises his eyebrows reproachfully, and Evan sighs. He knows he should be nicer to Leonie, but her chattering is so unbearable. He checks his watch yet again.

"Evan, do you have somewhere you need to be?" Leonie asks.

"I just wish you'd eat a little faster," Evan says.

"Mr. Howel is concerned for you, Miss Summers," Robert says politely. "He's worried you're not eating enough."

Robert's phone rings and he rushes away from the table to answer it. Evan smiles at Leonie and takes a long sip of wine.

"Do you like kids?" Leonie asks him nervously.

"No," he says.

"Oh, no?" Leonie says slyly, "I thought you were really concerned about the child Avery's carrying. You know I heard your grandmother saying that your grandfather is furious because you've been risking your life for Avery. I assumed it was just because you wanted to protect the child." 

Evan frowns. Though Leonie acts flighty, she knows a lot more than she lets on. "Your point?" he asks.

"Well, of course, your grandfather is angry at her," Leonie says. "And your grandmother says that she's just a means to an end. Everyone knows that as soon as she gives birth, you'll cast her aside."

Evan grips the wine glass so tightly his knuckles turn white. Before he can respond, Robert rushes over to the table.

"That was the hospital," Robert whispers. "They say Avery has escaped, and they seem to think she's headed here."

"That woman can escape from anywhere," Evan says, fighting a smile. "I'm starting to think she'd find a way out of prison."

"Would you like me to send a team to take her back to the hospital?" Robert asks.

"No need," Evan says. "Have the waiters add another place to our table."

"What—who's joining us?" Leonie asks. "Is it Avery? Isn't she in the hospital?"

Evan ignores her and cranes his neck to stare at the entrance. Soon Avery appears in a shimmer of indigo silk. The low cut neckline reveals ample, pale cleavage, and the thin skirt flutters and clings to her legs. Evan feels his heart thud in his chest.

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He watches the waiter greeted her politely. The man lowers his head but sneaks peek at her cleavage until his ears begin to redden. Jealously, Evan glances around the room and sees that almost every man has stopped to stare at Avery. Their girlfriends and wives scowl sourly. Robert rushes over to Avery.

The entire restaurant seems to have fallen under a spell. The clink of silverware dies down, and the conversation stops. Though Avery is all the way across the room, Evan could hear her quite clearly.

"Mrs. Howel, why did you leave the hospital?" Robert asks.

"It's none of your business," Avery says.

"My apologies," Robert says, "I was merely expressing concern for your health." He gestures toward Evan's table, "Follow me, please."

She glances at the table, and her eyes flash. Evan silently curses Robert, his grandfather, and Leonie for putting him in this position. He wants to rush over to her and explain everything, but pride and concern for her safety keep him in place.

Avery raises her chin defiantly. "I want Mr. Howel to invite me in person," she says.

"Mrs. Howel, I assure you that I represent Mr. Howel, and I'm acting on his orders," Robert says formally.

"If my husband wants me to join him for dinner, I won't refuse," Avery says. "But I expect him to show me the respect I deserve. If he wants me to eat with him, he can ask me himself. Otherwise, I'll dine alone."

Evan smirks and crosses the room in long strides. He wraps his arms around her delicate waist and glares at the other men in the room. He wants them to take their greedy eyes off her. He wants them to understand that she's all his. He brushes his lips across the top of her head, enjoying the silky warmth of her hair.

"Have you eaten yet?" he asks.

"A little," she answers.

"Join me for some more," Evan says. "I'll have Robert take you back to the hospital after dinner."

Avery smiles warmly, and Evan feels his heart beat faster.

"I could eat a little more, but three's a crowd," she says, glancing at Leonie.

"I thought you wanted to join us," Evan murmurs.

"Evan, I'm not going to settle for second place," she says. "You're dining with another woman, and you sent your butler to invite me to join you. You only came in person when I insisted. I can take a hint, and I can certainly tell when I'm not wanted."

Is she not wanted? Evan thinks. How in the world could this woman ever believe she's not wanted? Didn't she see the way every man in this restaurant looked at her? Can't she tell what she does to me? How I react to the warmth of her skin and the smell of her hair?

"Just stop it already," he says aloud.

"I've got a separate reservation," she says with a meaningful nod at the waiter.

The waiter rushes over and leads her to an empty table by the window. The sea of lights glimmers below and the sign from the Zuri Hotel flashes in the distance. She sits at the table without looking at the view as if she's already familiar with it all.

Evan watches jealousy, wondering why the waiter seems to know her. He thinks, Has she been here with anyone else? Was it romantic? Does she know what happens in this restaurant after midnight?

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