The Billionaire’s Sudden Bride
Chapter 265
Summer’s POV
I could see the flicker of desire in Brandon’s eyes as he leaned toward me, his gaze dropping to my lips. My heart raced, but the reality of our situation crashed through the momentary haze of attraction.
“What are you doing?” I pushed against his chest, glancing anxiously at our surroundings. “Do you realize where we are right now? Just drive!”
Brandon pulled back, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. He reached over and ruffled my hair like I was a child.
“I’m starving, I announced instead, deliberately changing the subject “Let’s grab dinner at that Italian place on 5th Avenue–the one with the amazing garlic bread.”
Brandon glanced at me, eyebrow raised. “Italian? Remind me again, how many times have you had pasta this month?”
“Is that a problem?” I challenged, folding my arms across my chest. like Italian food.”
“It’s not that it’s a problem,” Brandon clarified, his tone softening. “But all that rich food might not be good for you. I’m just thinking about your health.”
“It’s decided–we’re getting Italian.” I protested.
Brandon’s eyes softened as he studied my face for a moment. “Alright if that’s what you want.”
I knew he’d seen through my ploy. After everything that had happened today, I wanted to get Brandon out of the house, distract him with something normal and comforting. A cozy Italian dinner seemed like the perfect solution–warming and requiring enough attention that he couldn’t brood over his family drama.
We drove to Giorgio’s in Manhattan, one of those upscale Italian restaurants with authentic recipes and a wine list longer than most novels. The place was packed, but thanks to Brandon’s foresight in making a reservation, we were immediately shown to a private corner table.
While I scanned the menu, debating between the fettuccine and the risotto, Brandon pulled out his phone and stepped slightly away
from the table.
“Why hasn’t there been any movement on what I asked you to do?” His voice was low but sharp as he spoke to James,
I pretended not to listen, but couldn’t help catching bits of their conversation.
“Mr. Stark, you mean…?” James’s voice came faintly through the speaker.
“The photos. The task I gave you yesterday. Seems you’ve forgotten.
D
“You forgot. Wonderful, Brandon’s tone was icy.
“Tonight?” Brandon considered. ‘Make it tomorrow morning. Get it done.”
Brandon ended the call just as our appetizers arrived–fresh bruschetta and calamari fritti.
What was that about?” I asked, gesturing to his phone. “I thought you were on holiday for the next few days, Why are you still giving James assignments?”
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Chapter 265
“Nothing important, Brandon dismissed, reaching across the table to take my right hand in his.
I blinked in confusion as he studied my fingers with unusual intensity. The waiter brought our main dishes–fettuccine alfredo for me and osso buco for Brandon.
“What are you doing?” I asked, trying to pull my hand back. “The food’s getting cold. Let go!”
“Hmm, it looks good,” he agreed, releasing my hand. “Go ahead and eat.”
Brandon twirled some of my pasta onto a fork and held it out to me
“Stop that! I protested, though I couldn’t help smiling at his attentiveness. “I have hands, you know. Eat your own food!”
We settled into a comfortable silence, the rich flavors warming me from the inside out. Occasionally, I’d catch Brandon glancing at my right hand again, but I couldn’t figure out why it had suddenly become so fascinating to him.
After dinner, Brandon suggested we take a walk through the nearby shopping mall.
“Since when do you enjoy mall–walking?” I asked, surprised. Brandon usually avoided crowded retail spaces like the plague.
“Did I ever say I didn’t?” he countered smoothly, taking my right hand in his. “Let’s look around. We should probably buy some things while we’re here.”
“Hmm?” I gave him a puzzled look.
Brandon led me through the mall with purpose, bypassing the usual stores until we reached the third floor. When we stepped into the jewelry section, everything suddenly clicked into place.
“Is this why you’ve been staring at my hand all night?” I asked, finally understanding his strange behavior.
A sales associate approached us immediately, her professional smile widening when she spotted Brandon in his tailored suit.
“Sir, how can I help you today? Are you looking for a ring?” she asked eagerly.
Brandon ignored her, turning to me instead. “Wait a moment,” he said, then guided me toward the display cases. “Take a look. Which one do you like?”
“So you really did bring me here to buy a ring!” I exclaimed, finally putting all the pieces together. “That’s why you kept staring at my hand during dinner!”
“Just hurry up and choose one,” Brandon urged, a hint of impatience in his voice.
I scanned the glittering displays, momentarily overwhelmed by the options. Most of the rings were ostentatious–large diamonds in elaborate settings that would draw attention from across a room.
“You don’t like any of these?” Brandon asked, noting my hesitation.
“It’s not that,” I explained. “But I have to wear this to work. Something this expensive and flashy wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“What kind of ring do you want, then?”
“Something more understated. Simple design, nothing too elaborate. My eyes landed on a display of more minimalist bands. “Brandon, come look at this one. What do you think?”
Brandon gestured to the sales associate. “Bring that one over, please
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Chapter 265
The associate’s smile faltered slightly as she looked at my choice–a leek platinum band with a modest diamond in a clean, modern setting. It was beautiful but significantly less expensive than the showier pieces.
“Sir, are you sure you wouldn’t ke to see some of our other options? This particular ring is-
“Just bring it out, Brandon cut her off, his voice dropping to a dangerous register.
“I’ll get it right away,” she stammered, hurrying to retrieve the ring.
She returned moments later with the ring on a velvet cushion. Brandon took it and handed it to me.
“Try it on,” he suggested.
I slipped it onto my right ring finger, admiring how the simple design caught the light. “What do you think? Does it look good?”
“Yes. It looks perfect,” Brandon said, his eyes warm as they met mine.
“I think so too,” I agreed, a flutter of happiness spreading through my chest. “Excuse me, could you please wrap this up for us?”
The sales associate nodded, but before she could take the ring, she spotted someone entering the store and her attention immediately shifted.
“Sir, are you looking to purchase jewelry for the lady? Right this way, please,” she called out, completely abandoning us to greet the new customers.
To my surprise, no other sales associate was going to answer my request.
I was about to express my indignation when Brandon’s hand tightened around mine. I turned to see what had caught his attention.
“Brandon? Summer? What are you two doing here?” Lonnie Caldwell stood before us, his arm wrapped around an elegantly dressed woman who I assumed was his fiancée.
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