Chapter 318
Summer’s POV
Brandon lifted me from his lap and settled me into his seat, casually positioning himself on the armrest beside me, I felt my cheeks burn as every eye in the room fixed on us.
“Brandon!” I hissed. This wasn’t like him at all. Public displays of affection in front of his closest friends? Who was this man and what had he done with my husband?
I cleared my throat, trying to break the awkward silence. So everyone’s here! Is this like a regular meetup or something?
The entire room stared at me like I’d asked if water was wet. Even Ruby and Scarlett exchanged a “really?” glance. I sank lower in my seat, wishing I could disappear.
“Don’t be nervous, Mrs. Stark,” Edward said smoothly. “You remember me, right? Edward Lee?”
“Of course I remember you, Edward!” I replied, grateful for the lifeline…
“Please, call me Edward,” he said with a smile. “After all, you’re practically family now.”
Sean clapped his hands. “So what’s the plan now? Where to next?”
“Dinner, obviously,” he answered himself. “I’ve already arranged everything. Your friends are coming too.” He nodded toward Ruby and Scarlett. “James already made the reservations.”
Brandon made a soft, derisive sound. “My assistant, and you’re ordering him around like he’s yours?”
“Oh please,” Sean scoffed. “Like you don’t boss me around every chance you get?”
“Let’s head to Water Lounge,” Sean announced. “Ladies, would you prefer to ride with me or Edward?”
Ruby and Scarlett exchanged another glance. “We’ll stick with you, since we came with you.”
I could practically read their thoughts. Edward might seem friendly, but there was something intimidating about him. And Ethan Kennedy? The man made Brandon look positively chatty.
“See that, Edward?” Sean gloated. “I told you people always prefer my company.”
Edward responded with a noncommittal grunt before heading toward the door.
As everyone filed out, Arya shadowed Ethan to his car, Ruby and Scarlett followed Sean, and Edward walked alone to his vehicle.
Brandon and I were the last to leave. In the hallway, he pulled me close. “So, what happened
trouble.”
Victoria? Sean mentioned
“Nothing major,” I said. “You know Victoria–always making me feel small. She acts like I’m constantly trying to steal what’s hers.”
Brandon’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “Well, you do look very threatening.”
I rolled my eyes and changed the subject. “Why this sudden meetup? And isn’t Ethan supposed to be back in Philadelphia? I thought he was taking Arya to meet her family.”
He has his reasons,” Brandon replied cryptically.
1/3
Sean mentioned something else.” I said as we stepped into the elevator. Do you have people following me?
Brandon didnt deny it, “Security detail. For your protection.”
“Since when?”
“Since things escalated with the Sinclairs,” he replied matter–of–factly. They’re discreet.”
“If it bothers you, I can pull them back,” he added. “But not right now
I sighed. “No, it’s fine. I get why you’re doing it..It makes you feel beter, and after everything that’s happened… maybe it’s not such a bad idea.”
His arm tightened around my waist. I knew I’d made the right call.
Water Lounge was exactly what I’d expect from the Wall Street Four exclusive, elegant, and subtly ostentatious. The manager practically fell over himself greeting us, leading us to the largest private dining room.
“Dr. Sullivan has arranged everything,” he explained. “Mr. Wilson provided detailed instructions for the menu.”
Brandon and I were the last to arrive. Everyone was already seated with cocktails, perfectly at ease.
“Finally! The love–struck teenagers arrive,” Sean called out. “Brandon would it kill you to go five minutes without showing off? The rest of us are single, you know.”
“Yes,” Brandon replied simply, pulling out my chair.
Sean launched into a dramatic retelling of the Diana incident, complete with impressions of Victoria’s horrified expression when he’d introduced himself as Jesse Turner.
“Ruby here was brilliant,” he declared. “With that kind of verbal sparring, you should’ve been a lawyer instead of a journalist.”
́Ruby snorted. “Why would I want to be a lawyer? I know nothing about law. I’m practically legally illiterate.” She took a sip of wine.
“Besides, I was on the track team in college. Both sprints and distance. That was my real talent.”
“Oh my God, yes!” I laughed. “Ruby was so fast! This guy from engineering had a crush on her–when he finally asked her out, she literally sprinted away. Poor guy couldn’t even come close to catching her.”
“So that’s why you’re single,” Sean teased. “You outrun all your suitors.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “That’s rich coming from you, Dr. Sullivan. Last time I checked, you’re just as single as Lam. Let’s not throw stones from that glass house.”
The entire table erupted in laughter. Even Edward smiled, which only made Sean turn on him.
“What are you laughing at? You’re just as painfully single as I am!”
As dinner progressed, Ruby and Scarlett visibly relaxed. Meanwhile, Brandon appointed himself my personal waiter, peeline jumbo shrimp after another for my plate.
“I can’t eat anymore,” I protested as he added yet another one.
“Just one more,” he insisted. “Last one.”
2/3
I looked down and realized I somehow consumed an entire platter of shrimp. Brandon’s side was littered with shells–evidence of his dedicated service.
A knock interrupted us. The mager appeared, looking apologetic.
“Mr. Stark, there’s someone asking to see you,” he said nervously. A Mr. Sinclair? He said you’d recognize the name.
Brandon calmly placed one final shrimp on my plate. Take him to the Sunset Room. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Your uncle?” Sean asked, suddenly serious.
Brandon nodded, pushing back his chair. He whispered in my ear, “Stay here. Eat something. Then he was gone.
What was wrong with him today? Fitst the excessive PDA, then the shrimp peeling service, and now these cryptic instructions to eat more?
Ten minutes later, Brandon returned, looking remarkably relaxed–even pleased. Whatever conversation he’d had with Jeffrey Sinclair had clearly gone well,
“Why is everyone staring at me?” he asked, reclaiming his seat.
I reached for the rice and spooned some onto his plate. “How did it go?” I asked softly.
His eyes met mine, a predatory satisfaction gleaming in their depths. “Perfectly.”
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