Midnight Butterflies

Chapter 3

THREE

Dove

“Good morning,” the restaurant host greets.

“Good morning, we’re here as part of the Samuels party,” Jill answers.

The man looks down at his list of reservations and bobs his head as he finds the last name.

“Of course. Mr. Samuels is already seated. Right this way.”

“Thank you,” Jill chirps.

It looks like Mr. Samuels isn’t the gentleman Jill assumes he is. He wasn’t outside waiting with bated breath for our arrival.

The host pulls out two menus from a stacked pile and gestures for us to follow behind as he starts to head into the main dining area.

As we walk to our table, we pass women with large hats and colorful dresses, all with stacks of jewelry covering their skin. I can only imagine the types of personalities the host has to deal with here.

I truly can’t wrap my head around why Jill would rather live in Dossberry over Lamb Creek. While I know we are total opposites, all of this luxury seems like an unnecessary way to live.

Jill starts to wave at people she knows at various tables we are walking by. Seeing Jill in action like this is startling. I always knew she wanted to live a life like this, but I didn’t realize how much she was willing to do to fit in.

Some of the women are even waving back. I suppose since she started seeing Mr. Samuels, she could come here often to mingle. Maybe fiancé number six really is her golden ticket to this life she’s wanted.

“Dove,” Jill whispers sternly.

I look over to her and realize I have fallen behind on the walk to the table.

Giving her a small smile, I catch up as she’s about to be seated. Jill flings her dark-brown hair to the side and smiles brightly as the host pulls out her chair next to the elusive Mr. Samuels. I can see the back of his deep-brown hair is nicely styled and goes with the look of the suit he’s wearing.

I square my shoulders back and plaster on my fakest smile to make this nightmare end. Jill looks back over in my direction and shudders with disapproval as she sits down.

As I take my final steps to reach the table, I notice a leg propped out slightly, covered in navy blue fitted pants that have clearly been tailored to fit his figure. His shiny brown shoes look like they must be designer.

I internally groan that I need to spend the next hour making small talk with these two. Anyone living in Dossberry who would marry Jill has to be the absolute worst type of person.

“Hi. I’m—” I start, with my hand extended.

Words suddenly refuse to come out as Mr. Samuels stands.

This cannot be happening to me.

My fight-or-flight instincts kick in as I stare at two piercing brown eyes that send a jolt of electricity through my entire being. Ones that I remember convincing me to stay awhile longer on that fateful night. The one where I managed to get away successfully.

Energy courses through me as he shakes my limp hand. That’s when the flicker of understanding flashes in his eyes.

He recognizes me too.

The elusive Mr. Samuels is the man who changed everything for me this summer. The one who my heart wishes I had given a real chance of catching me that night. Instead, I wanted to show him that I couldn’t be caught so easily.

The way he’s staring into my soul as we shake hands tells me that he remembers it all too well.

Mr. Samuels is my Reid.

Reid’s eyes suddenly gleam with something wicked. I shiver at the reminder of how being under his gaze makes me feel alive.

It may have been a game that night, but I feel as though it’s far from over now that we’ve found each other once again.

Reid strokes the back of my hand with his thumb, and goosebumps prick along my bare arms. It reminds me of the way he carefully teased my body when we were last together.

“Still a responsive little thing,” he murmurs.

“Reid,” I whisper, shocked.

“I didn’t think I’d find you again,” he says quietly.

The sound of his husky voice makes me feel needy all over, and a slight ache starts to pulse in my sex. Just being in his proximity sets me off in a way I’ve never experienced with anyone else.

As Reid teases my hand with his thumb, I suddenly remember where we are. I pull my hand out of his as if it had caught on fire.

Reid and I may have found each other after months apart, but we have a new reality—he’s apparently my mother’s latest fiancé.

“Dove?” Jill calls out, annoyed. I glance over Reid’s shoulder to catch her angry expression, waiting for me to take my seat. She must have been distracted by someone else and hadn’t seen the way Reid was touching me as if I were his fiancée .

“Sorry, I was thinking about a deadline I have and forgot about,” I lie.

I look around the room, trying to figure out how I can leave immediately. There are no additional exits in sight.

“Dove, say hi to Mr. Samuels. Take a seat,” she demands.

I put on my fake armor of a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes and stand tall as I connect with Reid’s eyes again. She clears her throat as delicately as possible.

“Dove?” she asks, even more annoyed.

My gaze darts back over to Jill, and I see her smiling at me while reaching over to take Reid’s hand. Something akin to jealousy starts to bubble up inside.

She shouldn’t be touching him like that.

I try to regroup but keep finding it more difficult as I process everything that’s happening. Scrambling, I find her annoyed stare on me once again, so I attempt to pull it together one more time and face Reid.

“Hi, Mr. Samuels .”

I extend my hand out to shake his properly this time. Really, I just wanted to make him have to drop Jill’s hand. He may be hers, but I still don’t have to put myself through this slow form of torture.

My shoulders naturally relax as they pull apart, and I imagine I see a sense of relief in his expression too. I know I have to be wrong since he’s marrying her and not me. I may think I know him, but clearly, I don’t. The man I met that night would never marry someone like Jill.

He takes my hand, and that feeling of our universes connecting again hits me like a ton of bricks all at once.

“Dove,” he says, almost testing it.

It’s the first time he’s heard my name.

The way his mouth works as he repeats it once more causes me to stare at his lips. I wish I would have kissed him that night.

Reid places a gentle kiss on top of the hand he’s holding tightly. His eyes pop up to mine as he lingers in place. The way his soft lips feel against my skin makes my body feel like it’s ablaze. Every inch of it wants his touch everywhere.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I whisper.

“ Dove , I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.”

He stands back upright but keeps our hands intertwined. I try to pull mine away, but he ever so slightly tugs it back.

I’m in his hold. He told me that night if he caught me, then I would be his.

My mouth parts slightly as my eyes widen.

He’s not going to let me get away this time.

“Please, call me Reid.”

Reid .

I suck in a deep breath at the reminder of how easily he gave me his name that night. I always wondered if it was real or not.

“Reid,” I repeat.

I pull my hand roughly out of his firm hold. Reid’s eyes narrow on mine, clearly displeased that I did. My smile takes over, and I pull out the chair across from him at the table.

“Well, I am so happy that you’ve finally met each other,” Jill interrupts.

My eyes flash over to Jill, and I know she’s upset with me but doesn’t know why she should be. The tension rolling between Reid and me is unmistakable.

Settling into my seat, I keep my crossbody purse around my torso so that I can leave as soon as possible. I don’t want there to be any reason Reid manages to keep me at this brunch.

As much as I know fleeing without saying goodbye will appear dramatic to Jill, I can’t possibly sit through an entire meal while pretending as if Reid is a complete stranger. That’s why I need to come up with a reason to leave.

Work.

An easy lie to sell, given that Jill knows nothing about my career opportunities. I did mention earlier that I had a deadline I forgot about.

I’ve got it. Sometimes I do freelance work for magazines. I’ll tell them I forgot about a deadline for one of them. Jill won’t ask for specifics.

Jill starts talking to Reid about the menu while I try to find a closer exit than the one we came through. The sooner I can be out of this country club, the better.

As I look around the room, my eyes automatically connect with Reid’s as I pass his direction. I still on them; they’ve darkened, and I see a tick in his jaw.

The emotion that is seeping out makes me want to listen to any command he gives me, but I just can’t.

Reid knows I’m trying to escape, and he’s upset with my decision. I don’t know what he expects from me in this situation, but I can’t sit through this mess.

“Dove is a photographer,” Jill says.

I watch as Reid swallows thickly and nods slowly.

“Is that so?” he asks, with a cock of an eyebrow.

I fidget with the ends of my hair as it hangs loosely against my chest.

“Stop fidgeting,” Jill chastises.

I look over, and she’s already distracted by someone else at a nearby table.

“It is,” I answer and focus back on Reid.

“What kind?” His question comes out harshly.

“Any kind,” I retort.

“We both know that’s a lie.”

I still as I meet his gaze. Let’s not lie to one another.

“A wildlife photographer.”

“Who do you work for?”

“Anyone.”

I’m not giving him more details. Not when I’m now sitting across from him as my mother’s fiancé. He has to understand how wrong this is.

My gaze flashes up to him once more, and it takes everything in me to not speak my mind with how furious I’ve become by this situation. He can be annoyed that I’m trying to leave, but I’m disgusted by the fact he’s engaged to Jill.

“Congratulations on your impending nuptials,” I spit out through gritted teeth before putting my fake smile in place.

Reid’s jaw clenches, and he gives me a warning stare.

I grin, knowing I just got under his skin. Looking down at my nails, I give them a once-over to pretend as if I’m uninterested, hoping it will irk him even further.

“Thank you! We are just so excited, aren’t we?” Jill gushes.

Jill grabs onto his arm, unaware of his hand gripping the end of the chair’s armrest harshly.

“Yes,” he answers.

Reid pulls away, folds his arms over his chest, and just stares. I mimic his pose and cross my legs too.

“Reid is an investor. Isn’t that interesting?” Jill asks, trying to ease the tension.

“What kind of investments?”

My mouth tightens into a thin line as I wait for his answer.

Investments.

There is no way this man is an investor for a living.

“Commercial property.”

It’s a battle of wits and wills as we continue to stare down at each other.

“Fascinating, right?” Jill asks.

“Very,” I reply sarcastically.

Reid tilts his head to the side. He’s about to say something when the arrival of our server distracts us both.

“Good morning. What can I get started for you today? Mimosa? Coffee?” the server asks.

“I’ll have a Bloody Mary, extra spicy,” Jill says with a giggle.

“I’m fine with water,” I answer.

“Water? Dove, sweetie , we’re celebrating. Why don’t you get a mimosa?”

Glancing over at Jill, I see she’s growing more and more frustrated while trying to pretend that she’s happy with my behavior. She never calls me any term of endearment. It’s all a show for our mutual acquaintance, Reid.

“I’ll stick with water. I had an emergency come up, and I’ll need to leave soon.”

She sighs but doesn’t press again.

“Water and coffee,” Reid says to the server but doesn’t take his eyes off mine.

“I’ll be right back with your drinks and to take your order,” the server responds.

As he disappears, I see Jill twist in her seat to angle toward my side of the table.

“Emergency? What could have happened in the moments between the car and here?”

“A deadline I forgot I had. I have an assignment due today,” I lie.

“An assignment?” Jill questions.

“It’s a project for a magazine.”

“What magazine?” Reid asks.

I don’t answer.

“Well, stay for as long as you can. Reid can take me home, can’t you, darling?”

Jill looks over at him and bats her fake eyelashes.

“Of course,” he answers.

My skin feels as if I have a thousand ants crawling over me with the way he answered her question. The acid in my stomach starts to rise, and if I don’t leave soon, I may throw up at this table.

The man I met and the one marrying Jill simply cannot be the same person. I didn’t talk to Reid much that night, but this just doesn’t feel like the person I met.

I watch as Jill continues to talk to Reid and forgets I’m even sitting across the table. If it wasn’t for the highly inappropriate way Reid is staring at me, I would have assumed I was invisible.

I uncross my legs and start to look through my purse for my cell phone. Anything to distract me from having to watch Jill be affectionate.

Suddenly, a long, firm, pant-covered leg wedges between mine underneath the table. My eyes snap to his, and I see a sense of undeniable desire swirling there. The connection that sizzles between us is palpable.

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to just breathe as he rubs it slowly between mine. A familiar ache returns between my thighs, and I want to cry with how much I hate him in this moment. This is a form of torture he’s inflicting.

This is all too much.

I showed up.

I planted the lie.

I need to get out of here.

I need to move forward with my plan even if Reid knows what’s happening. I know Jill won’t care since I did make an appearance, and her country club friends are starting to fill the room.

I look at my phone and pretend as if I’ve received a text message from the magazine editor.

“I’m so sorry. It’s the editor. I have to go.”

I plop my phone in my bag and immediately get up. The chair scrapes the dining room floor loudly, drawing a few eyes to our table.

“Is everything okay?” Jill asks, feigning concern because of my abruptness.

“Sorry, Jill. I have to go.”

“It’s Mom,” she reprimands.

I give her a tight smile.

“Nice to meet you, Reid,” I murmur as I continue to look through my bag to avoid eye contact. This sickening feeling just won’t go away.

“I’ll walk you out,” he offers.

My head snaps up to find his eyes still on me, like they have been this whole time.

“You don’t have to do that,” Jill and I say almost in unison.

Jill raises a hand in my direction.

“See, Dove will be fine,” she says.

“Enjoy your brunch,” I respond.

I break eye contact and bolt out of the restaurant and away from the nightmare I’m in.

I can feel Reid’s eyes on me the entire time until I’m finally outside the set of front entrance doors.

There’s nothing he can do or say to follow me. It wouldn’t make sense for him to. Jill thinks that we’ve only just met, so why would he care to walk me out as someone who doesn’t know me? He didn’t meet her at the door when we arrived. If he did that, she would have to think it was odd.

I fumble with my car keys as I approach my car.

It’s time to get home and away from this disaster of a morning.

I go to open my driver’s side door when hurried footsteps approach. I keep it shut as dread courses through me.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe Reid Samuels was able to find a reason to follow me.

Maybe he just doesn’t care to give Jill one.

“Flying away, little bird?”