Melody
Chapter fifty-six
One Week Later
“She’ll have the Lobster Risotto, and I’ll take the Filet Mignon,” Dylan smiles charmingly at the waiter, handing over our menus as I sip my red wine.
We’re seated at a table that cost an arm and a leg to get, celebrating the booking of our wedding venue. At least, to my fiancé, this is a celebration. To me, this is another pity dinner where he tries to apologize for the way we left things last week.
Since his manipulation to get me out of my parents’ house, he hasn’t done it again.
Instead, he’s resorted to having flowers delivered to me every day, taking me out to fancy dinners to try and pretend I’m not glaring at him at all times, and grand acts of affection that often involve a large crowd to witness.
He’s love bombing me, and he thinks I don’t know.
“I don’t like lobster,” I say casually as I set my glass aside.
Dylan sighs, lifting his scotch to his lips. “You look lovely this evening. Is that a new dress?”
It’s a romantic sleeveless floral number that cinches at the waist and molds to my hips. I saw it in a shop window yesterday and decided that retail therapy with my fiancé‘s credit card was the best way for me to cope.
“Mhm,” I hum. “Two thousand dollars.”
Dylan chokes, setting his glass down as he slams a fist against his chest. “Really?“ He asks, his voice becoming an octave higher. “It-it’s beautiful. I love it, baby.”
My eyes narrow. “Do you?”
“Oh, yeah,” he nods, regaining his composure. “It suits you. It gives you a soft kind of elegance.”
I sit back in my chair, lifting my glass to my glossed lips. “Then you’re going to love the other dresses I bought.”
His eyes widen as his mouth moves like a fish out of water. “Others?”
“Five to be exact,” I smile tightly.
He blows out a breath, scratching at the back of his neck. “I can’t wait to see them…”
This is how every evening goes. He tries his hardest to smooth over everything that happened, and I’m left feeling more and more vindictive with every passing day. I tried to call things off, and he only reminded me of what’s on the line.
We argue.
He apologizes.
It’s all the same.
I haven’t even been able to get in touch with Kaden. I don’t have his new number, so I’ve been left to deal with the fallout of my own choices. He shouldn’t have to fix things for me, but knowing what he’s up to would be nice.
I miss him.
There’s an emptiness in my chest that aches more the deeper I get into wedding planning. Picking out cake flavors and decorations is lackluster and dulled. Nothing possesses the glitz and glam it should anymore. This all feels…hollow.
“I’ve been thinking…” Dylan trails, catching my attention.
“That’s dangerous,” I quip.
He laughs uncomfortably as he sets his scotch aside. “With the wedding only a few weeks away, why don’t we take a trip? Maybe get some fresh air? I hear Colorado is nice this time of year.”
My eyes narrow. “I can’t leave The Bloom Room to fend for itself during our busiest season. You know this.”
He runs a hand across his mouth. “So, that’s a no, then?”
It’s a fuck no.
“You guessed it,” I respond dryly.
Dylan sighs, sitting closer to the table as he grabs my hand and interlocks our fingers. “What can I do to make you forgive me, baby? I’m trying everything I can, and you still aren’t happy.”
I pluck my digits from his. “Because you’re basically blackmailing me into marrying you.”
His jaw flexes. “This isn’t blackmail, Melody. We were getting married anyway.”
I hold a hand up, dismissing the whole discussion. “I’m done arguing with you over this.”
“Fine.”
Our waiter returns, setting our dishes down in front of us. I blink at the creamy alfredo, pleasantly surprised.
“That’s not what we ordered,” Dylan says as he stops the server who’s just trying to return to the kitchen.
The balding man glances at my dish, frowning. “There was an update to the order halfway through preparation.”
“It’s fine!” I cut in quickly, my stomach grumbling. “I love Alfredo.”
As I take my first bite, the pasta melts on my tongue, and awareness zips down my spine. I’m being watched. But not by just anyone. No, this is familiar.
My eyes flicker up, searching the tables around us. Nothing.
I shove my disappointment aside as Dylan’s phone rings. He fishes it out of his pocket, rising from the table.
“I need to take this.”
“Of course you do, dearest.” I take another bite of my pasta and chew.
My fiancé shakes his head before lifting the device to his ear and shuffling to the main entrance of the establishment to take his call in private. I sit back contentedly, enjoying my pasta in the silence.
Until the chair across from me scrapes against the floor, and my eyes widen at the table.
“How’s the Alfredo?” Kaden asks casually, settling in as he cuts a large portion of Dylan’s Filet Mignon and shoves it past his lips.
My fork freezes halfway to my mouth as I blink. “How did you find me?”
He’s dressed ruggedly with his thick black jacket and his worn dark jeans. He’s out of place in this high-end restaurant with his hair tousled and tattoos on display.
He chews thoughtfully. “Hmm. Medium rare. A little boring. Predictable.” He reaches for Dylan’s scotch next, knocking it back.
I blink slowly, my brain booting up. “What are you doing?”
Kaden glances up at me as he cuts another chunk of steak. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m having dinner with my favorite girl.”
The snort leaves me before I can stop it. I slap a manicured hand over my lips, glancing around. “You can’t be here—”
“Let me ask you this, little sister,” he says ominously, a darkness falling over his eyes as he peers up through his lashes. “Have you forgotten who you belong to?”
My laughter dies as I lower my hands to my lap. “I’m sorry,” I say carefully. “Did you just ask if I forgot who I belong to?”
He points his fork at me. “So you did hear me? Wonderful.”
He sits back, looking sinful with the dulled lighting and swelling orchestra. He shouldn’t be this hot. Especially when he’s testing my patience.
“I’m not a pair of misplaced car keys, Kaden.” I bite before sipping my wine.
“No, you’re not.” He agrees as he leans forward slowly and rests his elbows on the table. All of the air is sucked out of the atmosphere around us, charging our table with something much more electric. “You’re the girl who used to love stealing my hoodies.”
“They were comfortable,” I roll my eyes.
“You’re also the girl who loves getting on her knees for her big brother.”
I choke, slapping a hand over my chest. “Kaden!”
He smirks devilishly. “Ask me the right question.”
“This again?” I groan.
“Come on. You know you want to.” He pushes.
I sigh, hanging my head. “I can’t, Kaden. Dylan…” I want to tell him the truth, but I can’t get the words out. Kaden shouldn’t be my safety net. He’s hurt me before.
“Dylan, what?“ He asks slowly, his jaw grinding. “Did he hurt you?”
I hold my hands up. “No! No, he didn’t hurt me.”
“Then what happened? I know he made you leave early.”
My head swivels to the front doors as they open. Dylan glides in, stopping to talk to someone he recognizes before I return to my brother. “You can’t be here when he gets back.”
Kaden tilts his head, his eyes raking over me slowly. “Fuck the food. You look good enough to eat. How would Dylan feel if he showed back up to see his blushing bride having her pussy devoured under the table?”
“Kaden!” I hiss.
He slides the chair out and rises. “You deserve more than a man who will leave before dinner even starts. Enjoy the Alfredo. I already paid, pretty girl.”
He dips off, skirting around the tables to avoid my fiancé. Dylan plops down on his chair, unfolding his napkin before he freezes.
“Who ate my steak?”
I shrug, lifting my glass to my lips. “I was hungry.”