Chapter 5
Silver paused outside the dining room door. “You can do this.”
She dragged in a deep breath, the waft of roasted lamb and rosemary potatoes filling her senses.
She smoothed a hand down the bodice of the light-yellow sundress she’d changed into.
The fluttery capped sleeves showed off most of her shoulders, and the neckline also revealed her tanned skin.
She wore dangling gold earrings and had left her hair down, only adding in a curl or two to make it fuller.
She’d also touched up her makeup and put on lip gloss.
Now she pressed a hand into her abdomen to stop the humming of bumblebees there. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous, but ever since seeing Dustin up close and personal, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.
He wasn’t any happier about being her protection agent than she was at having him there. She could tell he didn’t want to be around her, that he didn’t even seem to like her.
She knew she shouldn’t be disappointed, because she didn’t want him to like her, didn’t care what he thought of her.
But she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him when she’d been getting ready.
For some reason, she wanted to present herself at her best. Maybe she even wanted him to see what he’d missed out on when he’d rejected her all those years ago.
At the very least, she wanted to put her best foot forward. Since he had to be around and they would have to interact, she may as well forget about their history and be friendly with him—as friendly as she was with others. It was the least she could do.
The dining room was quiet. However, Beryl had texted her a few minutes ago and let her know Dustin and his assistant were seated and waiting.
Silver lowered her hand from her stomach and straightened her shoulders. She could do this.
She made her feet move forward and stepped into the doorway of the large dining room with the long cherrywood table and matching chairs cushioned in a pale-blue damask.
Dustin was sitting on one side, and his assistant, a man who’d introduced himself as Isaac, reclined in the chair beside him. Both were staring at their devices. Beryl was across from them, the spot beside her set with tableware and intended for Silver.
Beryl was also on her phone, typing something. At the sight of Silver, she set her phone down and stood.
Dustin didn’t look up, but he set aside his phone and picked up a tablet while he pushed back from his chair and rose. He’d taken off his sunglasses, and now she had a perfect view of his chiseled face, his jaw and chin containing a five-o’clock shadow.
Drats. Why did he have to be so handsome?
Isaac didn’t seem to notice she’d entered, was chewing a piece of gum and blowing a bubble. Either that or he didn’t know it was good manners to rise when a woman entered a room on an occasion like this.
Whatever the case, she breezed into the room. “Thank you so much for joining us.” She directed her comment to Dustin. “I hope you’ll enjoy the delicious food.”
Dustin flicked a glance at her. “We have some standard questions we need to ask you.”
No pleasantries. No niceties. Apparently, Dustin planned to keep the dinner strictly businesslike.
She hesitated beside her chair. A part of her wanted to answer his questions and get the interaction over as quickly as she could. Another part of her resisted the idea of his being so cold and impersonal. She deserved a little more respect than that, and she had to stick up for herself.
She offered him a tight smile, but one that hopefully held her firmness. “I promise I’ll answer all your questions, but I’ll only do so after we enjoy our meal.”
He glanced up at her from his tablet, giving her a perfect view of his brown eyes. They were as lusciously dark and melty as they’d always been, like gooey chocolate brownies right out of the oven.
She’d loved his eyes. She’d loved having his attention upon her, loved catching his gaze, loved that he’d never seemed to get enough of looking at her.
Of course, that was different now.
“I don’t want to drag this out,” he stated.
“It is a lovely meal, and we’re in no rush.”
His eyes narrowed. Was he doubting her? Thinking she had ulterior motives?
It didn’t really matter. She intended to eat dinner with him and be polite and friendly. There was nothing wrong with that, was there?
She sat down, prompting Beryl to take her seat. Silver reached for the linen napkin, folded in the shape of a fan. “You can enjoy a meal, can’t you?” She spread out her napkin, then took a sip of her ice water.
“I’ll try.” He settled into his chair, clicked off his tablet, and pushed it aside. He draped his napkin on his lap. Then he, too, took a sip of his water before setting it down and running one of his strong fingers around the rim.
He’d never been much of a talker, had always seemed content to let her chatter away. She’d appreciated that he’d been such a good listener, but his silence now wasn’t the same. It was much more complete and intentional.
Why did he have to be so stubborn about renewing their acquaintance? Couldn’t he make the best of the situation like she was trying to do?
Well, since he wasn’t, she would have to work even harder to show him they could be cordial.
Before she could ask him a question, Paula bustled into the dining room with a platter laden with steaming dishes.
The middle-aged housekeeper with a beehive hairstyle wore baggy shirts over tight leggings that weren’t particularly flattering to her rounded middle.
“Here you are. It’s a delicious meal. I already had a plate for myself and couldn’t resist having seconds. ”
“Thank you.” Silver smiled at the woman. “If it’s half as good as it smells, then I know I’ll enjoy it.”
Beryl had recently hired the housekeeper part-time to do the cleaning and tidying and to stay through dinner. Paula was a perfectionist when it came to keeping the house in order. She was less perfect when it came to dawdling, and often got sidetracked talking, especially about her grandchildren.
After Paula placed the serving platters on the table and poured more drinks, she chatted for only a moment before Beryl nodded sternly at her. Paula apologized for lingering before excusing herself.
As they dished up the food, Isaac finally put away his phone and proved to be friendly and outgoing. Dustin only grunted a time or two in response to Isaac’s comments, which had clearly been meant to provoke him.
Silver wasn’t as easily put off, and she persisted in her effort to be friendly.
“So, Dustin,” Silver said as she sliced a tender piece of lamb. “How is your family doing?”
His fork, halfway to his mouth, halted.
“Of course, I’ve heard all about Brock, and I admit that I listen to his songs. He’s so good and has such a strong yet tender voice.”
Dustin finished his bite.
“And I heard about Emberly marrying that European prince. What was his name?”
Dustin paused in cutting the next bite of food. “Max.”
“Prince Max. How exciting. I can’t even imagine what kind of life is in store for her.”
“She’s happy, and that’s all that matters.”
Silver couldn’t keep her smile from widening at Dustin’s answer. Not because of the content but because he’d actually spoken more than a couple of words to her.
“How about you?” Silver prompted. “Do you have a special person in your life? You’re certainly old enough for that.” Plenty of men at his age were married and already had families. Actually, plenty of women her age were also married with kids.
A low pulse of worry spurted through her—a worry she’d felt all too often over the past year or so: the worry that she was falling behind, that life was passing her by, and that she would miss out on marriage and children if she didn’t get more serious about a man.
She supposed in some ways that’s why she’d allowed herself to pursue Parker in spite of her initial reservations, and why she’d let their relationship go on as long as she had, even though a part of her had known he wasn’t the right man for her.
“Listen, Silver.” Dustin placed his fork next to his plate and wiped his mouth with his napkin. His shirt pulled taut, and his muscles rippled with every move he made. “It’s for the best if we keep our personal lives to ourselves.”
“So does that mean no? You’re not dating someone?” She could admit it was fascinating to watch him. He was a strong guy with an imposing presence.
“It means I don’t want to talk about it.”
Isaac snorted. “Aw, c’mon, dude. Just tell her that you’re a loser and can’t ever keep a woman happy.”
“He can’t keep a woman happy?” Silver turned surprised eyes upon Dustin. He had made her happy when they’d been younger. He’d always been so attentive, sensitive, and gentle.
“That’s right.” Isaac grinned at Dustin.
Dustin scowled.
“Oh, wait,” Isaac said too innocently. “Dustin never dates because he’s too busy and married to his work.”
“I see.” So he didn’t have a girlfriend. That was good to know, although she wasn’t quite sure why it mattered.
“But you know something?” Isaac’s eyes sparkled. “I think he’s still got a thing for you.”
“Isaac.” Dustin’s brows dipped lower, and his voice took on a menace.
Isaac kept his focus on Silver. “He has a rule that he never takes any assignments for women. But here we are.”
Interesting. “Why doesn’t he take assignments for women?”
“He is sitting right here.” Dustin folded his bulky arms across his chest.
She shifted her attention to him. “Why don’t you take assignments for women?”
He turned his serious eyes upon her. “It’s irrelevant to your case.”
Isaac fished in his shorts pocket and pulled out a cube of pink gum. “We have several theories around the office.”
“Don’t go there,” Dustin growled.
“Why”—Isaac began to chomp at the gum—“when it’s so fun?”
“What is the top theory?” She was too curious now to hold back her question.
“That he’s already got a special gal somewhere and she’s insanely jealous of other women. The second theory is that he’s secretly a priest and took a vow of chastity. And the third—”
“Just stop.” Dustin balled up his napkin and tossed it at Isaac.
The linen bounced off Isaac’s face and fell onto the table. “If you don’t want me to share all the theories, then why don’t you come clean with the truth?”
“Because it’s none of your business.”
Isaac shrugged nonchalantly, as if he’d made his point—a point Silver didn’t quite understand.
But it was definitely a good sign that Dustin had been willing to make an exception to his rule to guard her.
Did that mean that somewhere deep inside, in spite of his protests, he still carried a fondness for their past? She hoped that’s what it meant.