Chapter 50 I Wish You Would…
I Wish You Would…
Raven
This place is different from the last restaurant Mike took me to. It seems cozier, more intimate. This feels like the kind of place where whispered conversations feel like secrets.
I step out just as Mike gets out of his own car, walking toward me with that signature confident ease of his. He looks sharp in his suit, with his perfectly styled hair.
“You look lovely today, Raven.”
His tone is easy, but I don’t miss the way his gaze drags over to me, taking in every detail.
“Thank you.” I offer a polite smile, refusing to admit how good he looks in a suit. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting this meeting so soon. You work fast.”
He chuckles, holding the door open for me as we step inside. “When I see something worth pursuing, I don’t waste time.”
It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes, because I’m not sure if he’s talking about the deal or me.
We’re led to a booth tucked into the corner, and it’s just secluded enough to feel deliberate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he totally planned this.
Once we’re settled in, and the moment our menus are set aside, Mike launches into business talk.
His pitch is polished with every detail meticulously tailored, and, if I’m being honest, it’s solid. I nod along, asking a few clarifying questions, but the more he talks, the more I realize he’s already accounted for most of my concerns.
He’s good. I’ll give him that.
When he finally leans back, his expression remains unreadable, but I know he’s watching me carefully. Waiting for my approval or waiting to see if I’ll challenge him.
“What do you think?” His tone is all casual, but his body language is anything but.
“It’s good,” I admit, meeting his gaze.
His lips curve, but I don’t miss the flicker of something sharper when I suggest a slight revision.
For a second, something flashes in his eyes that looks an awful lot like annoyance.
He schools his features quickly, nodding like my suggestion doesn’t bother him at all, but I giggle to myself that it got to him.
“I’ll have my team make the adjustment and send over the revision as soon as possible. ”
Mike is undeniably attractive, and for the most part, he’s thoughtful and polite. But something about him is just too polished. There's also been a few moments when the mask slips just enough for me to catch him being sweet.
And that interests me far more than his proposal could.
I don’t even need to be here. I’m not the one signing the contract, Steven is. I’m just the one who knows what he will and won’t go for. And this little power play won't fly.
I keep my tone polite. “As long as that revision is handled, we should be good to go.”
Mike’s smile returns, but it’s not quite as relaxed as before. “Of course, I’ll send the updated version over soon.”
Our food arrives just as I start debating whether or not I actually want to keep entertaining this little game he’s trying to play. Luckily I don’t have to decide, because I’m starving. I want to eat.
“I’m actually heading to Skye soon,” I swirl my fork through my food, looking up at him. “Then, I’ll probably head home after. If I’m gone too long, Steven might replace me.”
“Well,” he smiles. “I hope you’re not leaving too soon. I’d love to take you out to dinner before you go.”
Ah. There it is.
I’m not surprised by the invitation itself, but I am surprised by the sudden shift in his demeanor.
I debate telling him I’m not interested, because I doubt I'll ever see him again, but maybe I’ll just take the easy way out on this one.
Once the contracts are signed, I can gracefully back out of the date he’s wanting.
“Let me figure out when I'll be back from Skye, and I'll let you know!”
His smile widens slightly, and I can see that smug satisfaction written all over his face.
“I would love that.”
I stop to really look at him. The sharp lines of his jaw, the effortless way his suit fits, the sheer confidence in his every movement. He dresses like a man who knows exactly what he wants. Yet, I don’t feel the same spark with him like I do with Kane.
Mike leans back, and his tone shifts into something more playful. “Well, Raven, darling, I’m off to work. I’ll get everything sent over to Steven for him to review, and in the meantime, I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting for you to let me know when I can take you out.”
He chuckles, leaning in like he's sharing a secret.
“I know a few places you’d absolutely love, but the rest? That’s a surprise.” A confident smirk tugs at his lips when he places his hand over mine. “If you want to know what it is, you’ll just have to come and see for yourself.”
There’s an effortless charm in the way he says it, and I hate that it almost works on me.
Despite myself, my lips twitch into a smile.
But I shut it down just as fast. He doesn’t need any more encouragement, and I refuse to be another name on his list. If he wants to impress me, he’s going to have to do a hell of a lot better than a smile and a little charm.
He stands, pulling a sleek wallet from his pocket and tossing more than enough cash onto the table to cover lunch and then some. “Please, don’t feel the need to rush on my account, your driver should be outside whenever you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Mike. This has been really nice.” And I mean that. Business aside, it’s been surprisingly nice. “I’ll let you know once I figure out my schedule.”
He motions for me to stay seated as he adjusts the cuff of his suit. “Always a pleasure, Raven. I look forward to hearing from you.”
And just like that, he turns and walks out of the restaurant.
I sip the last of my drink, making sure he has enough time to leave so I don’t run into him outside. My fingers drum lightly against the glass as I let my thoughts settle.
The meeting went well, and I think Steven will like him. The deal is nearly finalized, and my part is done. I should feel good about this, but it feels like I'm forgetting something.
I shake it off as I push out of the booth and head outside. The late afternoon sun is still warm against my skin as I scan the lot for my ride, expecting to see the same driver who dropped me off. But the car isn’t there.
My brows knit together as I step forward, scanning the parking lot, but I don't see him anywhere. With every step, my body feels heavier, like something's sitting on me, tightening around my chest.
What the hell?
A wave of dizziness crashes over me, and the edges of my vision start flickering. I blink hard, trying to steady myself, but the ground tilts beneath me, and my legs start to wobble, refusing to hold my weight.
No, no, no.
The asphalt shifts and my knees give out.
A shadow moves in the corner of my eye and I try to turn, but darkness rushes in before I can.
My mind is sluggish, but I can feel the haze lifting in slow, uneven waves. My body feels heavy, and my limbs feel useless, like they don’t belong to me. There’s something soft under me. A couch maybe? Where am I?
This can't be good.
I’ve seen enough horror movies to know this isn't how I plan to go out. Not today.
Something moves to my right, and my muscles tense. Or at least they try to. Mike steps in front of me and his expression is careful but not panicked. So I guess that's good news…
“Raven.” His voice is slightly hurried. “Thank God, you’re awake.”
I push myself up on my elbows, but the second I do, the world tilts and my stomach lurches
“What the fuck…” I mutter, blinking hard. Forcing myself to focus on not passing out.
He rushes toward me, holding out his hands like he's about to catch me. “Easy. You passed out in the parking lot. I was finishing a call when I saw you go down and figured it was faster to bring you here than wait for an ambulance. I called a doctor, and he should be here soon.”
I stare at him, letting his words sink in. There’s a calmness in his tone, but it’s doing nothing for my nerves. Passed out? I remember the parking lot, then nothing. I guess if he was lying, he’d be twitchy and defensive, so I let myself relax a little.
I shift again, testing my strength, but my body protests. I feel sluggish and uncooperative, but when I try to feel for my magic, I can't really feel it like I usually can. There’s something—weak, but it's there.
That’s good at least.
I force my shoulders to relax, trying not to look like I’m mentally calculating every possible exit. I know I’m not in any shape to move yet, and I need to at least try to understand what the hell is going on, but still.
Mike watches me with a carefully balanced expression and my only saving grace is that he looks concerned, but so much that it's tipping me into panic. Nothing about his body language suggests a threat. If he wanted to hurt me, he had plenty of chances.
And yet, my instincts haven’t stopped screaming since I woke up.
I force a slow, easy breath, schooling my features into something softer, keeping my tone even. “I'm glad you were there to help.”
His posture remains steady, but his shoulders ease, just a fraction.
“Can I, by chance, get a glass of water?”
His smile is reassuring. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”
I nod, keeping my expression neutral as he walks out of the room. My heart hammers against my ribs and I know something isn’t right, I just can't put my finger on it. Or maybe it's just that I passed out in a random parking lot, and now I'm in a stranger's house.
Muffled voices drift in and out, sounding distant and warped, like I’m listening through thick glass. Someone is calling my name and I try to respond, but it’s like my lips aren’t mine, like my body isn’t mine. Why can’t I move?
The voices fade as darkness pulls me under again, deeper this time. I don’t know how long I drift suspended in a place between waking and unconsciousness.
My magic is there, but it’s dulled. I try to reach for it a couple of times, but it’s like grasping at smoke. What the hell is going on?