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“And insulted her finances,” Dream reminded him.
“That was after she called me ‘Damien,’” he groused.
“Which is your name,” I said sweetly.
His lips twisted. “Only to people I like.”
“Then why does your wife call you that?”
The look he gave me could have shred a person who hadn’t known him a little while. Still, implying that the way he felt about his wife was anything less than adoration was dangerous. I smiled. I liked living on the edge. Kiana stepped between us.
“All right. Before Demon has Turner’s shut down and Paz gets us banned, can we please eat?”
“They wouldn’t dare ban me. Dante Ware likes me,” I joked, copying her claim from earlier.
Demon scoffed. “Dante don’t know you.”
“He knows enough.”
“What he know? That yo’ annoying ass is loud?”
I shrugged with a little smirk. “I believe he called me ‘delightful.’”
He smirked right back. “I bet Sherrilyn don’t know,” he said, speaking of his brother's wife.
Dream slid her hand into his and looked at me over her shoulder as the hostess collected four menus. She grinned.
“He missed you, too.”
“I did not,” Demon denied.
“Boy! You asked if she was coming three times,” she challenged.
“That was to know how much insect repellent to bring.”
I smirked at him. “See? You brothers can’t help it.”
The hostess led us through the main dining room. Turner’s was full, as expected. Soft conversation mingled with the sounds of the piano. Servers in white shirts moved carefully between the crowded tables. We kept walking, and I was listening to Kiana tell Dream about a spa she wanted them to visit on their upcoming trip to Port Isle when I saw Yoli.
She was seated at a round table near the windows with Saadiq and three members of the Hayashi family. I’d forgotten that they’d had to reschedule for tonight. Reign was there, too, sitting beside the younger son with her tablet somewhere nearby, no doubt, ready to take notes. Everyone appeared relaxed. Mr. Hayashi was speaking, and Saadiq listened with the focus that reassured clients he knew exactly how to make them richer. Even silent, he dominated the space.
His suit jacket was open, revealing a snowy white shirt covering his chest. His beard was freshly shaped, and the gorgeous AP on his wrist glinted in the low light. He looked a lot calmer than he had when I left his office. Then his eyes found me. I reminded myself to walk as his gaze traveled over me slowly enough to be inappropriate. It was so subtle, though, that no one else noticed. Heat flooded my body. I ignored it and gave him a small, reassuring wink. It meant, You look like you’re doing fine.
The corner of his mouth lifted. His head inclined once. That meant, I know. At least, that was what his arrogant ass probably meant. Yoli turned to see what had caught his attention. When she spotted me, her smile widened. She started to raise her hand, but a look from Saadiq stopped her before she could yell “Thickness” across one of the nicer restaurants in the city. I silently thanked him and continued following the hostess.
“That was your boss, right?” Dream asked.
“Yep!”
“You couldn’t tell from the way she was eye-fucking him in the middle of the restaurant, Baby?” Demon followed up.
Damn. I guess someone did notice.
I glared at his evil ass. “I wasn’t—” I stopped when Kiana and Dream both looked at me. “What? I can’t give the man a supportive wink? He has important clients in town.”
Demon grunted. “Supportive? That’s what y’all call it up here? Try ‘flirting.’”
This nigga… “Try silence. I hear it’s very flattering on old men like you.”
