Page 32 of Saving Stella
“It’s fine.” His throat went dry. “You sound like you really enjoy living there.”
“I don’t think I can be anywhere else. I wouldn’t want to be too far from my parents,” she added. “And really, where else would I live?”
Cliff didn’t know what to say to that. Thankfully, their server had arrived, bringing a tray of desserts and coffee and tea. It all looked delicious, but Cliff had lost his appetite. He shoveled the rich confections into his mouth anyway, even though he could hardly taste them.
“That was amazing,” Stella proclaimed once all the food was gone. “Thanks so much for bringing me here.”
“It was Devon and Charley’s plan,” he said flatly. “I was just your substitute date.”
She blinked. “Date?”
“I mean … no.” Damn it. “Er, it’s getting late, I should probably get you back to your hotel.”
“Oh.” There was an obvious disappointment in her voice. “You’re right, of course.” Straightening her shoulders, she reached for her purse. “How much?—”
“It’s all taken care of. Devon took care of it, I mean.” He pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “If you want to wait outside, I’ll go to the garage and pick you up out front.”
“N-no!” She got up quickly. “We should just walk together.”
“Whatever you want.”
After thanking the server and asking her to relay their regards to Dominic, Cliff led Stella out of the restaurant and to the car. Much like their first car ride together, this one too had been silent and awkward, like someone had sucked out all the oxygen from the vehicle. Though he concentrated on the road, he could see from the corner of his eye that several times, she would attempt to say something, but quickly stopped herself.
Good.
This afternoon had been a fluke, a moment of weakness on his part. He’d been thinking about her since they met, and a few hours alone had made him drop his guard.
But seeing as she lived in the one place he would never step foot in again, there was no reason for them to be more than just cordial.
“So, thanks for the ride,” she said as the car stopped in front of their hotel.
“You’re welcome.”
“Um, so maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?” Her fingers fiddled with the seat belt. “I mean, I’m assuming that party is still on.”
Fuck, he’d forgotten about the party. Charley had mentioned it and everyone was going to be there—his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. “Better check in with Charley and Devon on that one.” He prayed that they would cancel it and then he wouldn’t have to see her again, at least not for a while.
“Yeah.” More awkward silence stretched between them, until her hand slid down to the seat belt buckle, the audible click breaking the tension. “Good night, Cliff.”
“Night,” he responded without looking at her. When the door closed, he smacked his forehead on the steering wheel.
His wolf let out an audible growl that sent a vibration across his chest.
I know, he sighed.
He was an ass, treating her like he did before their afternoon and their dinner together. Everything had felt so right up to that point she had mentioned Vegas.
His teeth ground together so hard, it hurt. He had spent the last few years forgetting about the events of that night and that town. And yet still, any reminder of it had him raging and spiraling back as if the wounds were fresh.
Lifting his head, he gave one last glance at the hotel before he put the car in gear. If the party pushed through tomorrow, he would just have to avoid her.
Chapter 6
“It’s so nice of your cousin to let us have the party at her place last minute,” Stella said to Charley.
“I know. I’m so glad Astrid and Zac let us have it here.”
Devon had originally planned to have the get-together at his penthouse in Manhattan, but thanks to the press surrounding the building, they had to make other arrangements. Thankfully, Charley’s cousin and her husband owned a house in the Hudson Valley, a few hours away from New York City, and they offered to host.