One of Us Is Dead(31)

A moment later, two servers arrived with two glasses and the bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice. One popped the champagne and poured it, while the other straightened the table and placed the bottle back into the bucket. I gave them a pleased smile and thanked them. I took a sip of the champagne; the cool, crisp bubbles made my tongue tingle.

I glanced down at my watch. Bryce was five minutes late. Of course, he’d make me wait just a little longer. I quickly pulled out a compact and ensured my makeup was perfectly set. Just as I placed it back in my purse, I spotted Bryce across the room. I waved and smiled. His lips were pressed firmly together as he gave a small nod and headed in my direction. I stood from my chair and went in for a hug, even though he was already half seated.

“Thank you so much for coming,” I said.

He patted my back and sat down. I made my way to my side of the table and took a seat across from him. I couldn’t help but smile. He grabbed his glass of champagne.

“Oh, a toast. Perfect,” I held my glass up. He pulled his from his lips.

“To us,” I said, and I clinked mine to his.

“Shannon, what are you doing?” He set the glass back down, raising an eyebrow. He leaned back in his chair, looking me up and down. It was clear he liked what he saw.

“Just greeting my husband.” I winked.

“Ex,” he corrected.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Potato, potahto,” I giggled.

“Have you been drinking?” he asked. “Because I don’t want to have this conversation with you if you’ve been drinking.” He put his elbows on the table and leaned toward me. “I mean it, Shannon. I don’t want another episode like last night.”

“Of course not. This is my first glass. Promise,” I lied. I had had a small cocktail—or four—at home.

He nodded. “Now, what did you want to discuss exactly? You mentioned living in Buckhead amicably.”

“First, let’s order food. I’m famished.” I picked the menu up and pretended to read it. I just wanted more time with him. I needed more time to explain why it would be in his best interest to get back together with me. He needed to see how good we were as a couple.

“Fine,” he said just as the server arrived.

“Can I start you off with some appetizers?” she asked.

Bryce shook his head.

“Yes, we’ll have one of each to start,” I blurted out. She nodded and walked away.

“I don’t have all night. I have some things I’m working on.”

“I know, babe. I understand more than anyone else how important your work is to you. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”

Bryce took a deep breath and grabbed his glass of champagne, taking a large gulp of it. The server returned with bread and some of the cold appetizers.

“So, how was work today?” I served myself steak tartar and a piece of bread.

“Busy,” he said while slurping up an oyster. Oh, it was like we hadn’t even missed a beat. Everything was just as it had always been.

I knew the girls were pissed at me for my behavior earlier, but I was just as pissed at them. None of them believed in Bryce and me. None of them had my back at the gala. But I knew that after we got back together, they’d all come around. They’d have to.

“Did you hear about the break-in at Glow? It’s such a shame. Jenny did not look well,” I said. Despite my own problems, I was absolutely gutted to have seen Jenny in that state earlier.

He nodded. “Yeah, Crystal was there when it happened. She’s shaken up, and I should be with her right now.”

I gasped. “Crystal was there? I didn’t know that.”

He let out a deep breath. “She wanted to go for a walk after everything that happened and had left her purse at Glow. When she got there, one of the men ran off, and the other was strangling Jenny. She shot her gun, and he ran off too.”

I brought a hand to my mouth. “She has a gun?” My eyes went wide.

Bryce didn’t answer. He just took a sip of his champagne.

I had no idea Crystal had basically saved Jenny, and now I felt a little guilty that I had arranged this meeting. But Bryce was mine first, and I needed him back if I was going to get my life back, so I charged onward.

Another set of appetizers arrived, and we placed our entrée orders. Bryce even asked for a second bottle of Dom Pérignon. It seemed he definitely wanted to be here . . . with me.

“Everything is so lovely.” I gestured to the food.

He nodded. “It is. This is my favorite restaurant in town.”

I patted my lips with a napkin. “I know.”

He gave me a sly smile. “It appears we can get along?”

“I think we can do way more than that.” I took a long, slow sip of my champagne while Bryce devoured another oyster.

“Right, I did want to apologize for my behavior last night,” he started.

“Oh, enough about that. It was all just a misunderstanding,” I interrupted while flicking my hand.

“No.” He put his hand up. “My behavior was out of line, and I apologize for embarrassing you. That was never my intention.” Bryce glanced around the room and then back at me. “I hope that we can move past it together,” he said with a smile.

I nodded and smiled back. “Of course.”