Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding #3)(23)

Lexi sat up straight and swallowed. “He knows that I’m meeting you.”

Ramsey knew that she had agreed to meet John to straighten things out. He didn’t really need to know much more, just like Chyna.

John brushed her hair off her neck, his fingers skimming the soft skin. Lexi shivered at the touch.

“That’s what I thought.”

Lexi bristled at that comment. She wasn’t hiding this from Ramsey. She just didn’t want to cause him to unnecessarily worry.

“He doesn’t have anything to worry about,” she said.

John walked around the table and took the seat across from her. He just cocked his head and smiled at her.

“What?” she asked. She didn’t want to be flustered by that look.

“I highly doubt that he’s not worrying. If I were him, I’d be worried.”

“I don’t see you as the worrying type,” Lexi said, deflecting.

John chuckled. “No, I suppose I’m not. I never really have been.”

Lexi wanted to swipe that smug look off his face. She was reconsidering coming here. She hadn’t wanted to in the first place, but after he had convinced her in Atlanta, she had somehow convinced herself that it wouldn’t be that bad.

But now, she was remembering what had drawn her to John in the first place. He was arrogant, practically to a fault, and instead of it coming across as cocky and irritating, he just seemed to exude sexuality. He was used to getting his way, and when Lexi had been depressed after another failed relationship, she had been happy to let him have his way. She hadn’t put up a fight at all.

Now, she had to start building a brick wall against his charm. It wasn’t exactly easy.

Before she could say anything, the waiter arrived with a rather expensive bottle of red wine that he had John taste before pouring. John proceeded to order a three-course meal for both of them, including an eyebrow-raising expensive caviar that only a connoisseur could appreciate. Lexi didn’t even know if she liked caviar, but she was sure that she could have tried it somewhere else for less than that price.

She remembered then why she had avoided these kinds of places. Not only did they cater to the rich and powerful, but the waiter also hadn’t even checked with her once to see if what John had ordered was what she wanted. She was sure it would be delicious, but it was a personal preference. She could order for herself. She had been doing it for twenty-five years after all.

It reminded her of the time that she had thought Ramsey was going to take her somewhere this fancy. Instead, he had taken her to a picnic at Stone Mountain with a laser show and fireworks included. He had made it romantic without showing opulence. She liked that about him. He never had to take her to fancy dinners or made her feel helpless to try to win her over. If John thought this would work on her, he was going to have to try harder—not that she wanted him to try harder.

“So, have you changed your mind about Ramsey Bridges yet?” John asked with a smile that said he knew she hadn’t.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Well, I have the rest of dinner then,” he said, checking the large Rolex on his wrist.

“John…” Lexi said, trailing off when his hazel eyes met hers again.

“So, let’s start from the beginning.”

She turned her head to assess him. “The beginning of what?”

“Of what made you change your mind about Ramsey.”

“Have you never gone back to an ex before?”

She found that hard to believe. Her world had been full of walking in and out of Jack’s life and now Ramsey. It was something she had grown accustomed to. Sometimes, people deserved second chances—and in her world third, fourth, fifth…

“Once.” He didn’t elaborate.

“So, it didn’t work out? And now, you’re going to try to apply one situation to all of them?” she asked.

“No. All situations are different. Mine…was an exceptional circumstance anyway. I just want to know what your exceptional circumstance was.”

Had there ever been an exceptional circumstance that had brought her back together with Jack or Ramsey? Jack…no. She knew there hadn’t been. They had just kept crossing paths and falling back into bed, drowning in years of lust and love, and they had never been able to tell the other one no. Ramsey…well, she didn’t know. He had lied about so much—Parker…mostly, Parker. But he was trying to change, and his heart was in the right place.

She didn’t even know where to begin.

“So, I’m guessing there isn’t one?” he asked.

“What’s yours?”

“She quoted Oscar Wilde when she asked for us to get back together.”

“What?” Lexi asked. “You’re not serious.”

“No. Though, she did quote Oscar Wilde. Can’t hurt.”

Lexi laughed softly and took a sip of her wine. The waiter returned with the first course, and she picked at the appetizer before her. She didn’t even know what it was, but it was good.

“Oscar Wilde is your exception.”

“The man was a genius. What’s your exception?”

“I don’t have one,” she admitted.

Blue eyes maybe. She almost chuckled to herself at the thought. Stupid f**king blue eyes.