The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(19)

“Yeah, I love anything with spice.” Kate spotted a quirk in Michael’s lips as he held the door open for them.

The restaurant was around the corner in one of the most popular areas of Uptown Charlotte. They sat at a round table out front, and Kate found herself too close to Michael, even though they were across the table from each other. Anywhere within eyesight of the man was too close, though.

Kate quickly looked at her menu, pretending to have no idea what she wanted, buying herself some time before she’d have to get lost in his blue eyes again. She’d decided on their color, anyway.

Navy blue. For today, at least. It depended on what he was wearing tomorrow as to what shade she’d get lost in.

“So, how was New York?” Kate asked and stole a look at him above her menu.

“It was fine. But what I’m really interested in is to find out how the planning is coming along.”

“Bullshit,” Julia said almost immediately and reached over and slapped her brother’s chest. “Don’t be an ass.”

He reached for his collar, popped open the top button—tie already removed—and smoothed his hand over his shirt before resting it in his lap. “No, seriously. I’ve taken an interest,” he said casually as Julia stared at him with parted lips.

“Ohh.” Julia straightened her spine and looked at Kate.

“Well, we’re wrapping up the details—fine-tuning everything,” Kate finally answered, but she was worried about what Julia was thinking right about now.

Julia’s phone began to ring a moment later, helping diffuse the awkward tension that had begun to ping-pong back and forth between Kate and Michael.

“Sorry,” Julia muttered and glanced down at the caller ID. “Shit. It’s Aiden calling.”

“That can’t be good,” Michael responded. “Why’s he calling you instead of me?”

Julia rose to her feet, gripping the phone. “Business stuff he doesn’t want to trouble you with.”

“Well, tell him to call me later, okay?”

Shit, don’t leave me alone.

Kate watched Julia walk away with the phone pressed against her ear.

“Eh, so, who is Aiden?

“A friend of mine in Boston. We invested in his pub and, apparently, Julia has been helping him out more than I realized.” Michael’s hand wrapped up around to the back of his neck, and he squeezed. A thick band of tension had cut hard between them—the man had hardened before her eyes. What is with you? Was he worried that his friend might be hooking up with his sister? Julia had said Michael was overprotective . . .

Julia returned to the table after only a minute, thank God. “Ugh. Kate, I’m so sorry, but I need to fly to Boston today. I might need to be there for a little bit.” She lifted her purse and hung the strap over her shoulder. “Don’t worry—I’ll be back in time for the gala. I’m so sorry I have to bail on you right now.”

“Why does Aiden need you in Boston? Something wrong with the pub?” Michael pressed back in his seat, worry spreading across his face.

“He’s fine, but he says he’s not business-minded, so he calls me when he needs help. It’s nothing to stress about.” Julia came over next to her brother and patted him on the shoulder. “Really, I’ve got this. You can help Kate since you’ve developed such an interest in the ball.”

“If you say so. But that also means you’re going to miss our monthly poker game again. The guys are going to be so pissed.” Michael reached beneath the table and produced his cell phone a moment later.

“Looking for my replacement so fast, huh?” Julia chuckled. “Well, I’m sorry to exit in the midst of lunch, but I need to go book a flight and pack. I’ll call you later.”

Michael looked up from his phone and nodded. “Have a safe flight.”

“We’ll be fine. No worries.” Kate hoped, at least. She gave Julia a reassuring smile and waved goodbye, then focused on Michael as he stowed his phone back into his slacks pocket. “So, Julia plays poker?” How will I survive without her?

But she didn’t have a choice. She had a job to do. Plans to carry out.

“I taught her a long time ago.”

Kate smiled as she drew up images of her own past. “I taught my kid brother to play before he went into the military.”

“You play?” He stared at her, and his lips parted. “What got you into the game?”

Kate fiddled with the drink menu. “One of my boyfriends at Harvard liked to play. He used to compete in tournaments all of the time, and so I asked him to teach me. I fell in love with the game and continued playing even after we broke up. He had a bad gambling problem that I later discovered . . . but I thought the game was fun, and I even won a couple of local events.” She sighed. “I haven’t played in years. Ever since I began running my stepmother’s business, I never have time to have fun anymore.”

“You played in tournaments?” Michael scratched at his jaw. “I’m having trouble believing that you would sit at the table with poker sharks, and—” He stopped himself and shook his head, a smile threatening his lips. “Actually, I think you must be great at the game. All you need to do is bat your eyes and smile, and the players are putty in your hands.”