“Yep, slid the ring on my finger and wheeled his suitcase out to the waiting Uber.” The smile on my face hurt. I took another healthy drink, hoping to lubricate my facial muscles to make the action of smiling easier.
“All right, I have an early morning tomorrow. Are you ready to head out?” Cole tapped the table three times with his knuckles before he stood and helped Aurora out of her seat.
He then moved to help Jules stand. When she wobbled on her too high heels, he grasped her elbow to steady her.
“Jules, why don’t you ride home with me?” I asked, moving out of my seat.
“She can’t,” Mr. Easton said, his hand dropping to his side. It almost appeared like he was going to help me out of my seat.
“Why not?” I snapped, annoyed for no reason.
“Because I drove you here,” he responded with his annoying droll tone.
“Yes, I know, I was there. I was thinking you could take me and Jules back to my car and I can take her home.” I mimicked his tone, even throwing in an eyeroll to really drive my point home.
“That’s ridiculous,” Cole said, his hand still grasping Jules’ elbow. “I’ll take Jules home in her car, and Aurora can take my car home.”
“Sounds like a plan. See you guys tomorrow to start the campaign.” Aurora snatched the keys out of Cole’s hand, kissed him on the cheek, kissed Mr. Easton on the cheek, and skipped off.
“Is that okay with you?” I asked Jules, not wanting to put her in a position she wasn’t comfortable with.
Jules glanced up at Cole, her glassy eyes taking him in. I held my breath while I waited for her answer. Cole had enough baggage raising his sister, he didn’t need to take on Jules’ issues as well, which he would only be privy to for less than a week anyway.
“Yeah, it’s fine. Go get your car and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jules and I stared at each other, having a silent conversation. A one-sided conversation, because Jules’ face was shut down from any emotion.
When Jules and I hugged, I whispered in her ear, “Don’t break him, he’s our newest investor.”
“It’s not like that,” she whispered back.
Cole guided Jules out of the restaurant with his hand on her lower back.
Easton and I watched them go.
“Should I worry?” he asked.
“I think so.”
Mr. Easton turned the heat on when I got into the car. I practically purred when the heated seat engulfed my tired body.
“How did you and Jules meet?” Easton asked, the car’s engine humming me into relaxation.
“Huh?” I asked, snuggling deeper into the leather seat.
“Are you falling asleep?”
I must have been sleepy because I thought he almost sounded amused instead of his normal annoyed tone.
“No, I’m just resting my eyes. I had a long day, and I haven’t been sleeping very well.” I rolled my head over to look at him, and I was surprised how heavy it felt on my neck.
“Where do you live?” he asked, exasperated. His finger was poised over his car’s GPS, ready to punch in my address.
I mumbled the address, my muscles liquid from not having to be in control of my life at the moment.
“Don’t drool on my upholstery, it cost more than you will make from my company this year.”
I smiled, too tired to talk back.
Chapter 10