Page 72 of All Mine (The All Mine #1)

Etienne

Etienne had seen the steady stream of diners heading across the square since lunchtime and had felt ridiculously happy for Isabella.

His own restaurant was still full, showing there was plenty of opportunity for both of them.

He found himself craning his neck for a glimpse of her across the square several times during the day, but she’d be busy, and so was he, with a group booking of a French family reunion who told him The Bistro was a true taste of home.

He’d smiled to himself and promised to pass it on to the chef– though he didn’t tell them the chef was a larger-than-life cockney who’d never been across the Channel.

By the time the last customer paid, he was aching to see her.

Fred Barrow was already in bed and Mile End Mickey had closed the kitchen and gone.

She hadn’t texted ‘come over’ yet but he couldn’t wait any longer.

He did the quickest close down ever and turned off the lights.

All he could think of was seeing her, hearing about her first day, and then taking off her clothes, one by one by one.

His cock twitched at the thought. She was a drug and he couldn’t get enough of her.

All of a sudden, he understood Alex, the addiction, the compulsion to do something again and again and again.

Because he was well and truly addicted to Isabella.

He wanted to be with her every second possible.

He tucked his chin into his coat collar and set off.

The square was dark and quiet as Etienne crossed.

The fireworks were over. The clock chimed midnight and he couldn’t believe it had been less than a day since he’d seen her but he missed her this much.

He knew what it meant. He loved her. He’d never known the feeling before, this deep certainty, the warmth, the glow.

But he recognised it as though he’d been waiting for it his whole life.

He loved her. And he wanted to tell her tonight.

Tutto Mio’s main lights were off but there was still enough glow to see in from outside as he got closer.

The dining room was empty, the team had gone home.

As he neared the front window, he caught sight of a candle burning in the corner and smiled at the thought of Isabella sitting there waiting for him.

She was there. But she wasn’t alone. Etienne slowed, trying to work out what he was seeing.

Isabella sat opposite a man at the table, who had his head in his hands.

There was a strange kind of intensity between them.

Etienne had stumbled into the middle of something, he knew it.

Isabella spoke; the man shook his head, without lifting it.

Isabella shut her eyes and rubbed the spot between them as though thinking, before standing, putting a hand under the man’s arm and pulling him up from his seat.

Etienne saw the man’s face then, saw his floppy hair and knew who it was immediately. His chest sank but he couldn’t tear his eyes away as Daniel stumbled forward and wrapped his arms around Isabella.

Unable to help himself, Etienne stepped closer, not wanting to see but needing a clearer view.

Isabella disentangled herself and he felt a leap of hope. But then she secured her arm around Daniel’s waist, leading him across the restaurant to the stairs up to the flat. Daniel encircled her shoulders, leaning against her.

Etienne put a hand to his chest and watched as the door closed behind them on their way upstairs, before turning to walk away.