Page 12 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Nine

D orian loved when she and her sisters got together, and now that Raven had married into the family, Dorian had four sisters. The way her sister-in-law fit in with the Priestlys, it was as if Raven had been a part of the family forever.

They all had just left the spa, and Dorian felt well pampered after receiving everything from a full-body massage to a French pedicure.

It was amazing how taking a few hours out of the day to sit back and relax could make you feel as if you were riding on a fluffy cloud.

Their monthly spa days were not only a treat for her body, but also her soul.

It wasn’t a cheap expense, but with Cree being part owner of the luxury spa, they were treated to a couple of services.

Otherwise, Dorian knew she wouldn’t be able to afford the lavish experience.

Now they were getting ready to have brunch at her sister, Essence’s, favorite restaurants located inside a downtown hotel. Dorian hadn’t been there before, but she had heard the food was scrumptious, and as a foodie, she loved trying new dishes.

While they waited at the hostess stand to be seated, she glanced across the crowded restaurant. Hopefully, they’d get a table near the windows so she could check out the city views.

“Did you make a reservation?” Cree asked Essence as they all took a few steps back to make room for a small group of people who were getting ready to be seated.

“I did, but we’re actually a little early,” she said. “Let’s sit on that settee over there or at least move farther away from the hostess stand.”

They did as she suggested, choosing to remain standing instead of grabbing a seat.

“Essence, I’m loving your jumpsuit. Is it new?” Dorian asked.

Her sister didn’t dress up often, but since she’d been losing a little weight, Dorian had noticed the subtle changes to her wardrobe.

“Thanks, Sis. Yes, I went shopping last weekend, and this was one of my purchases,” Essence said as she adjusted the thin belt on the outfit.

The beige jumpsuit with a green and tan geometric pattern had short-sleeve batwings and wide pant legs that complemented her full-figure. It was bolder than what she normally wore, which was mostly scrubs since she was a nurse.

“I’m guessing our dear sister has a man because she’s been dolled up the last few times I’ve seen her,” Cree said with a slight smile and a knowing look.

“Nope. I dress for me and no one else.” Essence might’ve denied their sister’s claim, but the way she blushed and looked away made Dorian think a new man was in the picture.

“Essence?” the hostess called out, and they all stepped forward. The tall, rail-thin woman dressed in a stylish black and white dress offered them a smile. “You can follow me.”

She took them through the maze of tables, and Dorian realized the restaurant was larger than she originally thought.

Clearly, she and her sisters weren’t the only ones deciding to squeeze in brunch today.

Almost every table and booth were taken, and tons of servers hustled about taking orders and delivering food.

“Is this okay?” the hostess asked when she stopped at a table next to the wall of windows.

“It’s perfect,” the sisters said in unison, then laughed.

As they took their seats, Dorian’s gaze wandered to the spectacular view outside the huge windows.

Though there were a lot of tall condominiums, apartments, and office buildings surrounding the hotel, the view was stunning.

It was probably even more breathtaking at night.

She could even see a little of Lake Michigan between the buildings.

“How’d you hear about this restaurant?” Raven asked Essence.

“One of the doctors at the hospital had a catered event here in the hotel, and the food was so good. Between that, the ambiance, and the incredible views, I came back again one day for lunch. Like the first time, the experience was great, and now I eat here at least once or twice a month.”

“Well, so far this was a good choice. I’ll have to bring your brother here one day,” Raven said as she opened her menu. “If the food is as good as you say, we’ll add it to the rotation.”

Since they had several family members, including Dorian, willing to babysit the twins whenever they needed a break, Raven and Zion were able to get in a weekly date night.

The server came to the table, introduced himself, then took their drink orders.

“How are my niece and nephew doing?” Cree asked Raven. “I haven’t seen them in a few weeks.”

“ Girrrl, they are growing so fast,” she said of the five-month-old babies.

“They are giggling, reaching for things to put in their mouth, and they’re more active in playing with toys.

Yesterday, while Andrew was on his play mat, we caught him on his stomach, rocking forward trying to reach a toy that was out of his reach.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts crawling in another month or two. ”

“Wow, I know they’re almost six months old, but isn’t that kind of soon?” Nyla asked.

“Babies develop at their own pace, and some do start crawling at six or seven months,” Essence offered.

She worked in the pediatric ward at the hospital and was wonderful with children.

It had been hard for her as a teen mom, but now her son Tray, who had just turned eighteen, was headed to college in the fall.

Dorian was curious to see how her sister would handle being an empty nester, especially since she’d been dubbed a helicopter mom.

When their drinks arrived at the table, and the server asked if they were ready to place their orders, only Nyla was ready. The rest of them still hadn’t decided on what to eat and requested a few more minutes.

“I’ll be back. I’m going to run to the restroom,” Nyla said. “If the server comes to the table before I return, order me the skillet dish with thick bacon on the side.”

After she left, conversation started up again, but this time they all perused the extensive menu while chatting.

There were so many interesting items to choose from that Dorian was tempted to order more than one entree.

She eventually settled on the stuffed poblano peppers and a side of pistachio carrots.

“You didn’t say anything about your date from the other night,” Cree said to her, and Dorian almost groaned.

The only person who knew details about the date, and how mad she was at her mother for the matchmaking, was Raven.

Nyla used to be Dorian’s main confidant since they were so close in age, but she was so busy with marriage and running her jazz club, they didn’t talk as much.

Dorian found herself chatting more with Raven.

“It was interesting. I shouldn’t have gone out with him again since I knew I wasn’t really feeling him. Except maybe as a friend, but after that night, he’s history.”

Dorian told them about shooting pool with Glen, and the more she thought about the night, the more she realized she should’ve ended the date sooner.

She had vowed to herself, earlier in the year, that she was no longer dating just to be dating.

That meant not going out with anyone who she couldn’t see herself having a future with.

No sense in wasting their time or hers, especially since she was ready to fall in love, get married, and have a few kids.

But now she was taking a step back regarding her dating life.

It was mentally and emotionally exhausting getting to know men and weave through the BS that some of them dished out.

Maybe she’d get lucky and her Mr. Right would just fall into her lap, which was highly unlikely.

At any rate, she was done. All she had to do now was keep her mother off her back.

“Tell them the rest,” Raven said, a twinkle in her eyes.

Her sister-in-law had been angry about the reckless driving part of the story. Especially since some teens, who were joyriding, had slammed into her car a few months ago. She and the twins had been rushed to the hospital, and her car had been totaled.

But when Dorian told Raven about Glen getting pulled over by officer Lynix Mathews, Raven had laughed for a solid minute. According to her, the incident was a sign that she should’ve been on a date with Lynix instead of Bonehead Glen .

Dorian trusted her sisters to keep her business to themselves, mainly away from their mother, but the last part of the date was almost too embarrassing to share.

Still, she told them about Glen’s driving, Lynix pulling him over, and then driving her back to the B&B to pick up her car.

She also told them about how Lynix had been asking her lately why she kept turning him down.

Cree already knew of his interest, and Essence admitted she’d suspected something was up between them.

Mainly because of their behavior during Zion and Raven’s wedding reception.

The more than usual bantering between them.

Stolen glances at each other. She had also noted how Lynix kept hovering, which was something Dorian hadn’t noticed.

“When Glen refused to pull over, you should’ve called the cops right then and there. Or hell, even pretended to call,” Cree said, anger in her tone.

Dorian wasn’t like her. She didn’t speak up half as much as she should.

She also tended to give people too many chances, as well as give them the benefit of the doubt.

She also didn’t like the idea of anyone getting into trouble because of her.

Calling the cops on Glen could’ve landed him in jail for his driving shenanigans.

Though he might’ve deserved that, she wouldn’t have wanted to be the reason for it.

“You know, I get why you’re hesitant to go out with Lynix. But if you’re interested in him, which I know you are, maybe go out with him at least once,” Essence said, which surprised Dorian. “It might be fun.”

She and her oldest sister were the most alike of all of them.

Like her, Essence was introverted, didn’t like drama, and never dated the proverbial bad boy.

Though she didn’t date much, she typically gravitated to men who were considered a “nice guy” who were also clean cut and had professional jobs.

But maybe her sister was right. Maybe Dorian should at least spend some time with Lynix—away from her family.

Normally, when they were in each other’s presence, some of her family was around.

Except for him being a babe magnet, there was so much she didn’t know about him.

Yet, there was so much about the man that appealed to her.

Like seeing his twin dimples that were sometimes barely visible because of the scruff on his cheeks.

Then there was his sense of humor, his generosity, and she liked how attentive he was with her.

And after the other night, she had to include the fact that he looked damn good in his police uniform.

Despite being pissed at herself and at Glen, seeing Lynix had made her body hum with need.

The man was big, bad, and intimidating on any given day, but in his uniform?

He looked downright lethal… and yummy if she was being honest.

That, along with how sweet he was to her the other night had her thinking about him more.

Her curiosity about him was piqued, but going on a date with him still gave her pause.

Yet her defenses were weakening. Maybe they could hang out without dating.

She wasn’t sure if that would be enough for him, but right now, it was all she was willing to do.

Nyla rushed back to the table and dropped down in her seat with a huge grin on her face. “Dee, you are never going to believe who I just saw on the other side of the restaurant. Guess who.”

Dorian rolled her eyes and shrugged. “Serious, Nyla? It could be anyone. I wouldn’t even know where to start guessing. Just tell me.”

“Lynix!” she whisper-shouted. “And you’re never going to believe who he’s in a meeting with—your old boss, Shauna, and your loser ex-boyfriend whose name shall not be mentioned.”

“ What ?” Dorian said, the word barely audible. “Why on earth would he be meeting with them?”

Shauna had been Dorian’s direct supervisor when she worked for Concept Marketing Agency.

As for Dorian’s ex, Rodney, the loser, had worked for the company as well.

She and he had kept their budding relationship quiet, or so she’d thought.

Ultimately, he had betrayed her in the worst way, and her work environment had become too toxic to remain at the company.

And now they were meeting with Lynix?

“I think I heard somewhere that Lynix’s family recently took over ownership of this hotel and restaurant. Maybe your former coworkers are trying to drum up some business,” Cree said, and learning his family owned the place surprised Dorian just as much as knowing he was there.

Nyla tapped her fingers on the tabletop. “I think you should go over there and see what’s up. What if they are trying to get his family’s business? You could stop him before he makes a mistake.”

“She has a point,” Cree added and picked up her strawberry mimosa and took a sip.

“Most importantly, you look hot! ” Raven added, and the sisters chuckled . “ Girl, this is the perfect opportunity for you to show your ex how good you look, while you swoop in and save your new man.”

“Lynix is not my man, but I don’t want him to get involved with those two,” Dorian said. The agency as a whole did good work, but Shauna was a shark. As for Rodney, he was still trying to make a name for himself at the company, no matter how many bodies he had to walk over.

“How do you know it was a meeting?” Dorian asked, wondering if she should crash their meet up or just mind her business.

“By the way, your ex was talking with his hands and periodically pointing to the electronic tablet in front of him. He was definitely pitching some idea.”

“I don’t normally agree with Nyla,” Cree said, ignoring the way Nyla glared at her. “But what could it hurt to stop by and say hi? Considering Lynix’s behavior the last time I saw you two together, I’m sure he’d love to see you. Just go over and act like you have a right to be in his face.”

Dorian shook her head. She wished she had half the confidence and badassness as Cree. As an entertainment lawyer and a former stripper, the woman always walked into a room and carried herself as if she owned the place.

If Shauna and Rodney really were trying to get his family’s business, he should get a heads-up on who he was dealing with. Maybe Dorian could dig deep and tap into her inner Cree and somehow become a part of the meeting. Lynix might thank her later.

Dorian set her cloth napkin on the table. “Okay, Cree, tell me what to do.”