Page 19 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Nineteen

RAVEN

T he line goes dead, and immediately, I start panicking.

What did I just agree to?

Glancing at the time, I notice I have the whole afternoon to get ready for a dinner I shouldn’t want to go to, but my treacherous heart says otherwise.

After the night at my dad’s I shut down, he’d annoyed the shit out of me with his behavior, and at the time, I was done with him.

But where James Smith is concerned, I’ll apparently take any scrap he sends my way and beg him for more.

So, what does that say about me? That I’m so desperate for him to notice me that I’ll roll over every time he says jump ? I groan and slap a hand to my face.

I just can’t figure out why he wants to spend time with me now ?

I know my dad said he’d ask James to take me for dinner, but he’s never done it before.

Is it because of the night at my parents?

It’s a pity date? And now he feels like he owes me something after giving me an orgasm without even really touching me?

My confidence is at an all-time low as I conjure up different scenarios in my head. Without even thinking about it, I snatch up my phone from the bed and text Mia.

911

Mia

Who do I have to kill?

No one… yet.

Mia

I’m listening *side eye emoji*

What does one wear to have dinner with someone?

My phone rings in my hand, and I glance down to see it’s Mia. I should have known I wouldn’t get away with it that easily.

“Hi?” It comes out as more of a question for some reason.

“When were you going to tell me you were going on a date with someone?” she squeals.

I sigh, rubbing my eyes. “It’s not a date. It's dinner with a… friend.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I brace my elbows on my knees and hang my head.

Mia chuckles. “Dinner? With a friend? ”

“Uh, huh.” I nod even though she can’t see me and bite my nail nervously. “Can you help me here or not?” I whine, throwing myself back onto my bed.

“Where’s he taking you?”

“Erm, I don’t actually know.”

She groans. “Fuck me, lady. Don’t you think you should have asked first? So you know what to wear?”

“He hung up on me before I could ask,” I exclaim, shoving the hair from out of my face and sitting up. “Are you going to help me or not?”

“My love, when have I not helped when you’ve needed it?” she points out, and I smile.

“Okay, fair point. Now get directing.”

“I prefer to be the one directed?—”

“Mia,” I shout. “Please, help me . I’m desperate here.”

She blows out a breath. “He must be someone pretty special to get you worked up like this. Dare I ask if you’ve finally forgotten about Daddy James?”

“I’m hanging up now,” I groan, pulling the phone away from my ear.

Just as I’m about to press the red button to disconnect the call and her cackling laugh, I hear, “The green sundress and sandals. Love you, bye.”

“Love you, bye,” I mumble back.

I spend the next few hours reading and trying not to freak out about dinner. My anxieties have gone haywire, and I’ve caught myself snapping the band on my wrist more than once to try and ground myself—it doesn’t work.

I always have a hair tie around my wrist, something my therapist suggested for when I’m feeling nervous or anxious.

I ping it against my wrist to bring me back to the here and now whenever I feel myself wandering.

I don’t have panic attacks as much as I used to; adult life—so far—has been kind to me, it’s more there out of habit now.

I’ve paced the entire dorm room at least four times in the last ten minutes, and I now don’t have a nail on my thumb where I’ve bitten it to shreds.

Finally, the time to get ready rolls around, and I take Mia’s advice, dressing in a green summer dress and sandals. I apply a small amount of makeup and a slick of gloss to my lips before throwing my curls up into a messy bun, a few tendrils escaping to rest around my face and neck.

Walking to the long-standing mirror in my room, I look over my outfit. Do I look okay? I mean, what does one wear to have dinner with your father’s best friend who spanked you and then made you come while bent over his lap?

Nope! That’s it, I’m not going .

I’m just going to call James back, rescind my acceptance, and stay home wallowing instead. It’s not like he’d care anyway.

I start removing my silver hoops when a knock sounds at the door. Regretting my life choices and now knowing I have no choice but to go, I quickly grab my bag and rush to the door, finding Danny standing outside.

“Are you ready to go, Miss Carter?” he asks with a kind smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Oh, I was expecting James,” I say, sadness lacing my tone.

Danny gives me an apologetic look. “Mr. Smith said to send his apologies. He got caught up at work,” he explains.

Danny’s in his 50s and has worked for my dad and James for years. Why he didn’t stay with my dad is a mystery, but it’s nice to see a familiar face. He’s wearing his usual suit and tie, his beard neatly trimmed, and his dark hair pushed back under his cap .

I nod. “Okay, thank you,” I respond as I follow him down to the car.

The drive is a quiet one, the radio softly playing in the background as I gaze out of the window.

We reach our destination in a short amount of time, and as I get out of the car, I glance around.

“Erm, Danny? Where are we?” I ask, my brow furrowed as I continue peering around.

We’re in some kind of warehouse area. One that looks completely hazardous and not at all safe. There are dilapidated buildings on one side, and on the other is a building that looks new, and completely out of place with its surroundings.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, Miss Carter.” Danny winks and gestures toward the newer building.

Placing one foot in front of the other, I begin the trek inside. I push open the door and gasp. It takes a moment for my brain to catch up with what my eyes are seeing. The inside is stunning. Danny was right, but why is this here of all places?

I take in the décor as I continue walking, the pale blue walls a contrast to the black and silver ornaments and furniture. The tables are laid out around the room, all of which are filled with customers, eating, drinking, and talking.

“Welcome to Diamond,” a voice says to my left.

I whirl around at the voice, feeling completely overwhelmed. “Oh, sorry,” I squeak, “I didn’t see you there.”

The blonde hostess, who looks around my age, smiles before asking, “First time?”

I nod, feeling more self-conscious than normal. I might have grown up with money and been used to a lavish lifestyle, but I still feel awkward in social settings, especially ones where I don’t know anyone and I’m on my own.

“Name?”

“Er, Raven Carter?” I reply, shuffling my feet and playing with the strap of my bag.

She looks down at the tablet in front of her, typing away. Finally, she says, “Ah, yes. Right this way, please. Mr. Smith is waiting for you.”

I follow her as we weave through tables until we come to a table in the back. The lighting is minimal, giving it a romantic feeling without making it feel like a strip club.

Giving a small smile to the hostess, I glance over to see James standing up.

“Raven, you look beautiful,” he says as he kisses my cheek. I lean into him, inhaling his smoky scent.

Stepping back, James pulls out a seat, and I slide in. The hostess gives me a menu before telling us our server will be with us shortly.

“What is this place?” I ask, glancing around.

“This is Diamond. It’s one of the best hidden treasures in town. Only a select number of people know of its existence.”

“It’s incredible,” I breathe out. “Like, truly incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Yes, it is,” James whispers.

Something in his tone causes me to turn my head toward him.