Page 22 of The Surrender (Arlington Hall #2)

I’ve been a nervous wreck all day at work, worrying about dinner tonight with Jude and my friends, my concentration shot to bits.

I couldn’t even devote any attention to the fact that Sue mentioned in passing that she and Leo met at a friend’s anniversary party.

He said they met on the golf course, while he was smiling down at his pasta, rather coy.

It’s none of my business, but it would explain why Sue passed on a valuable client.

Wise. And I should be wise too, so I’ve decided I know nothing about Sue and Leo.

As I’m leaving work, Leighton exits his office, and I groan to myself, bracing for a strong dose of him. It would have been too good to be true, avoiding him two days on the bounce. He joins me on my walk to the elevators. I can smell the mockery brewing on him.

“Good day?” he asks.

“Great.”

“So you managed to fix your fuckup with the merger.”

I stop and take a deep, calming breath, before I get myself fired for assault on a colleague. “I didn’t fuck up.”

“Oh, okay. It looked like you fucked up, but fair do’s if you didn’t and even fairer do’s if you did and somehow managed to save the situation and convince the partners you were in control the whole time.”

My teeth grind together. “Are you done being a complete bellend?”

His hand slaps on his chest. “I thought we were friends.”

“Did you?”

“Would love to chat, but I’m off to meet Kimpton Kellers.”

My hand pauses on its way to the call button. “Kimpton Kellers?”

“Oh, you know him?”

“Who doesn’t?”

Leighton chuckles. How the fuck did he get a meeting with Kimpton Kellers? He’s a multimillionaire. Could even be a billionaire. “He’s got friends. Make it worth my while and I might connect you.” His eyebrows lift.

“Fuck off, Leighton.” I hit the button, my skin crawling, and step in the cart, groaning under my breath when I find there’s no one in it.

It’s just us—me and him. I put myself in the far corner, giving him narrowed eyes when he stands right next to me.

“There’s a whole thirty-six square feet for you to choose from, Leighton. ”

He ignores my observation, keeping his place. “We should definitely get together sometime. Talk about some of the ideas I have once I make partner.”

“We’ll do that if you make partner.”

He chuckles. “It’s a given, Amelia.”

He doesn’t know about Leo Lombardy. Actually, come to think of it, neither do I.

We had dinner, I established that it’s possible Leo is fucking Sue, and I didn’t secure his business.

Should I call him? I roll my eyes to myself.

You’re not a vulture, Amelia. Good old Tilda Spector.

I can’t call her either. And for the first time in my career, I question whether I’m cut out for this.

It’s feeling more cutthroat that ever before.

I still, stopping myself in my tracks. What the hell am I saying? Of course I’m cut out for this.

As soon as the doors open, I get my feet moving, feeling Leighton’s leery eyes on my arse.

“Have a lovely evening, Amelia,” he calls.

I shudder. I can’t be the only person around here who sees him for what he is.

A leech.

Jude is waiting outside the restaurant when I get there, looking delightfully delicious in a grey three-piece.

He spots me through the crowds of people as I approach, taking me in from top to toe, undressing me with his eyes.

“Look at the state of you.” He grabs me as soon as I’m close enough and hauls me into his body, sinking his face into my neck and sucking at my flesh.

Now is not the time for me to come over all hot and bothered.

My eyes widen when I feel his condition past his fly. “Pleased to see me?”

“You’re not allowed to look this fuckable all day when I’m not with you.”

Just try to rain on my parade right now. I lean back, my hands on the lapels of his jacket. “We still have the big debate to settle.”

“What debate is that, baby?”

“Seven or eight.”

He laughs loudly, his head thrown back and all, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes stretching. It’s such a sight to behold. My man. Laughing.

“Trying to impress?” I ask, straightening his tie even though it doesn’t need straightening. It’s perfect.

“They’re already in there.” He looks back at the restaurant door. “I thought it was safer to wait for you.”

“Chicken.”

Jude rolls his eyes and gives me a thorough checking over. “Do you feel okay?”

“Yes, I’ve told you each of the ten times you’ve texted and asked me that today.” I break away and pull the door open, ignoring his disapproving scowl. “Ready?”

“Did you get another one of those pen things from your doctor?” he asks, taking my hand and checking the bandage.

“I picked it up from the pharmacy at lunchtime.” I scan the restaurant and stop in my tracks when I see the guys. Abbie, Charley, and Lloyd.

And the babies.

My glower is instant. This means Charley and Lloyd couldn’t get a sitter, and Charley went against her strict seven o’clock bedtime rule because she couldn’t wait to get Jude under her microscope.

“What’s up?” Jude asks, pushed up behind me.

“Charley and Lloyd brought their brood.”

“Disgusting,” he breathes, making me look up at him. He smirks and takes my shoulders, leading me on. “It might lighten things up.”

“No, Charley will just put ear defenders on them when she wants to swear at you.”

“I have wide shoulders. I can take it.”

“You shouldn’t have to.”

“It’ll be fine. Stop stressing.”

We arrive at the table, and all three adults look up at us, only Lloyd standing. “Nice to finally meet you officially,” he says. “Lloyd.”

“Jude Harrison.” Jude accepts Lloyd’s hand before turning his eyes onto the girls.

“Good to see you again. Sober.” Both the girls smile, but Charley’s is tightest. I fear the worst. They won’t appreciate Jude’s not-so-subtle hint that he rescued them and delivered their drunken arses home, and therefore deserves a break. “And who are these two cuties?”

I laugh under my breath, and Jude looks back at me in interest. “Sorry,” I murmur.

“This is Elijah and Ena,” Lloyd says when Charley doesn’t speak up.

“Aunty Melia!” Elijah bounces in his booster chair, while Ena smacks the table of her high chair with a cup.

“Hey, you.” I lower to the seat Jude pulls out for me and help myself to the bottle of wine in the middle.

“What the hell happened to your hand?” Charley takes it, checking the dressing, reminding me that I’ve not seen her since the wedding.

“She had an argument with a glass,” Abbie pipes up as I reclaim my hand, catching Jude’s fleeting guilty look.

“Wine?” I ask him, as he pulls the knees of his trousers up and sits. Taking the bottle from me, he proceeds to pour for everyone, me first, him last. “Thank you.” I look at the girls expectantly, and both tilt their glasses a little in a half-hearted thanks too.

“Thanks, mate,” Lloyd says. I don’t miss the look his wife throws him. Disapproval. This is going to be tougher than I thought.

“So, what’s everyone having?” I pluck a menu out of the stand on the table and start scanning the options.

“No light conversation before we order?” Charley says, straight in, no foreplay. She smiles, it’s fake, and plucks a menu out too.

“As long as it is light.” I smile sweetly at her before turning it onto the server when she lands by the side of the table. “Hi.”

“Good evening.” She smiles at everyone in turn. “Can I check if anyone has any allergies?”

“Nuts.” Jude points to me. “Amelia’s allergic to nuts. Severely allergic.”

“Thank you.” I cast him a sideways smile. “I’ll take the lamb kebabs with yoghurt and mint dressing.”

“Are there any nuts in that?” Jude asks.

“No, sir, no nuts.”

“And there’s no chance of contamination, is there?”

“Not at all, sir.”

“Good.” He returns to browsing the options, satisfied.

“I assume the yoghurt and mint dressing is cool,” I say, popping the menu back.

“Yes, very cool.”

“Great. It’ll match my friend’s mood.”

Jude coughs, Abbie chuckles, and Charley glares at me. I lose myself in more wine and turn my attention onto Ena while everyone else orders, hoping the atmosphere improves.

“So tell me about Arlington Hall,” Lloyd says.

“It’s dead posh,” Abbie pipes in. “You wouldn’t fit in.”

“Fuck off,” he retorts, prompting Charley to slap her hands over Elijah’s ears.

“You’re welcome anytime,” Jude says around his smile.

“And me?” Abbie asks. “Got any special offers on spa days coming up?”

I turn a tired look her way, and Jude shifts on his chair, uncomfortable.

“Abbie,” I warn. She’s not being as cold as Charley, more sarcastic, but still. Is it really necessary?

“It’s fine.” Jude’s hand lands on my knee under the table and squeezes. “The spa’s free for you to use anytime, Abbie.” He looks at Charley. “And you too, of course.”

“Anyone would think you’re trying to buy our approval.”

“No, just being friendly.” Jude turns to Elijah. I don’t blame him. The kids are blissfully oblivious to the lingering tension and far more receptible to Jude’s graciousness. Jude picks up the dinosaur off the table, checking it out. “T. rex, huh?”

“Rahhhhhhh,” Elijah roars.

“Ooohhh, I’m scared,” Jude breathes, dropping the dinosaur on the table and backing off.

“You should be.” I give Lloyd eyes to suggest I need him to carry this conversation.

The panic on his face is endearing. “So do your parents live in Oxfordshire too?” he blurts.

My jaw becomes lax, and both Abbie and Charley shrink. They know Jude’s lost his parents. Lloyd doesn’t, because why would Charley think to mention that? Oh God. My poor man is getting all the heat from all directions.

“I lost my mum a few years ago,” Jude says. I see the struggle on him. And, again, no mention of his father.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Lloyd loses himself in his wine.

For God’s sake, someone change the subject. “Lloyd’s in cybersecurity!” I exclaim. Then I frown. “I think.”

He blinks in surprise. “I always thought you were being polite whenever you asked how my day went.”