Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
The meal winds down, and Fabron invites us for some drinks in the hotel bar where he’s staying. Avril declines, citing an early morning meeting she has with the head of our marketing department, but Dane and I agree. It’s what you do in business, and as of the end of the dinner, nothing’s been decided.
Nothing will be decided tonight, but I know Dane will want to have as much discourse with Fabron as possible, and there’s no better way to do it than over drinks so tongues get a little loose.
When we’re situated in the bar and our cocktails sit before us at a low table set in a corner, Fabron picks up his gin and tonic and gives it a thoughtful stir. When he looks to Dane, he says, “I really want to make this happen, Dane. My company could be very good for your company.”
Dane nods respectfully. “There is much that we both could gain from an alliance, Fabron. But I am treading very carefully. Please don’t be offended by me taking my time with this proposition.”
“Of course,” he says lightly… almost dismissively, but I know damn well he’s not given up. He’ll bring the conversation back around before the evening’s over. But when he decides to change subjects, he does so with a flourish. He looks between the two of us and says, “I know you two have an incredibly tight friendship with Avril. And while we are friends, yes, we aren’t close friends. I’m curious… is she still seeing that doctor she’d been dating?”
My eyes meet Dane’s. Ordinarily when a man would try to pump information about Avril of a personal nature, we’d laugh it off. But if I was wondering whether something’s changed since she started going to The Wicked Horse, I have my answer now. Dane’s look to me is the one I’m giving him.
Oh, hell no, this French bastard isn’t going to make a move on Avril.
“She’s still dating him pretty seriously,” I find myself lying right to Fabron’s face. “I expect they’ll get married sooner rather than later.”
“They’ve been together several years, oui?” he pushes. “I’m surprised he hasn’t asked for her hand yet.”
Dane throws his own question in to Fabron. “How have things been going since your divorce?”
Fabron wrinkles his nose before taking a sip of his drink. “The divorce was contentious, and not because we fought over the crystal. She wanted part of Révéler Biotech, and well… that just wasn’t going to happen. I’m very glad that it’s resolved now.”
“Well, look elsewhere other than at Avril,” Dane says pleasantly enough, and one could even mistake his smile for amusement. But I know my friend well enough to know he’s standing up as Avril’s protector.
Fabron shrugs. “Plenty of beautiful women in the world. But very few as smart as your Avril.”
Dane bristles visibly because now the threat is not only to our friend, but to our COO. I can tell he’s not liking Fabron’s interest whatsoever, and I can’t figure out what bothers him more… the personal interest or his interest in her professionally.
As for me, I’ll admit I’m equally bothered by both, but I don’t have the right to be bothered by one of them. What Avril does with her personal life isn’t any of my business anymore. I sort of took Dane’s advice. I decided to accept what happened at The Wicked Horse that night, and I’ve decided to move on.
I’m just not sure where moving on will take me.
CHAPTER 9
Dane
I manage to wind down our conversation with Fabron after about an hour, claiming I’ve got to get up early like Avril.
But like Avril, I’m also lying about that being the reason for leaving.
Avril didn’t back out of drinks with Fabron because she had an early morning meeting. She’s always in early, no matter how late she stays out.
Avril, like me, wanted the evening to end because we both had intentions of going to The Wicked Horse tonight. For the past three weeks, we’ve run into each other there on occasion. We sometimes converse, but most often we try to ignore each other. Not because it’s awkward—as peace has been made with the fact that we’re friends and partners who share the same sex club—but mainly because I think we both subconsciously realize it’s dangerous to become too involved with each other while there. I’ve watched Avril from afar these last few weeks, and she’s become more bold and adventurous. She’s opened herself up to the experience and doesn’t shy away from much of anything. It’s sexy as fuck but also messes with my mind because there hasn’t been a time I haven’t watched her in action and didn’t want to get in on it.
But I’ve stayed back and removed, and we carry on as professionals and friends when we’re outside the club.