Page 113 of Ruthless Dream

Henson appears at our table.

“Yes, thank you.” I smile wide.

I’ve since learned that Henson actually owns the bistro, along with several other businesses. Turns out he’s really big into money laundering, among other things.

He’s friendly with Ciaran, and as an extension of that, he always checks in on me when I’m here.

“Let me know if I can get you anything else.” He nods at the pair of us before heading toward the kitchen.

“What?” I ask Nat a second later.

She’s got a funny look on her face.

“What?” I ask again.

“I don’t know,” she says. “It’s just weird seeing you all grown up.”

I roll my eyes and stand up. “You’re always so affectionate.”

“I was being nice!”

Nat is telling me a story about a coworker she hates when we step outside.

“Oh, hang on.” A text comes in. “Rachel saw my Instagram story and realized where we were. She forgot her jacket here and wants me to check if it’s still at their coat check.”

“It’s summer. Why was she wearing a coat?” Nat asks.

“It was her trench coat, back in the spring. She was too shy to come back and ask about it.”

After a lifetime with Lennie, both Nat and I understand Rachel’s hesitation.

“I have to head back to work.” Nat hugs me. “You’re going to be all right?”

“Yeah, I’m just going to go check. I’ll send you photos of my bedroom when it’s all set up.”

“I’ll bring wine, and we can have a sleepover when it’s all set up.”

I blow her a kiss. “Aw, and here I thought you were too busy adulting.”

“Bye, little sis!” She waves as she heads to her SUV.

“Just give me one more second,” I tell Marco, ducking back into the bistro. The hostess stand is empty, but I know where they keep coat check, and I’ve been here so much no one seems to mind when I walk around.

I’m looking for a Burberry trench in a closet filled to the brim with stuff. Now that it’s summer, the room is also used as extra storage. There’s a rack with a few coats that I search through in the dark since I couldn’t find the light switch when I first came in.

I freeze when I hear a certain voice.

“It’s on for tonight.”

For a second, I think I’ve misheard Wallen. I still, my hand hovering over a coat hanger. I had no idea he was at the bistro. He must have come in after I’d gone off in search of Rachel’s coat.

“You sure about this?”

I have to focus in order to hear Henson.

The pair must be standing right outside. Movement has me sinking to the floor.

I know I’m in the wrong. There isn’t even time to pretend like this is cool. I’m actively hiding behind a coatrack and giant box full of crystal vases and tealights.