While Adam wowed everyone with his tales from the field, I slipped away to get something to drink. So far, I’d managed to avoid alcohol while filming. Not that I wasn’t allowed or that anyone was worried I’d slip up if I became tipsy. Avoiding it had been my idea. Given a choice, I would’ve enjoyed an ale, but considering Tiffany was too good for beer, that option was off-limits. And while I didn’t mind liquor, it had a tendency to hit me harder, and the last thing I wanted was to be intoxicated on camera. So, needless to say, I’d avoided it altogether.
But not today.
I needed a drink, and I needed it to be strong.
I had no idea what the bartender had given me, but it was fruity and barely tasted of alcohol whatsoever. Once I finished it—which didn’t take me long—I asked for another. Unfortunately, I was halfway through the second one when I began to feel the effects of the first.
“Hey, girl.” Nicole startled me when she came up from behind and touched my elbow. In hindsight, it probably had more to do with the situation and the liquor than actually being taken by surprise. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I really am, thank you for inviting us. I just can’t get over how nice this place is.” Apparently, being tipsy made me forget that I had to be rude. Oh well, they could only ask so much of me and expect to get it.
“Just wait until you try the food. It took them almost a year to get the head chef to agree to come here. He’s unbelievably amazing in the kitchen.”
“Speaking of food…when will that be? If I don’t get something in my stomach now, someone’s going to have to peel me off the floor. Whatever this is”—I held up my glass that was half-filled with a pink liquid—“can knock anyone on their heinie.”
Nicole seemed a little uncomfortable when she giggled. “I don’t mean to be rude or anything, Tiffany, but I kind of prefer you more after a couple of these cocktails.”
“I’m sure you’re not the only one who feels that way.” I knew I’d get an earful about this later, but right now, I didn’t care. I had too many other things to worry about than being a nasty chib to everyone.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know that the food will be served shortly.”
She wasn’t wrong. Ten minutes later, we were all asked to take our seats, which had been assigned ahead of time. Adam and I made our way to a round table in the middle of the room. We were the first ones there, leaving the remaining four chairs open. My heart hammered away in my chest as I waited for those seats to be filled.
Jeannine and Michael approached us with their name cards in their hands. “Oh, thank God it’s you guys. I was so worried I’d have to sit with people I don’t know. There’s nothing more awkward than finding things to talk about with people I’ve never met before,” Jeannine said as she took the seat next to me, Michael taking the one on the other side of her.
As if sharing the table with the man my sister had slept with and his wife—who happened to be one of the sweetest, nicest people in the entire world—wasn’t bad enough, the other two chairs were quickly occupied by none other than Serenity and whoever she brought with her. Honestly, I didn’t care enough about her to even learn if she was married, engaged, dating…anything. I wasn’t interested in learning anything personal about her.
It was small talk while the appetizers were passed around. Adam knew enough about the situation—well, minus the fact that it was true—to be on alert during lunch. He seemed a little fidgety, but it didn’t appear to be noticeable to anyone else. Jeannine and I carried on a conversation between us about the restaurant and décor while Serenity’s date talked Adam’s ear off about sports. From what I could tell, Michael listened to their conversation as a spectator, and Serenity observed everyone around the table in silence. That was the part that worried me the most. It was almost like she was plotting my demise.
Still, the main courses for lunch came and went with no issue. Serenity even participated in our table’s discussions about the food, atmosphere, the chef, and the menu. I began to relax a little, even though I knew we still had dessert to get through.
Regardless of how full we all were, everyone was served a small bowl of fresh berries alongside one scoop of ice cream that was clearly made in house. I’d just tasted a bit of the frozen treat, trying to figure out what flavor it was when I heard Serenity say, “I think it’s wonderful that you all can be together like this despite the rumors going around.”
Adam and I stared across the table, likely waiting for the other one to react first. Except Jeannine beat us to it. “What do you mean? What rumors?”
“Oh, about Tiffany and Michael having an affair.” The way she said it was akin to the way someone would mention the weather. Very nonchalant, as if completely unaffected by it. Then she waved us off with a coy smile and breathy giggle. “You know how things get spread around this crowd.”
Jeannine turned to her husband, then glanced at me before settling her attention on Michael again. “What rumor?”
Feeling the need to step in, I patted her thigh under the table and leaned toward her. I wanted her
