I didn't mention that Cary was in the hospital, because it felt too private to share.
It wasn't until we were seated in the restaurant that Brett took off his shades, so that was the first time I got a glimpse of the shiner that encompassed the area from his right eyebrow down to his cheekbone.
"Jesus," I breathed, wincing.
"I'm sorry."
He shrugged.
"Makeup made it disappear on stage.
And you've seen me with worse.
Besides, I got a couple good hits in, didn't I?" Remembering the bruising on Gideon's jaw and back, I nodded.
"You did."
"So ."
He paused as the waiter came by and dropped off two glasses and a chilled bottle of water.
"You're dating Gideon Cross."
I wondered why that question always seemed to pop up at a time when I wasn't sure the relationship would last another minute.
"We've been seeing each other."
"Is it serious?" "Sometimes it seems that way," I said honestly.
"Are you seeing anyone?" "Not now."
We took some time to read the menu and place our orders.
The restaurant was busy and noisy, the background music barely heard over the hum of conversation and clatter of plates from the nearby kitchen.
We looked across the table at each other, sizing one another up.
I felt the thrum of attraction between us.
When he wet his lips with the tip of his tongue, I knew he was aware of it, too.
"Why did you write 'Golden'?" I asked suddenly, unable to hold back my curiosity a moment longer.
I'd been playing it off as nothing big with both Gideon and Cary, but it was driving me crazy.
Brett sat back in his chair.
"Because I think about you a lot.
I can't stop thinking about you actually."
"I don't understand why."
"We had it going on for six months, Eva.
That's the longest I've ever been with someone."
"But we weren't with each other," I argued.