to his needs. We want to get him on board. The more partners he sees, the more likely he is to sign the contract. Plus, my dinner plans fell through, so I didn’t want to miss the chance to meet your wife.” Samantha put her hand on the back of my chair and looked between me and Rose. “You don’t have a problem with me being here, do you, Jack?”
“Why would I have a problem with it?”
“All right then.” Her red lips curved up in a smile as she leaned down and pressed a kiss on my cheek. I stiffened, and it didn’t escape her notice. “Relax, Jack.” Rolling her eyes, she laughed at herself. “Old habits, sorry.” Putting down her black clutch on the table, she leaned forward and, in the process, her breast pressed against my shoulder. As she shook hands with Rose, I pushed my chair back and moved a few inches to my right, closer to Rose to leave more space for Samantha.
“Samantha Dennis,” she said. “The fourth partner in the firm.”
Surprising me, Rose didn’t even hesitate before responding. “Rose Hawthorne. I would be the wife, as you already know.”
“Yes, I do know. I actually didn’t believe it when I first heard he had tied the knot, but here you are.”
Rose’s smile turned up a notch, matching Samantha’s. “Here I am.”
Dismissing Rose, Samantha pulled her chair out and looked at Fred, giving him a more genuine smile. “Fred, Evelyn isn’t joining us tonight?”
“The kid caught some stomach virus from one of his friends, so she stayed home with him.”
I was still annoyed with Samantha’s kiss so I didn’t even think what I was doing. “Samantha has been dating the district attorney for the last year and a half,” I blurted out to Rose quietly then frowned at the table and picked up my water glass. This wasn’t a real marriage, I didn’t have to tell her about my old relationships. If sleeping with someone a few times four years ago would count as a relationship that is.
What the hell is wrong with you?
“That’s good. I guess. Good for her?” Rose whispered in confusion.
I put my arm around Rose’s chair. She stiffened even further, so I leaned down to speak into her ear. “This is not acting natural.” She was reaching for her glass, and as soon as the first word was out of my mouth, she almost knocked it down. Maybe I was too much in her face.
“Oh, sh…oot,” she exclaimed quietly. A little color touched her cheeks and she apologized to Fred, who had reached forward to catch her glass.
“Wes is pulling up—he was stuck in traffic,” George explained as he returned and took his seat again. “Samantha, glad you decided to join us.”
“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
As the three of them started to talk among themselves, Rose scooted back in her chair, met my eyes for a quick second, and leaned sideways toward me. I leaned down until her mouth was closer to my ear to make it easier for her and so no one else could hear what we were saying.
“I am acting natural,” she whispered.
“You haven’t looked at me once since we sat down. At least try to act as if you don’t mind my company.”
Her head was bowed as I was whispering into her ear, but as soon as I finished speaking, she pulled back a little and looked up into my eyes with surprise.
“Got caught up in New York traffic. There was a small accident a few blocks away—a guy rammed into a cab. Please forgive me,” Wes Doyle said as he rounded the table. “Good evening everyone.”
Rose and I had to pull away from each other to start another round of handshaking, and as soon as the introductions were done, everyone finally settled down.
The waiter showed up again, and the next few minutes passed with everyone ordering their drinks.
“No menu?” Rose asked discreetly when everyone was distracted.
“This restaurant is known for the prix fixe menus. The chef changes it every few nights. He is supposed to be very good. It’s seafood night, I believe.”
She nodded and pulled away from me. Before I could catch her attention and ask what was wrong this time, the first course arrived: seared scallops with an almond vinaigrette served on a half shell.
Because Wes Doyle was someone who would be considered a big fish, everyone around the table started with their promises and assurances that he’d be on