Chapter 27 A FEAST FOR A QUEEN.
LUCIEN'S POINT OF VIEW.
Sloane looked out ahead as she gave me directions to the grill.
"Turn here." She said, her voice small as I drove on the smooth road. The rest of the guys followed behind in their cars. This moment with her made me forget everything I'd been thinking of since that day at the spot.
I forgot about my supposed future wife arriving in less than a month at Ravenscroft, as well as the engagement gala my father has in the works for us as soon as she arrives. Sloane was never supposed to feel this read; I'd proposed our fake dating for one reason;
To experiment, to see if the thoughts and fantasies I had about her would feel as fulfilling as they did in my dreams.
Matt and Roxanne were a perfect reason to get her to me, and every day I've spent with her has me accepting one thing;
She can never leave me.
My father would just have to accept that his heir is the daughter of his secretary.
: Stop here." She ordered, breaking me out of my thoughts as I did as she said.
Looking ahead, my eyes ran over the small building with a rickety sign that read; MICK'S.
It looked nothing like the kind of life I was used to, and for some reason, my OCD threatened to flare at the thought of the possible dirtiness.
"Come on," Sloane said, her blue eyes running over me with a mix of hesitation and trepidation.
I nodded, turned off the ignition, and got out of the car. Opening her side of the car, she hopped out with a small sigh.
The rest of the guys joined us a moment later, as Theo gaped at the building with dread.
"Sloane,l princess, I swear, I'll get you anything you want; a designer bag, shoes, a dress...anything. Please, let's not eat here. What if there are rats inside?"
"This isn't ratatouille, Theo. Besides, you'll love it, I swear. They have the best food ever. Wait til you see the inside, they need serious renovations, but sales have been low lately. Please just try it, if you like it, maybe some of the guys at school will come here, and they can get business moving again."
She said, ever thoughtful of others. I fixed Theo with a silent stare, and he caught it immediately.
"Shut the fuck up," I said with my eyes, and he faced the building before muttering to whatever gods out there to save him.
Cassian looked away from his book for a second, as he regarded the building like it were something that didn't bother him, before turning to us and saying, "Are we doing this or not?"
Killian smirked and pulled Theo along as they headed into the grill with Cassian and Lucian following behind.
"Are you uncomfortable? We can go back if this is too much for you." She said.
I turned to look at her at that. Her blue eyes hit me with an intensity I'd never felt before, as they flashed with what looked like sadness and disappointment. I registered how she played with the sleeves of her jacket again.
She always did that whenever she was worried, anxious, or scared.
And my chest did that stupid thing it did whenever she was near me. It fucking flipped, and next thing I knew, I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers.
"It's alright. Wherever you are, I'll be there."
Her cheeks tinted pink at that, as she tightened her grip on mine with a small smile on her face.
Pulling her along, we followed behind the guys and walked into the grill.
I was hit with the scent of meat, cheese, and milk from the minute I walked into the grill, as different people walked about, either taking or receiving orders.
Sloane directed us to a table close to the windows, and we all had our seats.
Picking the menu card before me, I looked at the list of food items available, with what I hoped was a neutral expression. I could feel her eyes on me as I tried to remain focused on the menu in my hand.
"Scholarship girl, please help me." Theo groaned out loud as he slouched in his chair like a child.
"Yes, I agree. You know better than all of us when it comes to what to order here." Killian agreed, and Sloane looked at me with uncertain eyes as she bit her lips slightly in nervousness.
I nodded at her and squeezed her thigh softly. She blushed a deep shade of pink before grabbing the menu from my hands.
Her eyes perused the list of orders as she shifted slightly to my side.
"I think you should have the classic burger pack with vanilla ice cream. It's my favourite anyway, and I think it will do since it is your first time here."
I nodded in agreement, relishing in the smile that broke out on her face. She got up at that, as she made to leave the table.
I grabbed onto her hand, pulling her back to me. She stared at me in shock, as she grew another shade of pink; "What?" She asked, her voice low as she whispered low enough for only to hear.
The guys pretended to be on their phones, but I knew the group chat was on fire right now.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To get the food. I want to place the order first."
"I'm coming along." I stood, but didn't m; et go of my grip on her hand, as she led me to the counter.
"Sammantha? I wanna order." She called out, and in a few seconds, a busty woman walked out from behind the wall with a cheerful expression.
Her apron had different food stains on it, and her face had different patches of what looked like flour as she wiped her hands on a towel while she moved.
"Sloanie! Is that you?" Her boisterous voice filled the air as she walked the small distance to the counter.
"Yes, Sammie!" Sloane replied with a large smile on her face, and all of a sudden, I hated Samantha.
The smile on Sloane's face was one she had never given me, but she freely gave it to this woman in front of us without any reservations.
I wanted to confiscate that smile. To make it mine and mine alone, to hide it for the rest of the world before they stole it from me.
"Oh dear, where have you been?"
"School, Sammie. But soon, I'll be done." She responded.
"But after that, you'll have to head to culinary college, and you'll leave me behind," Sammantha said, spiking my interest.
Sloane's cheeks pinked as she averted my gaze.
"We want to order, Sammie." She swiftly changed the topic, but the damage was done.
I heard her loud and clear.
Sloane wants to go to a culinary college. I always thought she wanted to head for something academic.
With a soft squeeze of her palm, she turned to me with a small smile and a guarded expression. "We'll talk later."
We would.