Chapter 61: The Real Date

Kyle’s P.O.V

As I drive out of the parking lot at Edmund’s company, the cool night air rushing through the window of my car, and I feel the weight of everything that’s just happened sinking in. The conversation with Elyse keeps replaying in my head—his questions, his desperation, his confusion. I can still see the look on his face when I told him it was over; when I told him he needed to make a choice. That moment, when he couldn’t give me an answer, hit me harder than I thought it would.

I’d told him that I had a date. And, technically, I wasn’t lying. But I wasn’t telling the whole truth either. My “date” wasn’t some romantic night out with a new person. Hell, it wasn’t even a date in the traditional sense of the word. I’m meeting someone tonight, sure, but it’s not what Elyse would expect.

The guilt creeps in as I make a turn onto the main road, heading towards the restaurant. I can’t stop thinking about how Elyse had looked at me—like I was abandoning him; like he didn’t deserve to be treated like this. And maybe he didn’t. But he also wasn’t making any damn decisions about us.

He was too caught up in his own confusion, in his own guilt, to see what was right in front of him. He kept clinging to his denial about Cam, refusing to confront the truth. And I couldn’t wait around forever for him to figure it out.

But still, the guilt lingers. Because damn it, I *did* care about Elyse. And even though I told myself I had to move on, to stop letting him pull me back in, part of me felt like an asshole for how I’d handled things. I didn’t want to hurt him. I really didn’t. But if I kept letting him walk all over me, kept waiting around for him to decide what he wanted, I’d end up right where I was before—stuck in a cycle of waiting for Elyse to make up his mind, while I got nothing in return.

I take a deep breath, pushing the thoughts of Elyse out of my head for the moment. He’s got to make his choice. I can’t keep living in this limbo.

I had already warned Elyse. I had told him, in no uncertain terms, that he needed to make a choice. But the fool—he chose to close his eyes to the truth, to ignore everything that was right in front of him. And now, I’m left to pick up the pieces of what he couldn’t put together.

I shake the thoughts away as I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. It's one of those high-end spots that screams “exclusive,” the kind of place where every detail is curated for maximum luxury. I can feel the unease in my chest tighten as I park and step out of the car, my mind still tangled with Elyse’s face and the way he looked at me when I walked away. But this is a new chapter, I remind myself. This is for the best.

I check myself in the rearview mirror one last time, running a hand through my hair to smooth it out and adjust my jacket. I need to look presentable and approachable. I’m not here for an emotional debate. I’m here to put myself first, to show Elyse that I can move on, even if it’s hard.

As I approach the restaurant entrance, I push the door open, stepping inside. The atmosphere is sleek and sophisticated. The kind of place where the air smells of fresh, expensive wine and polished wood. The lights are low, creating an intimate glow that sets the mood for everything.

And then, I see her.

Aria Weston.

She stands out at the center of the restaurant, her presence so commanding that it feels like the world shifts when she enters a room. Her red hair is pulled back elegantly, and her green eyes catch mine instantly, the slightest curve of a smile playing on her lips. If her beauty wasn’t enough to make heads turn, then her sheer confidence as an Alpha would do the trick. She exudes an aura of power, of control, like she’s always in charge, always ready to take on the world.

I can’t help but admire her, even if I know this is just a business arrangement at best. She’s not the type of woman who’d take kindly to anything less than the best, and that’s the kind of energy I need to match right now.

“Kyle, so glad you could make it,” she greets me, her voice smooth and composed. There’s no sign of impatience, no irritation despite my late arrival. Just the kind of cold politeness that tells you exactly who’s in charge here.

I give her a smile, feeling a wave of relief wash over me, at least in the moment. “Sorry I’m late,” I say, stepping toward her with a smoothness that matches her own energy. “Work has a way of dragging things out, doesn’t it?”

Aria’s eyes glint with a touch of amusement as she leans back in her chair, crossing her arms. “It’s all right,” she says smoothly, “I know you’re currently working on the famous Viker’s project for Edmund Spencer.”

The mention of the project catches my attention. My back straightens just a fraction, a subtle shift in my posture that doesn’t escape her notice. I lean in, curious now, more than just business. I had assumed she had a passing interest, but this feels like more.

“You know Edmund Spencer?” I ask, my voice casual but with a hint of intrigue.

Aria chuckles softly, the sound smooth and low, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s toying with me. “I do, in passing. He and my father do business together quite often. I’ve met Edmund a few times over the years. We don’t run in the same circles, but our worlds overlap enough.”

I know his reputation. He’s powerful, shrewd, and plays the game of business like a seasoned pro. But I didn’t realize he had connections like this. Aria and her family had wealth and influence, all the things I don’t exactly have the luxury of taking for granted.

That little fact about Edmund makes me realize how deep this rabbit hole goes, and I can’t help but feel like I’m stepping into something bigger than I initially thought. Edmund's name keeps coming up in places I didn't expect.

“So, you and Edmund must know each other pretty well then?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral, not letting on that this new piece of the puzzle has just piqued my interest even more.

She shrugs, a small smile tugging at her lips. "As I said, we’re not exactly friends, but I know enough to have a conversation. And my father always speaks highly of him. So, it’s only natural that I would keep tabs on the people he works with. Especially someone handling such a prominent project."

She’s used to people like Edmund, maybe even people who could control the direction of things. That kind of power is dangerous, but it’s also incredibly useful if you know how to wield it. I can’t deny that a part of me feels a little... out of my depth. My family comes from old money, but it’s nowhere close enough to compete with the Weston’s.

But there’s no time to dwell on it. I’m here to handle business. Whatever else is going on between me and the people surrounding the Viker’s project can wait for another time.

“Well,” I say, leaning forward a little, focusing back on her, “I think we should get to business, then. I assume that’s why you’re here, right?”