When Adrian Cole saw who had arrived, his gaze faltered briefly. He set down his chopsticks and stood up politely. “Mr. Marks.”
Julian Marks waved a hand, motioning for him not to get up, and walked straight to Lydia Moore’s side, settling casually into the empty seat next to her. His arm draped easily across the back of her chair.
“I heard from Lydia that she was having dinner with some friends here,” he said, smiling with practiced ease. “I happened to be meeting a client at the same restaurant tonight, so I thought I’d stop by and say hello. Didn’t expect to find out it was you, Mr. Cole.” His tone carried an undertone of amusement.
Vanessa Price, who of course knew Julian, quickly explained, “I was the one who invited Monica and Lydia. Adrian and I are getting married soon, so I wanted to have dinner together before things get hectic. If I’d known you were here too, Mr. Marks, I would’ve asked Lydia to bring you along.”
Julian picked up Lydia’s teacup and took a leisurely sip. “So,” he asked, smiling faintly, “when’s the wedding, Ms. Hayes?”
Vanessa laughed. “Next spring. I’m counting on both Monica and Lydia to be my bridesmaids.”
Monica Hayes glanced sideways at Lydia and smirked. “No problem. As long as you don’t mind your bridesmaids outshining the bride.”
Vanessa chuckled and turned to Lydia. “And you, Lydia?”
Lydia looked up and met her gaze evenly, her expression unreadable.
Julian’s voice came in before she could answer, warm and indulgent. “Lydia’s going to have to skip it. We’re actually planning to have a baby soon, and she might be… a little unavailable by then.”
Lydia froze and turned toward him. “What?”
Julian arched an eyebrow, his tone light but pointed. “Isn’t that right, Lydia?”
Monica glanced between them, opening her mouth as if to say something but then thinking better of it.
Vanessa blinked in surprise, then quickly smiled again. “That’s wonderful! Monica and I will be honored to become honorary aunts. With looks like yours and Julian’s, your baby’s going to be absolutely adorable.”
Adrian raised his glass with a polite smile. “Congratulations in advance, Mr. and Mrs. Marks.”
Julian lifted Lydia’s teacup in response, his lips curving. “Thanks — same to you.”
Monica groaned dramatically. “Oh, come on, you two, have some mercy on us single people, will you?”
Her interjection broke the tension around the “baby” topic, and the conversation moved on.
After a while, Lydia excused herself to go to the restroom.
Inside, the room was quiet except for the sound of running water. She stood under the automatic faucet, rubbing her hands over and over without realizing it, until her skin turned red.
The door opened. Julian stepped inside.
Lydia turned her head slightly, her tone even. “This is the ladies’ room.”
Julian smiled faintly, his dark eyes glinting as he stepped closer. “I know.”
He caught her wrist before she could move away. She tried to pull free, but his grip tightened.
Looking down at her reddened hands, his lips curved in a half-smile. “Lydia, mourning an old lover right in front of your husband — don’t you think that’s a bit inappropriate?”
Her brow furrowed. “You’ve been checking up on me?”
“Why shouldn’t I?” His tone turned sharp. “Don’t forget who you are, Lydia.”
“I haven’t,” she said quietly.
“Good.”
He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and tilted her chin upward, lowering his head to kiss her.
She flinched and stepped back instinctively, startled by her own reaction.
Julian’s expression didn’t change — not the faintest flicker of emotion disturbed his smooth, handsome face. But a second later, his hand clamped around her jaw, and his mouth crushed down on hers.
Lydia struggled to push him away, but he held her fast, backing her against the cold wall.
“Mm—”
She gasped in pain. His teeth caught her lip hard enough to break the skin, the metallic tang of blood blooming between them.
The kiss was deep, forceful — almost punishing. Her knees went weak. She kicked at him, and only then did he finally release her, giving her a chance to breathe.
Julian’s half-lidded eyes studied her swollen, blood-tinged lips, unreadable.
He brushed his thumb across them, his voice low and teasing. “You know, Lydia — your lips are softer than I remembered.”
She pushed him away and walked to the mirror. Her lower lip was visibly red and swollen — impossible to hide. She cupped some water and carefully rinsed the cut.
Julian came up behind her, leaning one arm on the counter, trapping her reflection between his arms. “What’s wrong?” he murmured lazily. “Afraid your old flame will notice what we’ve been doing?”
She met his gaze in the mirror. “Not everyone is as shameless as you.”
He laughed — a real laugh, head tilted against her shoulder, shaking with amusement.
Lydia didn’t see what was funny. Her chest ached with frustration, and yet… the man’s face was infuriatingly handsome, especially when he smiled.
“You should try it sometime,” Julian said with a grin. “A thicker skin can work wonders. If we’re not embarrassed, everyone else will be.”
Lydia had no words for that. She pushed past him and walked out of the restroom.
Julian followed. As they were approaching the dining area, his phone rang.
Lydia didn’t look back, but she heard his voice behind her — suddenly soft, patient, almost gentle.
“Hey, sweetheart. Don’t worry. Take your time.”
