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She seemed to draw in a deep breath, come to some decision while his heart weirdly kicked around in his chest, and then, almost so slowly that it was painful, she placed her hand in his

Lucian smiled

Chapter 21

Crawfish was delicious

She didn’t care if it was seafood or not It was a So was the burrata appetizer and then theto need to be carried out of the restaurant between all the food and wine she’d consulanced over at Gabe He slass of wine in her direction She then peeked at Lucian He justhe just stared at her in a way thatits dryness She quickly looked away, her gaze flickering over the restaurant

They sat at a small round table tucked near the here privacy was afforded by the alcoves they sat in The restaurant was lovely, all handcrafted ork and trim, tables dressed in cream-and-red linens, lit by tall, tapered candles

Several tihout the dinner their table was approached by people, usually older men who looked upon her curiously No one had been rude, nothing likeDev’s fiancée Lucian introduced her each tihes with no further explanation

The dinner so far had been great Just like the ride into the city and what she’d gotten to see of New Orleans She couldn’t wait to see those flower and fern-covered balconies once more Julia wanted to walk those streets and touch those buildings--touch history

But not tonight

She doubted she could walk a block now

Lucian shifted, drawing her attention There didn’t see rested against hers, and every so often Gabe’s leg brushed her calf "Doing okay?" he asked

He’d kept checking in with her throughout the dinner His concern waseet, because she sensed it was genuine, or at least that hat the as telling her

So Julia nodded She was doing just fine The guys kept the conversation flowing, telling her about their days in college and all the trouble they got into as they ate a dinner that had to have cost the sauest--a guest in their hoined only the extre to make her feel this way Actually, they behaved just the opposite, but she was so out of her element that she felt like an imposter in a fancy dress, surrounded by even fancier people

Julia kept waiting for someone like Sabrina to appear and reveal her as a fraud

"So" Gabe reached over, tapping his fingers on her hand "What are your long-terhts, she turned to hi back in his chair, body lean and idle as he nodded "Do you plan to stay here or go holanced at Lucian and then wanted to punch herself "I’ll ht beyond that since I don’t have a set ter at his brother "Have you thought about staying here? I thinksome of us would really miss you if you left"

Her brows rose as she took a drink Considering she’d only shared a handful of conversations with Gabe, she doubted he was one of those people

"I’dhis elbows the table "I’dhilance

"You doubtto prove it"

She felt her throat and chest flush as their gazes connected Too ht, because she couldn’t look away, and their faces were close Inches separated their mouths

"I don’t think you should doubt hiaze swinging toward Gabe

He grinned at her "I think if you left, he would be bereft"

Taking a long drink of her wine, she collected her scattered thoughts "I think that’s an exaggeration"

Lucian’s war a shiver over her skin "I think you’ve challenged me"

Her heart ju the waiter with a raised hand

Gabe’s grin kicked up a notch