Reborn by S. L. Stacy

Author:S. L. Stacy [Stacy, S. L.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Publisher: S. L. Stacy
Published: 2013-11-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Unlike the reception area, which was opulent but had the cold, impersonal feel of an art museum, Isabela’s is surprisingly small and intimate. Art deco sconces cast pale white light along the burgundy walls. The only other light comes from the garnet red candles encased in round glass jars at the center of each table. The rich reds along with the polished dark wood of the floors and furniture create an atmosphere of dark romance. A string quartet plays with soft ardor in the back right corner.

The host leads us to a table tucked away in the back. Jasper sprawls languidly on the side that faces us. Dr. Mars sits across from him, so I can only see the thick jet black hair of the back of his head. Jasper sees us coming and stands, pulling out the chair beside him so that I can sit down. Dr. Mars does the same for Anna.

“It’s nice to see you both again. Outside of class,” Dr. Mars adds with a broad smile at me. There’s a bottle of uncorked champagne on the table and four already filled glasses. I pick mine up and take an unladylike gulp. I can already tell this is going to be the most awkward dinner—ever. It fizzes on my tongue, cool and sweet and tinged with an unusual flavor, like honey or something. Like steady, liquid magic, it twists and spreads throughout my body, soothing my frayed nerves.

Jasper leans into me to whisper, “You look lovely.” His warm breath and the way his lips briefly brush against my ear send a shiver of excitement down my spine.

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” Even in his usual black dress pants and white shirt, Jasper looks like he’s about to walk the runway at Fashion Week. A gold pin winks at me from his shirt collar. “You’re wearing your badge?” I groan almost in disgust. He starts and glances down at the miniscule gold shield as though he forgot it was there. “You Sigma Iotas take badge attire so seriously.”

Jasper relaxes back into his chair and smirks. “You do your best when you look your best.”

We peruse the menu as Dr. Mars asks us about our majors and hobbies. The menu doesn’t offer anything earthshattering but is outlandishly expensive. Our server returns to the table to take our orders. I’ve decided on the wedding soup for an appetizer and filet mignon. Jasper orders a house salad and the rack of lamb, Anna a Mediterranean salad and Eric grilled salmon almondine. After our waiter leaves to put in our orders, Anna resumes talking about the auditions for Faust.

“Well, good luck—or break a leg, I guess I should say,” Eric tells her. “When is the actual performance?”

“There are four scheduled for the second weekend in October,” Anna says.

“I’ll have to mark that on my calendar. Our students always put on fantastic shows. And you’ll make a beautiful Marguerite.”

Anna blushes and chokes on her champagne. “I have to get the part first,” she mumbles into her glass.

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