Songbird (Bellator Saga Book 7) by Cecilia London

Author:Cecilia London [London, Cecilia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: contemporary romance
Publisher: Principatum Publishing
Published: 2020-04-13T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“I have Xanax. You might need it,” I told Alex.

“Eating dinner with your friends is an anxiety-inducing experience?”

“It can be. Definitely more easily managed if you’re not stone cold sober.”

His place was between my condo and Jack and Caroline’s house, and we were heading north during rush hour, so I’d engaged my car service to pick him up en route. Which meant we had plenty of time to sit in the back seat, in traffic, so I could prep him for what he was about to encounter. I felt underdressed, a rarity for me. Caroline almost always kept things casual so I’d settled for a pair of slacks and a wool sweater. Alexander, on the other hand, was wearing a pressed shirt and tie. Clearly he was hoping to make a good impression. On all three of us.

“Christine, I have a vague awareness of who Caroline Gerard and Jack McIntyre are. Unless the rumors of their heroism and humility have been grossly exaggerated in the press.”

If he started talking to Caroline about her exploits, her ego would be inflated beyond compare. “I don’t want you to feel pressure to perform.”

At that, he turned to me. “There are so many directions I could take that comment. I’ll choose to interpret it as platonically as possible.”

I blushed. “Yes, that would be good.”

He put his arm around me. “Is this okay?”

“Fine,” I whispered.

“First date nervousness was expected. But you have to start feeling more comfortable around me. I’m not grading you on presentation.”

“What about poise?”

“Well, yes. If I didn’t critique you on poise and proper grammar I’d be some sort of monster. But overall presentation? Of course not.”

“Are you telling me to calm down?”

“Yes.”

“It’s harder than it looks.”

“I know.” He squeezed my shoulder. “But I’m hoping that your nervousness might be based on you liking me a little.”

I liked him a lot. “It’s not just that. Caroline and Jack and I have been through a lot together and… they were quite close to Tom.” It was the first time I’d said his name out loud to Alexander.

“They don’t strike me as the type of people to make comparisons or judge their dinner guests.”

“They’re not. I just—you’re the first man I’ve dated since he passed and I’m probably looking for excuses to be nervous.”

“Yes,” he said. “You are.” He squeezed my shoulder again. “Don’t worry, okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed.

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