Sponge of Suspicion by S.E. Babin

Author:S.E. Babin [Babin, S.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Sorcha met us at the restaurant. My jaw dropped when she found us at the table, her skirts swirling around her as she took her seat. She’d pinned her flaming hair up in a chic twist, a few artfully placed curls around her face. Her makeup was tasteful but elegant, and she’d worn an off-shoulder black sweater with a tan skirt and tall black boots. Emerald earrings glittered as she moved.

I whistled low. “You’re a total babe,” I murmured.

Sorcha snorted. “Look who’s talking.”

Roman squeezed my knee in agreement. I’d made an effort tonight, but I wasn’t as brave as Sorcha to wear a skirt. First, it was freezing outside. Second, I didn’t have any fancy skirts, just retro-swing ones that wouldn’t fit the vibe I was going for. I’d settled on black satin cigarette pants, heels, a multicolored cami, and a purple slim-cut blazer. I’d tied my unruly hair up in a high messy bun, switched my glasses for contacts, and wore a red lip and minimal other makeup. Rose cut amethyst swung on hooks from my ears, and I’d worn a matching necklace. No rings and a simple silver bracelet completed the look. It had been a long time since I’d dressed up like this or gone out on a real date.

Jacob had eyed us when we walked in, his brows lifting in surprise. But instead of coming over, he’d grinned and winked at me, heading back into the kitchen.

Whether he’d let us choose from the menu remained to be seen.

Archie wasn’t late. Not yet. But Roman and I both believed in the fifteen-minute rule, so we were on our first glass of wine when the noise in the restaurant fell slightly.

A man approached us, tall, cool, and imperious. I’d never seen him before, but I would think of Roman if I had.

Handsome but cold, unlike Roman in that regard. Or at least now that I knew him. Perhaps Archie was the same, but as his eyes swept across the restaurant and a calculating gleam sparkled in his eyes, I thought perhaps the brothers couldn’t be more different.

I tried to reserve judgment, but I knew I had the better one sitting beside me.

Roman’s fingers tensed, and he withdrew his touch, standing as his brother approached.

Archie’s gaze fell on me, one light eyebrow arched. But when he turned his attention to Sorcha, his attention zeroed in like a hawk spotting prey on the ground. Sorcha stared right back, painted nails tapping on the table.

“Archibald,” Roman said.

Sorcha snorted.

I bit down a smile.

“Roman,” Archie drawled. “How wonderful to see you again. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It has.” Roman swept a hand out. “Please. Have a seat. We’ve ordered a bottle of wine and a glass for you.”

Archie sat next to Sorcha. “And you are?”

“Sorcha.”

He stared as he waited for her to say something else, but Sorcha sipped her wine and ignored him. His brow furrowed as if no one had ever done that before. Archie seemed like the kind of man who commanded the attention of people when he spoke.

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