A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 106

She'd promised dinner was on her, but when Winona reached for the check, the server informed her that Elvis had already paid in advance.

"Mr. Rogers," Winona fixed him with a look, her voice soft but pointed. "Weren't you going to let me treat you tonight?"

"Sorry about that," Elvis replied, sounding entirely unapologetic. "I must've forgotten."

She caught the faint, teasing curve at the corner of his mouth and realized Mr. Rogers had a real talent for playing by his own rules.

"If your memory's truly that bad, Mr. Rogers, maybe you should start keeping a reminder list," she said, half-smiling.

"My reminders are reserved for important things," Elvis shot back lightly. "For example, Miss Thorne, you still owe me two dinners."

"Is that so?" Winona tilted her head, feigning innocence. "I don't recall that."

Meeting his eyes, she mimicked his earlier tone: "Sorry, I must've forgotten."

Elvis laughed, a low, genuine sound. Watching the mischievous glint in Winona's eyes, his own gaze softened with unmistakable affection.

"That's all right. As long as one of us remembers."

They were just about to leave when they turned and nearly collided with someone familiar.

Jonah.

He stood just a few steps away, rain speckling the shoulders of his dark overcoat, his gaze rooted unflinchingly on Winona.

He clutched a black umbrella, water dripping from its ribs and leaving dark spots on the polished floor.

Winona froze for a split second.

Of all the places, of all the moments—she hadn't expected to run into Jonah here.

She could feel the storm of emotions in his eyes: frustration, uncertainty, and a stubborn edge that refused to let go.

"What a coincidence, Elvis, Miss Thorne." Jonah's voice was lower than usual, tinged with a subtle rasp.

His gaze flicked past Elvis, landing squarely on Winona. "I was meeting a friend for dinner here. Didn't expect to see you two."

She let her fingertips brush Elvis's sleeve. "Mr. Rogers, shall we go?"

Elvis glanced down, catching the barely-there motion of her hand. Something warm flickered in his eyes.

"Yes, let's."

As they walked away, Winona could feel Jonah's stare burning into her back like needles.

When they'd climbed into the car, Winona spoke first. "I used to think Jonah was the one I was supposed to marry."

It was still awkward to say out loud, but she didn't want to keep it from Elvis.

"I was confused," she admitted with a sigh. "I never bothered to clear things up."

"That explains a lot," Elvis replied, raising an eyebrow. "You did keep telling me we needed to keep our distance."

Winona's cheeks flushed. "We agreed not to bring that up…"