Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 98

“Whoa, who is that? Is she your girlfriend’s best friend? She’s just as pretty as your girl!”

“Does she have a boyfriend?”

Steve turned when he heard the noise, and as soon as he saw Abriella, he couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

Right then, Will shoved him aside, fiercely protecting his spot at the table.

Steve shot him a look. “Relax. Nobody wants your crummy seat anyway.”

He walked right across and plopped down on the other side without another word.

Emmy came in, holding onto Abriella’s arm, and instinctively tried to pull her toward an empty seat.

“Abriella, come sit with me.”

But Will shouted across the room, “Hey, Emmy! Over here! James saved you a spot!”

Suddenly, everyone was staring.

Emmy’s face went hot and she felt completely stuck in place.

Abriella gave her a look that said, “Seriously?” then dragged her over and sat her down right next to James.

“You’re sitting here,” she said with zero room for argument.

Emmy didn’t even try to protest.

Abriella glanced around and found an empty seat straight across—right next to Steve.

The moment they sat, it was like an invisible wall went up between them. Neither looked at the other, and neither said a word.

Emmy glanced back and forth between them, picking up on the tension.

Just then, someone slid a tablet menu in front of her.

James leaned in, his voice deep and smooth. “Take a look. Order whatever you want.”

He was so close, she could feel his warm breath against her ear.

Emmy got so nervous she couldn’t even read the menu. She just tapped a couple things—cheesy bread rolls and something else she couldn’t even remember.

Will leaned over with a grin. “Hey, Emmy, James, this place is famous for their grilled fish. Should we get one?”

Before he even finished, two voices cut in at the same time.

His eyes dropped to her lips, where there were still faint, healing bite marks—old scars from where she’d bitten down too hard not long ago.

His expression darkened, throat moving as he swallowed. Then, without a word, he stood up.

“I’ll be right back.”

He disappeared toward the restroom. Emmy finally felt her nerves unwind, if only a little.

A moment later, servers arrived with huge platters of sizzling barbecue.

The firefighters cheered and dug in, filling the room with laughter and chatter.

Will, mouth full, called out, “Hey, Emmy, where’s James? He’s been gone forever.”

Emmy nibbled on her lamb skewer, secretly wishing James would stay gone. She had no clue how to face him about that night.

But just as she thought it, the chair next to her scraped back.

James sat down, bringing a chill with him, his skin still damp from washing his face. His dark hair was wet, messy across his forehead, softening his usual sharp features and giving him a wild, rugged edge.

He turned to her, his voice low. “Why are you so quiet?”