Page 173 of Forgotten Prejudice

“Sorry about that,” he said once he was done rumbling. “I felt like something got stuck in my throat.”

If only.

“You don’t mind if Soren and I drink, right?” Ashton asked Kai after we ordered the drinks, the softest expression on his face.

The bitter taste of jealousy filled my mouth at the sight of them together, but thankfully, the wine arrived soon enough to help me wash it away.

I had to stop the waiter from pouring too much; after all, I needed to taste it first. Swirling the wine in the glass, I allowed it to breathe before I brought it to my nose and took a gentle sniff. It smelled sweet, too sweet, and the flavor was even worse.

“So, how is it?” Ashton asked.

Unlike me, he seemed to enjoy the wine. Since I didn’t want to insult him, I nodded. “It’s okay. Although, it’s not as good as the bottle we shared in Varenna. Remember that little restaurant on the lake?”

“With the angry waiter?”

“Yes,” I answered back, smiling at him. “Our waiter was so angry he nearly poured the wine over my head. We laughed for hours after that dinner was over, trying to figure out what had put the man in such a sour mood.”

“Sure you weren’t just your usual self, and the waiter had no patience for jerks?” Kai jumped in, ruining the moment—yet again.

“How’s your apple juice?” I bit back, earning myself a harsh glare from Ashton, who didn’t seem to enjoy my joke. Oh well, Kai had it coming.

“So, Soren, what will you do now that the case is over?” Kai asked, his eyes narrowed on me.

“Go back to work, obviously.”

He smirked. “And that would be in New York, right?”

I knew the bastard had an agenda.

“Yes.” I put down my glass and turned to face Ashton. “I planned on telling you. I’m going back on Sunday night.”

Ashton’s eyes widened before his forehead creased. “That’s in two days.”

The disappointment in his voice burdened me with guilt, and I hated that I was forced to leave him, but what other choice did I have?

“Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a choice. I’ve already been assigned a new case.”

“I bet Ashy is going to miss you.” Kai elbowed him. “Isn’t that right? After all, you’ve gotten so close lately.”

Kai’s words stirred in me the suspicion that he might know about us, and I did my best to avoid meeting Ashton’s panicked look when Kai clarified himself.

“You know, working on the case together?” He glanced between us, a big smile on his face. “Jesus, Ashy, you’re all red. Want me to turn down the heat?”

Ashton reached for his drink and took a long gulp before he shook his head. “N-No, it’s fine. I guess it’s the wine.”

“So maybe stop drinking it?” Kai joked, and his laugh seemed to make Ashton a bit less nervous.

Well, my little Sparrow was never much of a liar, and I could tell he was eaten up by guilt. Cheating might be wrong, and I might have felt bad about it if I wasn’t sure that Ashton belonged with me.

The first courses arrived on time, and the plates were placed in the middle of the table.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing,” Kai said, tearing a piece of bread with his hands before placing it on Ashton’s plate. “You know, it’s more fun eating this way. Don’t you agree?”

Oh, the bastard knew.

“Actually, I do mind sharing very much,” I said back, taking a bun from the breadbasket and placing it on my plate. “I find it to be annoying, not to mention unhygienic.” I lifted my look to meet Kai’s narrowed eyes. “After all, who knows where you’ve stuck those hands before?”

He slammed his palm on the table, strong enough for it to shake. “You son of a—”