Page 5 of Reverence

My notes app suddenly became more appealing than usual and I typed my grocery list into it. Trying my utmost best to mind my business.

“Are you serious right now?” Nicolas asked. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was frowning. “Is that what this is about? You’re upset because I don’t want to indulge your arguments?”

“Indulge?” Gabriella asked sarcastically. “Please don’t make me laugh, Nicolas.”

Where the hell was Kehlani when I needed her?

“Amala, please correct me if I’m wrong but did Mariana not throw herself at him just a few months ago?”

Shit.

My gaze shifted from him to her, forcing me between a rock and a hard place.

In the midst of responding, Kehlani, Kayden, and Ares approached the table—easing the tension and saving me from the potential involvement.

Nicolas eyed her before saying. “We’ll continue this later.”

Gabriella scoffed and focused her attention on everyone else.

She plastered a smile on her face and I released a soft sigh of relief.

I greeted everyone except Ares and sat back down. Luckily the restaurant wasn’t crowded and we managed to secure a booth—which provided a sense of privacy.

The guys were having a conversation and Gabriella pulled us along with her to the restroom.

According to the waitress, our food would be ready in approximately fifteen minutes to twenty minutes.

Giving us enough time to calm Gabriella down. “He’s infuriating. If the roles were reversed he would’ve forced me to work with someone else.”

“According to Kayden, Asher can be extremely intimidating and stern. So I understand his point of view but I also get where you’re coming from babe.” Kehlani reassured. “Amala, what’s your take on this? Do you think Nicolas could perhaps request to be partnered with someone else?”

I leaned against the sink, one foot in front of the other. “It’s possible,” I said. “Depending on the reasoning but Braun’s not the easiest to sway. If anything, he’ll force Nicolas to work with her on every case. He’s spiteful at times. To teach us a lesson.”

Gabs sighed, coming to stand next to me. “Perhaps I’m overreacting.”

Kehlani and I looked at each other briefly. “No, you’re not. You have every right to feel that way given the circumstances.” I fixed her curls.

“What I will say though, is that Nicolas loves you, more than anything. He’d go to war for you, so I know he won’t do anything to jeopardise your relationship and you’ve got me. I’ll keep an eye on, Mariana. If she steps out of line, I’ll be there.”

My last sentence made her laugh and she smiled, showcasing those cute dimples. “I love the two of you. Thank you for letting me crash out.”

“Babe, we’ve got you.” Kehlani pinched her cheek. “We don’t tolerate nonsense. Especially, Amala.” I nodded while chuckling, pointing at her in agreement.

A few minutes later we returned to our table and luckily for us, our food arrived and still happened to be piping hot. Ares sat beside me, making me internally cringe.

My gaze landed on Gabriella and Nicolas. He leaned closer, whispering something in her ear.

She gave him a small smile, his plan must’ve been working. “Do you trust me?” Was the last thing I heard him ask before Ares’ voice cut through the air.

“Could you pass me the salt?”

My fork stopped midair and I turned to look at him, his eyes already trained on me.

I didn’t react or move, causing him to frown. “Did you forget your manners at home?” I asked. “Oh, wait. You don’t have any.”

“What would you know about manners?” He retorted. “The salt.”

I pushed the fork into my mouth, chewing my pasta slowly—ignoring him once more.