Page 61 of Yearner

Allison glanced down at the screen, expecting to see Summer's name. But the smile vanished from her face the moment she recognized the number. It was the same one that had contacted her before, the number Justin had used to send her those messages.

He was calling her now.

Her back stiffened, and she stared at the screen as unease crept through her. She didn't answer. She couldn't bring herself to do it.

Has he already started getting closer to me?

Until now, Justin hadn't dared to approach her directly. But if he was calling her himself, perhaps he was becoming bolder.

Is he really getting closer to getting his hands on me?

Silas returned from the kitchen after finishing his water and setting the empty glass on the counter. The moment he noticed Allison's tense expression, his attention sharpened.

“What's going on?”

He stepped closer, slipped his arms around her waist, and drew her against him. His gaze searched her face, catching the tension she was trying to hide.

“Are you hiding something from me?”

Allison looked up at him and forced a smile, but she didn't answer.

Silas studied her for another moment. He could tell she wasn't telling him everything, but rather than press her when she clearly didn't want to talk, he leaned down and kissed her cheek softly.

“Do you want to come with me to meet a friend of mine?” he asked. “We'll have dinner out.”

Allison lifted her head, her smile returning. “Of course. Let's go.”

A little later, they arrived at a restaurant on one of Manhattan's main streets. Allison had passed it countless times and had often admired its striking exterior, but she'd never stepped inside.

Now, as she entered with Silas, she finally had the chance to see it up close.

The restaurant was stunning. Its modern architecture featured expansive black glass, giving the building a distinctly masculine appearance unlike the other restaurants nearby. The interior was equally elegant, with a classy, sophisticated atmosphere that immediately caught her attention.

Silas led her farther inside, guiding her through the restaurant toward a table where a man was already seated.

“Gabriel,” Silas called as they approached.

Hearing his voice, the man turned his head and rose to his feet.

Allison's steps faltered when she recognized him. Gabriel Cunningham. His familiar steel-gray eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she forgot why she was there. He looked as impeccably dressed as ever, his charcoal suit fitting his broad shoulders perfectly, his jet-black hair brushed back from his forehead. There was something unnervingly composed about him, but right now, even that composure seemed to slip.

Silas gestured between them. “This is my wife, Allison.”

Allison stiffened.

Surprise flickered across Gabriel's face before he quickly concealed it. From the way he looked at her, she knew he hadn't expected to see her here either.

Silas noticed the change immediately. His gaze moved between them, lingering on their startled expressions. There was something between them, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Neither of them said anything.

They exchanged awkward smiles, concealing their surprise as they shook hands and settled into their seats. Gabriel soon regained his usual composure, though the coolness in his expression did little to explain the reaction Silas had just witnessed.

“I've already ordered,” Gabriel said casually. “The food should be here in a minute.”

Almost on cue, the waiters arrived with their dishes and began setting them on the table.

Silas waited until they had finished before looking between Allison and Gabriel. “Do you two know each other?”