Ignite Me: Shards of Glass, Part One (6 page)

I was a little annoyed he'd not said please once. “I'll have the three cheese ravioli please.” It was the safest option and I couldn't get it on my face or down my front.

“Out of the whole menu, you choose pasta!” His face was a mixture of confused and offended. “I'd recommend the crispy duck breast, it has new potatoes with it! Much better for you.”

Elliot's face contorted like he wanted to say something, but clearly thought better of it.

I glared at Cameron. How dare he tell me what to eat! He might have been used to telling people what to eat but I wasn't one of his bimbos. “When I require a nutritionist, I'll be sure to google one! Pasta happens to be a good source of fibre and the cheese, calcium and protein!” I raised a brow challenging him to disagree.

He sat back in his chair, both eyebrows raised. “If the lady wants pasta! She shall have pasta!”

Elliot smirked as he wrote it down and turned around and left us alone again.

I glanced at Cameron wondering how he'd react now Elliot was gone. He narrowed his eyes at me, but instead of the angry reaction I'd expected he started to laugh.

“Do you find me funny?! Because I'm starting to get annoyed!” I wanted to know why he was laughing. I was kinda offended.

“I'm sorry I'm not laughing at you, it's just not many people can answer me back and get away with it, let alone have the balls to do it with quite so much finesse. I think I've met my match with you!” He smiled and picked up the bottle of champagne.

I grinned from ear to ear. It was actually a pretty big compliment. By his own omission people clearly wouldn't have dared to come back at him, but I guess I was different.

“Well, I just know what I like to eat! I don't really like red meat or fatty meats in general. Also, I feed them in the park I don't wanna eat it!”

I watched closely as his deft fingers unwrapped the foil and then untwisted the metal around the cork of the champagne bottle. I counted in my head as he twisted the cork.

1...2...3 pop.

“I love the sound it makes don't you! That pop! It's very satisfying.” I smiled.

The smile played at the corners of his mouth as he didn't spill a drop, he filled my glass half way up and then filled his up picking his glass up and holding it up indicating for me to do the same.

I picked my glass up and held it out. My chipped black nail polish really would need fixing up. It'd been there since before I'd left America.

“To new friendships.” He tapped his glass against mine.

“To new friendships.” I repeated what he'd said. I eyed the cork laying on the table wondering if he'd notice me slip it into my pocket or if maybe Elliot would distract him so I could sneak it away.

He sipped from his glass and then put it down. “A good vintage I'm sure you'll agree!” He raised a brow.

I sipped it and let the bubbles wash over my tongue. “It's a very good vintage indeed!” I placed my glass down.

“Here you can add that to your random collection of things!” He held the cork out to me.

I laughed. “Damn you caught me eyeing it up! I'm like a magpie I like collecting things!” I held my hand out for the cork.

He placed it in the center of my palm and closed my fingers over it and held his hand over mine.

“I like you Evangeline, you challenge me and will probably drive me mad but I'd like to get to know you!” He looked thoughtful for a second.

I stared at his hand over mine. My skin was so pale compared to his, like milk and honey but I liked it. He had nice long fingers with well-kept nails. My eyes flicked up to meet his. “I'd like to get to know you better too! I am what I am and I am unapologetic about that, but I am loyal!” I wanted him to know I was loyal to me that was a trait that was important.

He smiled and moved his hand. “That's a trait you can't be learnt! I look forward to discovering who you are deep down and what makes you tick other than collecting things and punching people!”

I smiled. I didn't ask what happened after I left that night, part of me knew he'd not tell me even if I asked. I had made a friend though. I wasn't sure if we'd end up being more than just friends, but I did want to get to know him and I got the feeling he needed a dose of normality! I could at least try and give that to him! He needed it!

“I will look forward to getting to know you too Cameron!” I smiled. I was looking forward to seeing how this new friendship worked out. I got the feeling we'd get on well, but we both clearly had issues that maybe could spill over given the right situation.

chapter 6

Elliot walked back into the room and the smell of food filled the air and made my tummy rumble loudly!

“See that is why giant pretzels are not food! I can hear your stomach from here! You should make sure you eat right!”

I rolled my eyes. “I eat okay! I had fruit for breakfast! I just have a funny idea of when to eat. I'll be sure to give you a food diary!” I winked at him in what I hoped was a sexy way and not like I'd just got a twitch.

He beamed a smile back at me as he laid the napkin across his lap.

I did the same with my own napkin, they were thick cotton and the loveliest shade of royal blue.

“Can I get you anything else before I leave you to your meals?!” Elliot loitered like he didn't want to leave quite yet, his eyes darting towards me every few seconds.

“That’ll be all, thank you!” Cameron turned his attention back to me as I picked out a slice of bread from the bread basket.

He made me feel a little self-conscious as he studied me intently.

“Well, I'll leave you to it.” Elliot sighed and walked off. I felt bad I'd have to try and see him before I left. I dunno get his surname so I could send him some sighed stuff to make up for the fact Cameron was acting so rude.

“You shouldn't feel sorry for him! He's here to work not talk to the customers!” He picked up his knife and fork.

I pulled a face. “I don't feel sorry for him Cameron, it's more that you were rude to him! He's still a human! Just because he works here doesn't make him any less good than you!” I inhaled through my nose and broke my bread roll in half crumbs spraying all over the table.

He licked his lips and took a deep breath. “If you are trying to provoke me then you’re going the right way about it! The fact is regardless of who he is or isn't, he's at work and should keep a level of professionalism about him!” He stabbed at the stake of veil with his steak knife.

“I'm not trying to provoke you at all! I just think different to you!” I rolled my eyes as I dipped the bread into the oil and bit into.

“Oh wow this tastes so good!” I closed my eyes and moaned a little. I had a love for artisan bread.

“You’re not all that different, when it comes down to it Evangeline your just like me and don't try to deny it! Also rolling your eyes is rude!”

A shudder ran through my whole body, the intense way had said it coupled with how he was looking at me scared me. I frowned. I couldn't be bothered to discuss it anymore, so I just didn't say a word. I finished my bread and then picked up my fork and eyed the salt up. I had a bad habit of putting too much salt on. I placed a piece of pasta into my mouth and chewed it. The flavours were divine it didn't need salt.

“Do you want to try some of my stake its good!” He grinned as he held it out on the end of his fork for me. A peace offering.

I wanted to say no, that I didn't agree with veil in general, but it was a small piece and be looked so pleased when I didn't say no so just allowed him to feed me.

He smiled from ear to ear as I chewed it.

It actually tasted good! The sauce was flavoursome. “Mm, that's actually really nice! Thank you.” I grinned at him.

“Glad you liked it! I'll have to introduce you some more new food types! I get the feeling you live off instant noodles and pre packed fruit!” He shook his head.

I couldn't deny it because it was true, I did. That and energy bars. “But Cameron instant noodles are like 0% fat though!” I shrugged.

He looked genuinely horrified. “You need looking after! You can't live off that kinda thing forever! I'll take your grocery shopping!”

I reeled. I didn't mind being told I needed to be looked after because he was entitled to his own opinion about my lifestyle, but I disliked that he'd taken it upon himself to insist on buying me food! I wasn't poor, I didn't need his charity.

“I am more than capable of shopping for my own food! I don't need someone to treat me like a child! I'm 21 next month! And besides I do have food at home! I only went food shopping the day before yesterday!”

I stabbed at another innocent piece of ravioli before shoving it in my mouth.

He raised a brow. “I'd still like to make sure you're getting enough vitamins though! You’re very pale Evangeline.”

I had had enough of his bizarre need to treat me like I was his girlfriend and not just some girl he'd just met.

“Why are you so interested in me?! No other man or indeed woman would give a fuck what I eat or why I am so pale. Why do you care so much! Is it just because I helped your sister?!” I stared angrily at him.

He took a deep breath in. “Because I can and because I was trying to be helpful I didn't mean to offend you! Please forgive me for being pushy.” He seemed genuinely sorry.

I got the feeling he didn't have a great deal of friends outside of his social circle, but I could forgive his domineering side because I was sure somewhere deep down under all the ties and waist coats if I dug enough I would find who he really was. “Okay, well just so we are all equal here, you don't need to worry about if I eat! I love food and I'm naturally very pale!” He clearly had control issues in his life.

He smiled. “Duly noted!” He smirked as he cut his stake. I glanced up every now and again, watching him eat, his eye lashes threw shadows over his cheekbones. Women paid good money for eyelashes like that. I flicked my eyes back down to my pasta I'd eat pretty much the whole lot, I wanted dessert, so I wasn't aiming to eat the whole lot. As I glanced back up I caught him looking at me. He didn't look back down like I would have done if he'd caught me looking at him instead he looked thoughtful.

“Your face is very expressive, I could tell just from the way you were staring at the few left bits of pasta that you don't want to eat the whole thing.” He raised a brow.

“Rumbled.” I grinned widely. “I'm kinda after getting the cheesecake and if I eat the rest of this I'll have no room left!”

He smiled. “Fair enough, they do very generous mains here! You can leave the rest since you’re eating dessert!” He looked back at his own meal and continue to eat.

I wanted to say something to rebel against his given permission to not eat the rest, but I didn't see the point! Instead, I put my knife and fork down in the bowl and picked up my champagne glass, then sat back in my chair sipped it while glancing out of the widows. Even from level 33 the view was amazing and I wondered if he'd take me to the viewing platform on level 72, if he didn't it was okay, I'd just come back another day. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and tried to ignore it, thankfully I'd left it on silent.

“You can answer it!” He placed his knife and fork down on his now empty plate.

I rolled my eyes and put the glass down before fishing out my iPhone. It was still ringing. “You have got to be kidding me!” I wanted to throw it out of a window, seeing Sean's name flash up made my heart ache painfully.

I just stared at it. Trying to calm myself down.

“I assume it's someone you don't wish to talk to! Who was it?!” He looked thoughtfully at me.

I took in a steadying breath and wondered how to explain it. “Oh well, it's my ex! Sean, he's not left me alone for three months! He never normally calls just texts! Sometimes, not very nice ones! I don't even want to know what he wants!”

I should have gotten his number blocked, but a small part of me was still worrying about his mental state. Clearly not satisfied with the fact I hadn't picked up his call he rang again. It was still early hours of the morning in LA what the hell did he want?

Cameron held his hand out for my phone. “I'll answer it if you wish?! All the colour has drained from your face you clearly don't wish to speak to him!”

I shrugged handing him the phone. I really didn't care who answered it, maybe he'd give up if he thought I wasn't interested.

Cameron looked like the cat that had got the cream as he sat back in his chair and hit answer putting it on speakerphone so I could hear.

“Evangeline's phone.” He spoke with his perfect crisp British accent.

My heart beat funny in my chest as I heard Sean's voice for the first time in months.

“Who the fuck are you?! Put Evan on I need to speak to her!” He sounded drunk.

I closed my eyes. I could just see him now, probably, been out and now sitting in his apartment feeling sorry for himself.

“This is a friend of Evangeline's, she doesn't wish to speak to you!” He smiled over at me and I hugged myself with one arm.

Sean laughed. “You ain't no friend if you’re calling her by her full name! Now tell her to stop being stupid I need to tell her that I love her!” There was a crash in the background and then swearing. He clearly tripped over something in his apartment.

“On the contrary Sean, I choose to call Evan by her full name because it's a beautiful name! Now we are having a nice relaxing meal out and she doesn't wish to talk to you! If you insist on constantly calling her, she will have no choice but to block your number! It must be what 4am in Los Angeles right now?! Go sober up because no woman wants to hear her ex drunk calling her!”

He cut the call looking very pleased with himself.

I bit my lip. No one had ever said my name was beautiful before and no one had ever just taken over before. It was kinda good to not have the responsibility or the pressure of talking to Sean.

“I dare say he will call you right back, might as well turn it off if it annoys you that he calls!” He held my phone out.