Losing Angeline: London Calling Book Two (20 page)
“Nat, what is it?”
Even her lips were pale. “
You
. What are
you
doing here?”
Dominic tilted his head. “Meeting you. Like my note said.” Puzzled, he watched as she gingerly pulled out a chair and sat down. Looking over, he ordered her usual. “Double latte with a croissant, please. She needs to eat.” She’d grown thinner since their time apart. Her cheekbones were sharper, angling above hollowed cheeks. She was definitely more fragile, but still exquisite. Her beauty took his breath away.
Natalie’s head shot up from where she’d lowered it onto one hand. Her eyes glowed like sapphires, spitting rage and something deadlier at Dominic. “Go to hell.” She started to get up, but Dominic pressed a hand to her shoulder, keeping her seated.
Meanwhile, the barista looked perplexed. Dominic exhaled loudly, tapping his foot. As the young man snapped to attention, Dominic continued, his tone sharp. “Please get Natalie’s usual. She isn’t well.”
He was unprepared for the pointed toe of her shoe to connect with his shin. “Ouch.” Releasing her, he bent over to rub at the spot. “What the hell was that for?”
“I am
fine
, except for seeing you. Why are you here?”
Dominic’s brows shot up. “I’m here to meet you, Nat. As arranged.”
“I would agree to meet with Satan and all his minions before you, Dominic Martin. What on earth are you talking about?”
Clearly, they had their wires crossed. Dominic spoke slowly. “I sent you a note, with the toffee, to meet here. Today.” At her confused look, he continued. “This morning.”
“I didn’t read your stupid note.”
Hurt, Dominic snagged on the irrelevant. “You got the toffee? And the reference? You know, toffee for Toff.” He smiled tentatively, worried Natalie didn’t seem her usual smart, quick-thinking self.
Clearly, unemployment had dulled her.
“No. I didn’t eat your damned toffee. Just like I didn’t keep any of your worthless gifts.” She tugged at one sleeve of her jacket, pulling it down until it nearly covered her hand. She left the other slightly pushed up.
Dominic had only seen Natalie utterly composed. Even when his lies were exposed, she’d thrown him out of her life with icy calmness. This Natalie, the nervy fidgeting woman before him, was a mystery.
“Okay…” He drew the word out, trying for reassurance. “But why are you here if it’s not to meet me?”
She stared, a rosy flush suffusing her cheeks as her mouth dropped open. Her head jerked around as the employee brought over another tray populated with the same espresso and chocolate croissant as the other.
“Your usual.”
If possible, Natalie turned redder still. She grabbed the tray and marched it back over to the young man, who’d resumed his position behind the counter. “I’d like this to go.” She softened her tone. “Please.”
She turned back to face Dominic, who was utterly confused by now.
“Natalie, you just got here, and we haven’t had a chance to talk. Why are you leaving?”
Her color had returned, but her eyes still shot fire. “I am not here to meet you, Dominic.” She paused as he stared back at her. “This is all some kind of sick joke the universe decided to play on me.”
“But—”
“No, let me finish. You wanted to talk, so here it is. I would never agree to a meeting with you. There is nothing you could say that I possibly have any interest in.”
“Well, hear me out—”
“I’ve heard all I want to hear out of you in this lifetime, Dom. I meant what I said a year ago, but I’ll repeat it now since you didn’t seem to understand.”
It was Dominic’s turn to feel the blood drain out of his face.
“I never, ever want to see you again. Now leave me be.”
She walked straight and dignified out the door, leaving her breakfast order behind.
Dominic watched the door slam then looked at the other man. He seemed as baffled as Dominic felt.
After a short, awkward silence, the young man brought over Natalie’s espresso and pastry. He set them down then pulled out a chair to join Dominic.
“Mate, that was harsh.” The barista sipped the coffee then took a bite of Natalie’s croissant.
All the while, Dominic looked from one tray to the other, noting that sometime in the past year she changed her preferences to match his.
He slapped his palm down on the table, startling the other man. Deep laughter rumbled up from his chest. “No, see?” He waved to indicate the identical orders. “She’s crazy about me.”
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A N
OTE
F
ROM
K
AT
Thank you for reading about Angeline and John Sinclair in
Losing Angeline,
Book Two in my
London Calling
series. Their story is yet unfinished, and I promise there will be more to tell in a future novella. Until then, have faith and enjoy the other couples of
London Calling
.
Book Three will bring us back to Natalie and Dominic from
A Matter of Trust
(
London Calling
Book One)
. Stay tuned to find out whether they can overcome the pain of past betrayals to build a better and stronger future together.
Make sure you don’t miss new releases and free books by joining my readers’ group! Sign up at
http://www.katfaitour.com
and join the fun.
And finally, if you loved
Losing Angeline
, it would do me a great service if you would leave a short review on Amazon or Goodreads. Your assistance in recommending this book spreads the word to new readers and helps others find my series.
Thank you!
Kat Faitour
A
BOUT
K
AT
F
AITOUR
I write about modern, sexy characters in fabulous settings. No matter what, romance is always guaranteed in my emotionally punchy, smart, and passionate stories.
My lifelong love affair with books began at the age of three when my brother taught me to read. It was an ambitious undertaking, since he was only five. He always made sure I kept up with what he was reading, which meant I missed out on books by Dr. Seuss in favor of those by J.R.R. Tolkien and Anne McCaffrey.
Unfortunately for my brother (and fortunately for me), I was introduced to romance as a young teen and nothing has been the same since. While I still read his fantasy and fiction picks, my passion always brings me back to romances with compelling emotional stories.
Alas, my brother believes me to be a libertine, abandoning the realms of higher genre fiction to wallow in sexy stories about beautiful people in gorgeous places.
I suppose he’s right. But I remind him all the best stories are adventures. And what better adventure than two people finding each other, learning to love, and spending their lives together?