Page 56 of My Forbidden Billionaire
I choose some random dishes off the menu and repeat them to the waiter. He comes back shortly after with our food.
Except that tonight, I don’t really care about eating.
“Gosh, the way he’s staring at you is just … I thought you were down bad, but wow. He’s in over his head!”
“Do you really think so?” I ask.
“Jo, I’m telling you. There’s more heat between you two then there is in the kitchen,” Larisa says with a smile that comforts me. “Now, let’s order some dessert.”
The evening drags on and, with it, the intensity of my feelings. I can no longer deny my longing for him. The restaurant’s dim, romantic lighting illuminates every curve in his exquisite face, and in my head I create a thousand scenarios in which we are together.
I pretend to listen to my friends’ dinner table chit-chat, but all of my focus is on the other side of the restaurant.
When I sense movement at Jacob’s table, I wake from my reverie. I can see that most of the businessmen who were accompanying him are now getting up, clearly ready to leave. Three different waiters rush to bring them their coats.
My heart is beating so loud I’m worried he’ll hear it.
I feel as if I’m going to choke.
That’s when I realize that Jacob’s walking and already halfway to our table.
I take a deep breath as I struggle to make my hands stop shaking. I can’t even muster the strength to warn my friends.
“Good evening, ladies.” Here he is—tall and imposing, a perfect specimen of man, and he’s standing at our table.
Emmy and Larisa stop chatting to look up, and they’re just as awestruck as I am.
“Please, excuse me,” he continues, “it’s not my intention to interrupt your conversation or to spoil the wonderful evening that I am sure you are spending together. I merely want to say hello to Josephine. May I?”
Emmy and Larisa are both taken aback by his refined manners.
“Sure, sure, yeah … you may … please …”
Jacob smiles politely and directs his attention to me once more.
“Josephine, I’m so happy to see you here this evening. Have you enjoyed the Korean dishes?”
“Yes, absolutely. And I’m happy to see you too, Jacob. Please, allow me to introduce you to my best friends, Emmy and Larisa.”
Jacob gives a small bow.
“Ladies, once more, delighted.”
“As are we…” they say in unison, as if hypnotized.
A slight, awkward pause follows. Larisa gets up from the table and slowly pulls Emmy as well. “I think I need to refresh my makeup after this wonderful meal. Emmy, will you join me?”
She immediately understands that Jacob and I might want a moment alone and, soon enough, both girls disappear along with their purses down the corridor to the ladies’ bathroom.
I look up at Jacob’s face. It’s the first time we’ve spoken in two weeks and I’m shaking with anticipation as I wait for him to say something.
He pauses for a moment, and then speaks in a slow, deliberate, and quiet voice. “Jo, I’ve missed you. How have you been?”
My eyes widen at his confession, and I feel a rush of heat spread through me. I try my best to keep my composure, but my heart is beating so fast that I can hardly breathe.
I’ve been a mess, because I’m head over heels in love with you, and I can’t stop thinking about you.
That’s what I want to say. But, “I’ve missed you too,” comes out instead, barely above a whisper. There’s a moment of silence as we both just stare at each other, lost in our own thoughts. “I really wish things were different...” I sigh.