Chapter 42

• I laughed too loudly, intentionally drawing some attention to us. The cocktails arrived quickly, we clinked glasses, and I broke into a broad smile because I saw Kat and James being escorted to their table right next to us. They sat down across from one another, with Kat facing me.
• The restaurant was loud, and the tables sat fairly close together. James gave me a slight look of recognition initially, trying to place my face. I glanced at him with the same expression a few times. Kat just smiled her TV smile. Gloria and I chatted benignly and drained out first cocktails before ordering another round. I picked up my phone, appearing to absentmindedly scroll through it. I had opened the Lelo app. Much to my satisfaction, it paired with a device. Kat had obeyed. I turned it on low and noticed her readjust her position in her seat. She tugged slightly at the sides of her floral-patterned jumper. I continued to increase the speed until I saw her react, then I backed it off to a lower, steady setting.
• Kat and James ordered drinks, and Gloria and I finished our second cocktails. We ordered appetizers and a round of shots. As always with Gloria, we were a little boisterous, and it caught the attention of our neighbors. I caught Kat's eyes once or twice and made contact with a smile. She was biting her lip. I turned up the Lelo and left it. That's when James finally made the connection.