Chapter 38

• ALICIA POV
• Sixteen minutes later, I know for a fact this was a bad idea. A really, really bad idea. Since we got here, Harden hasn't said a single word. He's just been glaring at me like I'm the one who put a curse on his coffee this morning. Lisa hasn't stopped staring at him, and Dawn, who seems to have completely forgotten I exist, is focused on Lisa. He's so focused on her that he's topped up her wine, ordered her food, and even growled at a waiter who got a little too close to her while setting down her plate.
• As for me? I gave up trying to have a conversation with a bunch of statues and am now just staring at my food. It might be delicious, but I wouldn't know. I've only managed to swallow a few bites, and they felt like sandpaper. I reach for my wine and gulp it all down. A waiter appears out of nowhere, ready to refill my glass, but Harden gives him a look that could curdle milk. The poor guy pales, puts the bottle on the table, and backs away like he's just seen a ghost. Harden grabs the bottle and fills my glass himself. I pick it up and drain half of it. The wine hits my stomach and sends a warm buzz through my veins.