The Six: Genesis | A Reverse Harem Novel

Eighty-Nine

Sorry for the random hiatus. Writer's block had me by the throat! Hopefully, it's gone now and I can finish up Six and start posting some of the new stuff.

Anyway, thank you for your patience and support. Don't forget to vote and comment. Those of you who have been, I appreciate ya. 

X.O. Vance

"Well... this is awkward."

Three plates of roasted chicken and vegetables later and I still hadn't said anything to Jason beyond a bemused hello. Why was he here? How was he here?

Did I even want to know? What if he saw me leave the office and get on this train? If so, how long had he been following me?

In a word, yes, this entire charade was awkward. My mind was rushing a million directions every second, hoping to find the easiest way to escape this situation. And in the aftermath, would he tell Chris, Charlie, and Michael he'd seen me?

Oh, no... had he already told them?

"You can talk to me, you know," he said, working through his second plate of steak and potatoes. It seemed heavenly, and I seriously considered ordering it next. "You're going to eat yourself half to death trying to avoid talking to me."

Dropping my fork, I push my empty plate to the edge of the table and raise an eyebrow at him. His dark chuckle makes my stomach flutter. In my time away from him, I'd forgotten how handsome he is.

Jason had always been larger than life, but amongst the furnishings in this train, he seems even bigger.

"They're running themselves ragged trying to find you," he continues, abandoning his fork to grab the cold beer next to him. Condensation leaks off the sides, filling the black granite coaster to the brim.

Shrugging, I nod at the server and ask for the same thing Jason is eating without speaking a word. He takes my empty plate and refills my wine glass before turning to disappear behind the shiny steel double doors at the far end of the restaurant. Another server's face peeks out of the window affixed to the top left-hand side of the left door, eyes trained on me.

For the last hour, they've been watching me steadily eat more and more food. If they only knew how many thousands of calories I need to consume to keep my system running at peak output, they'd probably pass out. I should be bursting at the seams, but hunger gnarls relentlessly at my stomach.

This restaurant is better than I expected and exclusively tied to the first-class cabins on this train car. Opulent gold lacquers the doorknobs, the edge of the freestanding bar over my left shoulder, the tables, and the chairs. It balances with the white cushions, white granite countertops, and tan carpeting. Angels depicted in heaven stretch over the narrow ceiling, reaching out toward one another with somber expressions.

Oversized windows bend upward, letting in the light and the sight of grand oak trees spreading their branches toward the heavens on either side of the angel painting. The staff wear matching uniforms. They're dark green, pairing a collared shirt with dark slacks and a gold apron around their waists. Comfortable, but easily distinguishable within the guest pool.

"Nothing?" He asks, head tilting to the side to study me closely. "That's cold—even for you."

Rolling my eyes, I shuffle backward to allow the server to drop a plate of steak, potatoes, and asparagus before me. Fresh herbs hit me like a wave. Greedily, I suck in the wonderful scents of thyme, rosemary and basil.

"Okay. Fine. I won't try to bait you anymore."

Smirking, I simply raise my eyebrow at him a second time and then dig in.