The red light flashed, announcing the end of the intermission.
“Well, time to go back to my peers. Have a good evening,” he added, throwing me a final look before exiting the booth, as if nothing had happened.
I frowned, looking at the now empty doorway. Why did his words sound like a threat?
The lights dimmed again and I turned toward the stage, but the enjoyment of the show had dimmed for me. Even if I knew it was impossible, it was almost like I could feel Hugo’s eyes on me despite the darkness.
Once the show was finished and we gave Duzbeyevo a well-deserved fifteen-minute standing ovation, I reached for my shawl, expecting us to follow the crowd out. However, James sat again, looking at me thoughtfully.
“Are we… staying?”
“Just a minute. Let’s wait for the main crowd to be gone. It will be much easier to navigate.” He gestured back to my seat. “Sit, please.”
I quickly glanced at the balconies and sat back down, turning on my seat to face him.
“Top row, right there.” James pointed behind me.
“What?” I turned around, following his finger to the empty top booth that was brightly lit up.
“The Golden Box? It’s there.”
“Oh, I didn’t—” I stopped talking, not wanting to insult him more by lying to his face.
He let out a sigh, tapping his fingers on his thigh. “Are you two together?”
“No,” I replied, shaking my head quickly.
“Does he know that?” he asked, his tone slightly mocking.
“Yes, of course, it’s ju… No, it’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?”
“I’m his brother’s best friend.”
He arched his brows. “He has a brother?”
I nodded. “Yes, they’re quite different.” That was one way to put it. “And I think he just feels responsible toward me for Ethan’s sake.”
James shook his head. “I know jealousy and possessiveness when I see them. Admittedly, it’s not something I would have imagined that cold British white bread to ever feel or show, but no Ava, that was for no one’s sake but his own. And I suspect that your nervousness tonight was not only due to this potential date but to the man you work for.”
“Part of me felt very guilty,” I admitted, too tired to keep on playing a game without purpose.
“Because of him?”
I shook my head. “Because of you.” That was partially true.
“Me?” He raised his brow in surprise, pointing to his chest.
I nodded. “I’m pregnant,” I admitted, pointing at my empty bottle of water. “I never should have accepted a date with you without telling you the truth.”
“And the father is—”
“Not in the picture,” I replied quickly, way too worried that he would ask me head-on if Hugo was the father. I’d never been the best liar. “He doesn’t want a child and I don’t want him as a father.” I shrugged. “I should have told you.”
He nodded silently, and I realized that the room was now empty. I stood up, pulling the shawl onto my shoulders.
“I am tired. I would like to go home,” I added, giving him a way to end the evening without saying anything further.