Fated(21)

Anna shot Lukas another black look before opening her menu. “If I hadn't had to listen to you whine like a little bitch for the last hour and a half I wouldn't be in this mood, Lukas.”

Lukas cocked his head to the side and sniffed, busying himself in studying his menu. I put my chin in the palm of my hand that rested on the table, my eyes darting back and forth as they bickered. I swallowed another giggle, deciding it was time to enter the conversation.

“So how do you know Stefan, Lukas?” I asked him, watching as Stefan's smile disappeared and he sent Lukas a look of caution.

He shot Stefan a pointed look, then focused on me after he closed his menu and placed in on the table in front of him. “Stefan and I worked on a project together many years ago. We struck up a friendship and the rest is history.” He puckered his lips at Stefan. “I'm hurt that you didn't mention me to Josie. I thought we were better friends, Stefan.” Lukas made a production of pulling his napkin out and wiping a non-existent tear away from his eye.

Stefan sighed heavily and rubbed his hand over his face in response to Lukas' theatrics, leaving me to wonder if I was in the presence of the gayest man, or should I say vampire, in the world.

Anna didn't try to hide her very visible eye roll. “Lukas. Take it down 15 notches on the Drama Queen scale. I still need to be able to eat tonight.”

The server returned with their drinks and Stefan pointed to his empty drink glass, silently requesting another drink. I shook my head at Stefan, picking up my glass and taking a tiny sip.

Lukas and Anna ordered appetizers, and after the server left Anna turned to face me in her chair. She'd known me for quite some time and she had never known of me to even give the time of day to any man in Bali. Her curiosity and confusion was so strong that I had to slam my shield into place to block her.

“I see Georgia didn't have to kick Stefan's ass this morning. I'm assuming all hair was accounted for?” Anna asked snarkily, stirring her drink with the tiny straw and raising it to take a deep swallow.

“Yes. Georgia was overjoyed to see that Josephine was in good hands when she used her key and entered Josephine's villa this morning. Uninvited,” Stefan replied dryly. He stared at me intensely and I could feel the heat and lust rushing through that one burning look. My stomach did a flip flop as I thought of different ways to undress him later, uncomfortably crossing my legs under the table.

“That's Georgia. Accept it now, it'll be easier for you than fighting it,” Anna said as she finished her drink. She started looking around for the server to get a refill. “Lukas, I'm going to the bathroom. If our server comes around, get me another drink please.” She slid away from the table and disappeared inside the restaurant. Lukas waited for Anna to get out of hearing range and then turned to Stefan.

“So this is the mystery woman.” Lukas looked at me critically. He was quiet for a moment as he focused on me and turned his head from side to side, making me feel like I was under a microscope. I realized that this “dinner date” was no surprise by his comments and obvious scrutiny. “She's as stunning as you described she'd be. I'm assuming she knows.”

“Yes. She knows of what we are. She is extremely perceptive. And beautiful,” Stefan responded in a low voice, reaching across the table to take my hand. I shot Stefan a look filled with ire, a flush creeping across my cheeks. I hated being talked about as if I wasn't there, like I was a child that was incapable of keeping up with the conversation. Stefan raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised at my sudden irritation.

“Hello, I'm sitting right here! You don't have to talk about me like I'm not here!” I exclaimed loudly. Stefan's thumb rubbed a calming circle on the palm of the hand he was holding and Lukas observed my display with an excited giggle, his eyes twinkling.

“I like her. She passes,” Lukas said as he clasped his hands together. “Oh, Josie. I thought he'd never find you. I was starting to think he was crazy.”

Letting out a muffled laugh, my mouth twitched in response to Lukas' statement. Stefan was the crazy one?!? I'd witnessed more drama and craziness from Lukas in the last 30 minutes than I had all day.

The server approached with Anna's food and Stefan's drink and Lukas took the opportunity to place a new drink order for Anna. After the server left, he leaned around Stefan to pour half of his drink onto the patio. He picked up a few of the wontons gingerly with his fingers and placed them into his napkin, wadding it up and tossing it under the table. He placed one on his plate and then turned to Stefan again. It was apparent that I was getting a crash course in Vampire Eating 101.

“The Council will want to meet her,” Lukas advised simply as he turned his attention to me. “Has he explained the Council to you?”