Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 275

Three days later.

A French restaurant.

Gabrielle had just taken her seat when she spotted William being led in by a staff member. Her eyes widened in surprise.

William seemed equally taken aback when he saw Gabrielle, though he quickly composed himself and offered a warm, courteous smile. "Hello, Miss Chatham."

Gabrielle's lips twitched with awkwardness. "Um... Mr. Grayson, what brings you here?"

"Serena invited me to dinner, so here I am. And you, Miss Chatham?"

Gabrielle pressed her lips together, uncertain how to answer.

She was only here because Serena had asked her out for a meal as well. The last thing she'd expected was to be dining with William.

How did she get so lucky-or unlucky?

Thankfully, just a few minutes later, Serena appeared in the doorway, and the awkward tension in the private room finally eased.

jumped up and clung to Serena's arm, relief washing over

had no desire to face

William made her nervous. And maybe it was

want to play the

Gabrielle shot Serena a plaintive

caught Gabrielle's gaze and offered an apologetic smile. She hadn't meant for

not he'd been the one who had smoothed things over the other day.

alone just felt... odd. So she'd asked Gabrielle

William. William slid his menu back to Serena. "Ladies first. Please, go ahead." Serena hesitated, surprised by his

pressed her lips together to hide

accepted the menu and started to order, though her

in her hands, watching William

William was handsome-so much

the way he scrolled

so that event

the tablet was a pleasure to behold. His slender finger glided across the screen

is there a reason you keep staring at

mischievously. "Oh, nothing. I just think you and our Serena would make a perfect couple. You're

but when he looked up again, his smile was mild and