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

had no desire to

her nervous. And maybe it was just her imagination, but he didn't seem especially pleased

didn't want to

aggrieved, Gabrielle shot Serena a plaintive

gaze and offered an apologetic smile. She hadn't meant for things to

right-she really did owe William a dinner, whether or not he'd been the one who had smoothed things over the other day. He'd certainly helped her out plenty

inviting William out alone just felt... odd. So she'd

said, pushing two menus toward Gabrielle and William. William slid his menu back to Serena. "Ladies first.

side, pressed her

the menu and started to order, though her earlobes

she finished, Gabrielle rested her chin in her hands, watching William choose

William was handsome-so much

the way he scrolled

so that event

finger glided across the

keep staring at me?" William's calm

I just think you and our Serena would make

looked up again, his smile was mild and