Chapter 286
But Briana was buzzing around the gallery, making sure everything was in order.
Shepard just couldn’t say no to her.
Dusk was settling in, and the crowd in the gallery thinned out.
Before long, the exhibition hall was empty.
The security guards patrolled the halls while the cleaners finished up their work.
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Briana stood right in the middle of the exhibition hall, going over each painting with care, until she walked straight into
someone’s arms
Briana started, “Sorry-“Then she blinked in surprise. “Wait, huh?”
Briana looked up and found it was Shepard
Her face lit up. “Hey, it’s you! When did you get here?”
Tve been here for a while, Shepard replied.
“Why didn’t you tell me before? I didn’t even notice you, Briana said. “Have you had dinner yet?”
I was waiting for you, Shepard said, giving her nose a playful tap. “You were so caught up in the paintings. How could you possibly notice me?”
Her eyes curved with laughter. “Don’t tell me you’re actually jealous of the paintings now?”
I am.” Shepard nodded. “I just wish you’d look at me as seriously as you look at those paintings.”
Briana blinked. “I look at you so much more seriously–like, a million times more–than I ever look at a painting.”
She made sure he got the point.
Shepard let out a soft sigh. “Will you be done with everything in the next couple of days?”
I should be able to wrap things up by the weekend, Briana replied. “I just took on another art exhibition, and it happens to be scheduled for both days this weekend. It’s for one of Mr. Dean’s friends, so I couldn’t really say no.”
Shepard pressed his lips together.
Briana quickly looped her arm through his and gave it a gentle shake. I promise I’ll check into the hospital next Monday to prepare for delivery. No more excuses. I promise!”
“If you don’t check into the hospital next Monday, Dad, Mom and Grandma will just haul you in themselves before I do,” Shepard said.
Briana made a face and stuck out her tongue. “Alright. I hear you!”
Shepard stuck with her as they checked out every painting in the hall, and only after that did the two of them finally head out of the gallery together.
He’d already booked a place for dinner.
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Chapter 286
From their booth, the sparkling night lights of Belaris were visible right through the window.
The heavily pregnant Briana struggled to get comfortable in her seat.
Shepard sat right beside her, so he could take care of her easily.
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“My belly’s gotten so huge. It’s honestly such a pain,” Briana complained. “Just sitting down or getting up is a struggle, and don’t even get me started on trying to sleep. It’s honestly torture. At least the baby’s coming soon.”
Shepard was about to say something to comfort her, but Briana continued, “But honestly, it’s not like things get much easier after the baby’s born. The recovery is rough too, and I still have no idea if it’ll be a C–section or a natural birth.
“Being a mom is really hard… but honestly, it’s kind of incredible.”
She gently rubbed her belly.
Shepard said softly, “I’ll be right here with you.”
He couldn’t really help with the whole pregnancy thing, so the only thing he could do was just be there for her, every chance he got.
“Oh, I’m not trying to whine or anything,” Briana said, not wanting Shepard to feel guilty. “It’s just how it is for all moms, you know? I’ve already ordered some food, so take a look and see if there’s anything else you want to add.”
Shepard took the menu.
Briana leaned her head on his shoulder.
Briana glanced at the menu, then out the window, and finally started absently scanning the restaurant, feeling restless.
Just then, two people walked in through the front door.
The waiter went over to greet them.
Briana thought, “Wait, they look kind of familiar!‘
Briana studied them for a moment and finally recognized who they were.
“Hey, Shepard Briana tugged at his sleeve. “Look. Isn’t that Charles and Camila over there?”
Shepard followed her gaze.
“Yeah” He nodded. “That’s them”
“Seriously, what are the chances?” Briana was totally in gossip mode. “We’re out on a date, and we just happen to bump into them on theirs too?”
‘Maybe, Shepard said.
“It’s been half a year already, Briana pouted. “What’s up with Charles? He still hasn’t managed to win Camila over, He needs to step up his game, go all out, and make a real move. He can’t keep dragging his feet and being all wishy–washy”
She almost wished she could just jump in and chase Camila herself for Charles.
But unfortunately, when it came to love, no one else could really help.
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Chapter 286
In the end, it was all on him.
Briana kept watching Charles and Camila. Her gaze followed them until they finally took their seats.
“Shepard, can we switch tables?” she asked. “I want to sit at the one right next to them.”
That way, maybe she could eavesdrop a little on their conversation.
Shepard sighed, a little exasperated. “They’re out on a date, and so are we, Briana.”
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“Hey, we’re basically a married couple now. We’ll be eating together for the rest of our lives,” Briana said. “Missing one dinner is no big deal. Eavesdropping on gossip is way more important!”
Briana couldn’t help herself. She was itching to find out what Charles and Camila were chatting about during their meal.
Briana grumbled to herself, ‘How are they still stuck at square one?
‘Six months already!
‘Six whole months!
I’m about to pop, and Charles and Camila still aren’t even a thing!‘
“Come on. Let’s go!” Briana was already halfway out of her seat, buzzing with excitement. “Let’s switch tables!”
Like Shepard could ever say no to her.
Whatever Briana said, that was the law.
After they switched tables, Briana was all fired up. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. There wasn’t a hint of her earlier exhaustion left.
She was totally focused on the table next to them, barely paying attention to anything else.
Shepard just sighed, half–exasperated, half–amused, as he poured her some water.
At the next table, Charles and Camila had been talking about work nonstop.
After they’d talked shop for a while, Charles finally said, “I’ve got a business trip to Estovia coming up early next month. Want to go with me?”
“Me?‘ Camila raised an eyebrow. “Do I really have to? If you can send someone else, that’d be way better. I’ve got a ton of stuff to deal with at the office, and honestly, I can’t stand long flights.”
“Alright then,” Charles said, sounding a bit disappointed.
Briana was getting anxious, feeling nervous for Charles.
Briana thought, ‘Come on. It’s the perfect opportunity. Just the two of them on a trip, and there’s obviously something between them. How could he just let this chance slip?
‘Camila says no, and Charles just backs off? Seriously?
‘He needs to push a little. Come on!
‘No wonder nothing’s happening between them.
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With Charles’s attitude and lack of initiative, it’s no wonder nothing’s moving forward.
‘Honestly, Camila probably doesn’t even see him that way anymore.
‘Give it a little more time, and some other guy’s probably going to swoop in and make a move on Camila!‘
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Briana was exasperated. She turned to Shepard and asked, “If it were you, how would you try to win Camila over?”
“I’d only ever go after you,” Shepard said.
Shepard sure knew how to play it safe.
Briana laughed. “Well, I just mean if you had to!”
Shepard shook his head. “I’ve never really tried to win a girl over.”
Briana thought, ‘Alright. Fair enough.
‘Yeah, that’s true.
‘He is just your typical clueless guy. He has no idea how to pull off any of those smooth moves.
Briana leaned forward a bit and shot a glance at the table next to them.
She wanted to see what kind of looks Charles and Camila had on their faces.
Just as Briana glanced over, Camila turned and looked right at her.
Their eyes locked.
After a brief pause, Briana waved. “Hi.”
Camila looked genuinely surprised. “Mrs. Carter, you’re here too?”
“Yeah, what a coincidence! I just saw you two,” Briana said, trying to play it cool.
Briana kept a gentle smile on her face, but inside, she was dying of embarrassment.
But really, what could she do at this point?
She’d already been busted.
“You guys go on. Pretend I was never here,” Briana said quickly, “I won’t crash your date. I promise!”
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