Chapter 677

"Alpha Landry," the hostess said, a polite smile on her face. "Your Beta just

dropped your children off. They are already seated at their usual table. Maybe I'll

escort you?" She asked, motioning for the back patio.

"Not necessary," Gavin said, wrapping an arm around my waist, keeping me

pinned to his side. The hostess glanced at me and her body tensed; she cleared

her throat, and then forced a tight smile.

"Of course," she said. "Enjoy your meal."

Without another word, Gavin put his hand on the small of my back and guided me

towards the patio entrance. It was a large space with a few tables spaced apart

with white umbrellas. Irene and Matt sat at one of the tables closest to the edge,

overlooking the harbor.

"Dad!" Matt was the first to spot us. He was already running towards us and

hugging both his father and me.

"Hope you weren't waiting long," Gavin said he running his fingers through Matt's

shabby brown hair.

"No, we just got here," Matt said, guiding us to the table.

"Have you ordered yet?" Gavin asked.

"Not yet. Irene told them we are waiting for you to arrive," Matt explained.

Gavin nodded.

Irene stood up when we approached, and as soon as her eyes met mine, they

widened. She stared at me from head to toe, her mouth agape.

"Is that my design?" She asked, her brows shooting up. "I didn't think you liked my

designs."

There was skepticism in her eyes, and I just gave her a cheery smile.

"Are you kidding me? This is the best design I've ever seen. I love the bright color

and the frilly skirt," I told her, a bit loudly as I smoothed the skirt with my hands.

"Is that so?" She asked. "Then maybe I can use you as my model. I created some

new designs recently that you'd look great in."

My cheeks burned.

"Oh, I'm not anything like a model. I'm sure you can use some actual models for

that," I said, waving off her suggestion.

"Nonsense... I'd rather someone who genuinely loves my designs and would

wear them every day to be my model," Irene said with a glint of humor in her eyes.

I could tell from the way Gavin was trying not to smile that Irene was teasing me.

She knew damn well I didn't like her style of clothes, and this was totally against

my typical wardrobe. I felt my cheeks heating.

Irene let out a laugh.

"Relax, Judy," she said lightly. "What is this about? Why are you deciding to

change your style all of a sudden?"

"I thought you'd like it," I confessed, lifting one of my shoulders.

She raised her brows.

"Why do you care what I like?" She asked. "Aren't we already friends?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the waiter.

"Good evening, Landry family," the waiter said.

"Carlton," Gavin greeted in return.

"Have you decided what you'd like to drink for this evening?"

"A martini, please," Irene said with a sweet smile. "With an extra olive."

"The usual," Carlton said with a nod.

"I'll have a Coke," Matt said, and Carlton nodded again, writing that on his

notepad.

"I'll take a scotch," Gavin said.

"Also, the usual," Carlton said, checking something off on his notepad.

Suddenly, all eyes were on me.

"I'll just have a water," I told him.

Carlton raised his eyes to meet mine and frowned.

We have a large drink menu with various selections. Have you not found anything

to your liking?" He asked.

My cheeks heated.

"No, I'm sure the drink menu is great.

I'm just in the mood for water," I told

him. I avoided Irene's curious gaze;

whenever we go out to eat together,

we both always get martinis.

Carlton opened his mouth to say something more, but Gavin cut him off.

"She asked for water," he said, his eyes pouring into Carolton's, his expression

and tone leaving no room for arguments.

"Yes, Alpha. My apologies," Carlton said, clearing his throat. "I'll get right on that."

Without another word, he hurried away.

"A water?" Irene asked, raising her brows. "Since when do you just drink water?"

I opened my mouth to come up with

some excuse, but Gavin's words

stopped me dead in my tracks

keeping my words stuck in mynoveldrama

throat.

"Since we found out we are

expecting a baby," Gavin so boldly

stated without missing a beat,

"There's going to be a new addition

to the Landry family."

The silence that followed his words was deafening.