A line of chefs works behind a beautiful wooden sushi bar, slicing fish and putting together small plates. As the newest restaurant at the Mile, the entire event is full-on glamour. I recognize some famous faces, including the newest Victoria’s Secret model. The crowd is New York and LA’s finest, complete with A-list celebrities, just as Slade promised.

I order a dirty martini with Grey Goose vodka when Eve comes up next to me. We hug, and she looks absolutely gorgeous.

“Lauren,” she starts, “Slade is seriously doing well for your complexion. I mean, you’re glowing.”

“He is amazing in bed. Like, off the charts,” I brag, making the conscious choice to let tonight be about enjoyment and not hysteria.

Eve is so proud of her man. There is no way I’m taking any of that happiness away with my personal drama.

“Let’s toast to that!”

She raises her flirty-looking pink martini, and I do the same. We clink our glasses and take our sips when I feel a body behind mine. Thinking it’s Slade, I do an about-face with a huge smile. Who I see is super hot but not the man I was expecting.

Tall, dark, and sexy doesn’t seem to mind my overly happy greeting. “Hey there, beautiful.”

The way he’s staring at me has my stomach fluttering.

I pause, mouth agape before I erupt in laughter. “Sorry for that wide-eyed hello. I thought you were someone else for a minute there.”

He puts out his hand, brown eyes twinkling. “Alexander.” His hand is soft, but his grip is warm.

“I’m Lauren.”

“What brings you here to the opening?” He leans casually against the bar, raising a scruffy chin to the bartender before moving his gaze back to mine.

Dark, wavy hair, slightly too long, brushes against his forehead. I have the urge to put my fingers through the soft strands and push it back away from his face. He’s handsome. More than that, he’s a type I know well.

“I’m actually visiting a friend of mine who lives here.” I turn to Eve and wink. “And you?”

“This is my restaurant.” He turns to the eager bartender. “Macallan, rocks, please.”

“Right away, sir.”

Alexander looks back to me, and I can’t stop the gush of, “Oh my God, really? It’s beautiful! And the food is amazing.” It seems that old habits die hard. “Have you been in this business a while?” My eyes widen, as they’ve done countless times before. A nagging voice tells me this is wrong, but I swat it away. My feelings for Slade are so strong, but Slade’s not—

Eve whispers in my ear, “I’m going to check on Vincent. Have fun!” She gives me a dorky thumbs-up before stepping away.

I know how much she loves Slade, but we both know he’s unavailable. Unfortunately, she has no idea just how unavailable he really is. My heart is at war.

Alexander continues, “This is actually the second Hook I’ve opened. First is in the Meatpacking District in New York City. But I’m planning on opening another in London within the next sixth months. Have you been to Lao?”