#Chapter 81: Unlucky Thirteen

Julian’s POV I thought I arrived promptly at the restaurant, but perhaps I was early, since I didn’t see anyone else there yet. Well, anyone other than Chase. He was looking at me like the devil himself just walked through the door, and I knew it didn’t have anything to do with the fact of my timing. It meant Carla hadn’t told him that she invited me. Good. Concealing my inner joy at his being unprepared and flabbergasted under a stone-face, I walked toward him. “Thanks for the invite, Chase.” Chase frowned even harder. “What the hell are you talking about?” “Carla told me you were taking the entire clinic out to celebrate your recent good news,” I told him. “Carla…?” “I’m sure everyone is on their way and will be here in a minute,” I added. “Everyone…?” Chase echoed again, looking utterly lost. The hostess cleared her throat. “Table for two, Sir?” Glancing back at her, he returned back to him himself, if only a little. He cleared himself and told her, “No. Uh…