(Astrid POV)
Thankfully, once we ordered dinner, the conversation improved—somewhat. Kael spent most of the time asking Derek about himself: his favorite cars, his experiences with other drivers, the races he'd won, and a bunch of other stuff that went way over my head.
Charlotte tried to chime in a few times—after all, she had spent countless hours researching him—but Derek only responded with polite indifference.
Kael must've sensed my rising tension, because in the middle of a very animated discussion about car engines, he suggested we dance while we waited for the food to arrive.
I gratefully accepted.
"How are you doing?" Kael mind-linked me as he pulled me close on the dance floor.
"Better now," I replied honestly. "I'm just a little worried about Charlotte."
"Yeah. Her mate is a Grade-A a**hole."
I burst out laughing. "What? How can you say that? You've been fan-girling since he walked in."
"I have not."
