AN: This chapter could have gone in a way different direction, but I wanted to keep it rated T. Thank you for all the reviews, I appreciate everyone's input and am working on improving the details when we reach the physical parts. Please continue to give me your questions, comments, and concerns - I love reading each one!

Disclaimer: All unoriginal content, characters, and plots taken from the authors of The 39 Clues. Everything else is my own creative content, and copying is not permitted.

THE ROOFTOP RESTAURANT
7: the hookup(s)

April 2022

Amy decided there was no reason to keep Ian a secret anymore and told Jake a month before the banquet. Granted, she left out several pieces of information and heavily edited the truth. All her fiance knew was this: Ian Kabra had a banquet he wanted to host in the American Museum of Natural History. As executive co-director, Amy was stuck answering to his every whim. Their correspondence had begun in January, when she became involved in the process, and would end in April immediately after the banquet.

Jake was surprised and slightly sour at the mention of Ian. He asked a few general questions about the wealthy man's whereabouts and that was it. She didn't expect him to let go of the subject so easily, but he did.

Amy's next step was to beg him to come to the banquet as her date. She was allowed five of her own guests. Nellie agreed, while Dan and Fiske were too busy to make the trip. She even called her best friend Sinead, who was shocked to hear from her but regrettably declined. The woman was a full-time, high-ranking branch official and she was very busy with Ekaterina business.

Every time she met Ian during their dinners last year, she felt an indescribable relief in his company. The man was devastatingly handsome and ridiculously charming to boot, but it was his strength and passion that made her want him. She knew the Lucian had danger and manipulation encoded in his DNA, but she fell victim to his flirtation and intelligence. When she had kissed him, the attraction that she had confused with friendship manifested as a fire in the pit of her stomach. It morphed into hurt when he had pushed her away the night in the museum archives.

Afterwards, she kept their interactions at a minimum and he began sending an employee in his place to meet about preparations. They didn't see each other for months, and despite the weight in her heart, she was relieved. No more lies, and no more inexplicable desire.

So when Jake agreed to come to her banquet the night before, she was elated. He had stayed the night in her New York apartment. It had been the first time he visited her and he was visibly perturbed at how expensive it was in contrast to their plain home in Boston. With Jake at the dinner, she wouldn't have to worry about Ian. The hatred between the two men would be enough to act as a buffer and to prevent her from feeling all the unfaithful, wrong emotions she had when she was around him.

Amy wrung her fingers in the limousine as it approached the museum. There were crowds gathered behind metal police blockades, trying to catch a glance of their favorite celebrities. Guests dressed in elegant, fashionable gowns and expensive suits posed in front of flashing cameras and police struggled to keep the paparazzi at bay. She caught sight of Ian through the window, his arm around a slender blonde.

Cara.

Her stomach turned and she felt nauseous. The thought of all four of them under the same roof—Ian, Amy, and their respective partners—brought back a wave of sickening guilt.

Jake took her hand. He squeezed her fingers and kissed her cheek, mistaking her distress as nerves.

"You look beautiful, Amy. Stop worrying. This will be over before you know it."

She thought she was going to vomit when she caught how tenderly he was looking at her. When he helped her out of the car, cameras documenting their arrival, Amy was stunned to hear that people seemed to know who she was.

"Director Cahill!" A reporter tried to stop her but a security guard ushered her on. "I spoke to Director Lee earlier and he told me how you organized this event. What was it like, working with Mr. Kabra?"

She shot the woman an apologetic smile and continued on inside. As soon as she reached the top stair and crossed the threshold, Nellie bounded to her side. She was wearing a strapless plum dress, her curls falling over her shoulders and her eyes lined with her trademark kohl. She had even taken out the nose ring and replaced it with a small silver stud.

"Holy shit, Amy. You will not believe who I met. Gordon-freaking-Ramsey! Why is he even at a museum?"

Amy couldn't stop herself from laughing at her starstruck enthusiasm. "Because he has money, Nellie."

"Okay, but what about her? Come on, what does a Victoria's Secret model have in common with Kabra LLC?"

Jake snorted and answered the question for her. "Money."

Amy spent the next half hour wading through members of the Board of Trustees, ducking past the rich and famous that didn't know who she was, and most importantly, avoiding Ian. She could feel his sharp gaze following her and Jake as she introduced him to Director Lee and Lily.

"That gown is doing fantastic things to your figure, sweetheart," Lily told her.

The old woman had forced Amy to join her hunt for a dress. She told her that there was always an influx of designers waiting to outfit the directors for the infamous Kabra banquet. Amy had been no exception. She had been given a dress straight off the runway to borrow for the night and a matching little clutch to store her belongings. She was dressed in a sleeveless sapphire gown with a low neckline and a slit much higher than she was used to. The bodice was covered in heavy beading and clung to her hips, flowing freely down her legs. She wore matching velvet block heels and earrings that were worth more than her annual salary. Her hair had been styled into a complicated updo, a few strands framing her face.

She lasted an entire dinner without talking to him. She stayed at her designated table and kept her eyes on the ivory cloth. Jake watched the entire ordeal with an interested expression on his face as Ian's accented voice echoed through the hall. She tuned out of his speech about his company and focused on the meal that had been brought out. Her stomach twisted and turned through dinner—when everyone finished their desserts, it meant it was her turn to take the podium. She stepped up to the platform and lowered the microphone to her height.

"If I could have your attention, please."

Amy hated how unsure her voice sounded. She made the mistake of looking over at Ian's table and his dark eyes bore into her. She wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up in bed with her favorite book. She had the entire hall's attention and sought out Jake instead.

"My name is Amy Cahill, and as you know, I am the newest executive co-director of this museum. In cooperation with Mr. Kabra, the American Museum staff and myself have put together an exclusive collection for your enjoyment. It would be my honor to begin the second—and much more entertaining, in my opinion—part of the night with a Space Show in the planetarium. As always, there will be drinks and an open bar."

There was a wave of laughter at her quiet attempt at humor and she smiled.

"Our museum guides will be at your disposal as you view our artifacts. Have a wonderful time, and thank you for your attendance!"

Her cheeks flushed a rosy color as she stepped off the podium and began ushering people into the appropriate wing. A few minutes later, Amy caught up with Nellie and Jake. To her disdain, Ian was walking towards her with his wife.

She pretending not to see him until his low voice called her name. She turned around and gave him a tight smile.

"Amy," he greeted. The dome was focused on the starry sky and the colors cast an ominous glow over Ian's face.

She plastered a smile and her gaze shifted to Cara. She wore a gold slip dress that clung to every curve of her thin body. Her white-blonde hair was swept into a tight ponytail and ruby earrings dangled from her ears. The woman was examining her carefully, her clear green eyes curious. She was just as poised as she remembered.

"It's been so long!" she said suddenly. "It's so nice seeing you again, Amy. These ten years have been kind to you."

She didn't know how to take the odd compliment and returned her friendly hug. In her periphery, she could see Nellie awkwardly greeting Ian and Jake giving him an uncomfortable handshake. The two men didn't seem to know how to treat one another. Amy didn't think the painful reunion couldn't get any worse.

"Isn't this nice? All the Cahills back at it. I never thought our paths would cross again," Cara continued.

Nellie nodded. "It only took ten years, but we aren't at each other's throats anymore."

Ian snorted and Amy caught him giving Jake a disdainful glance. "Well, we can't speak for everyone."

Jake hadn't understood the cleverly veiled insult, but Amy did. She purposefully took her fiance's arm and glared. Ian was visibly displeased— his shoulders squared in response and a deep frown set into his features.

Cara clearly didn't enjoy where the conversation was going and pretended to spot someone. She pointed him out to Ian. "You're going to want to save Luke before he ends up draped over a fossil like last year," she told her husband. Her body language exposed her desperation to rejoin their wealthier companions.

"Bloody hell. I'd better stop him before he embarrasses me again."

The couple bid their group farewell and joined a man waving a bottle of scotch in the air. Amy had never seen Ian so carefree as he responded to his friend's taunts with a wide grin and loud laughter.

Nellie waited until Jake wandered off to try to start a conversation with a public figure before she gave Amy her two-cents.

"Well, that wasn't awful," she breathed into her ear. "You didn't tell me Ian Kabra had become so freaking hot. He looks so much better in person."

Amy gave her a scandalized glare, as if she hadn't ran her hands all over his chest a few months ago.

"What? I'm not allowed to look?"

She frowned. "He has a giant metal pole up his ass. His wife couldn't stand talking to us for more than thirty seconds."

Nellie raised her eyebrows. "Woah, there. I thought you were having a great time 'catching up' with him. And what do his looks have anything to do with Cara?"

Amy stiffened. Nellie was too observant not to catch the bitterness in her tone. "It's nothing. I'm just tired. Working with him has been a pain in the ass."

Her former guardian patted her shoulder sympathetically. "At least it's over now."

"It's over. Now come on," she said, looping her arm through Nellie's, "let me show you the woodwork from the Ottoman Empire. You cannot believe how long I've been waiting to get my hands on an armoire."

"Nerd."

"Oh, shut up. If you came during the weekdays, you could've seen the Hard Rock exhibit in the American Life wing."

Her mouth dropped. "And suddenly, I like museums a lot more."

Amy laughed as they cut through the lobby. Their shoes clicked rhythmically against the marble tile. Her mouth opened to gush about how England had given them crown jewels on loan when she spotted Ian Kabra ducking into the private hallway. He'd sidestepped the velvet rope and 'OFFICIALS ONLY' poster without a second glance. She furrowed her eyebrows and unwound herself from Nellie's grasp.

"Hey, where are you going—"

"I'll be right back," Amy promised. "I'll catch up to you!"

She pushed through the doors into a wide hallway. Ian had disappeared. The area was heavily restricted under normal hours as it was the only access point for the offices and underground archives. She turned down the hallway and spotted him pacing the area in front of her office. He had a glass of liquor tightly clenched in one hand, the other tugging frustratedly at his hair. He looked so upset that she almost left him alone until she remembered how much she hated his self-entitled, privileged self.

She stopped a few yards away and crossed her arms over her chest. "Ian, you can't be here."

His voice was rough. "I know. I just needed some space."

"I know this is your party, but flaunting your money doesn't give you the right to be here," she insisted.

Ian turned to her, his jaw clenched and features twisted into a terrifying glare. "Just give me a bloody second."

She didn't know why she was so determined to kick him out, but she took a few confident steps forward. "What is up with you? Did you finally get sick of the pompous douchebags? Or was it your wife turning her nose at anyone without millions in their pockets?"

He didn't respond to her and his silence fueled her anger. All of her hurt and confusion swallowed her whole.

"Or maybe you finally looked in the mirror and realized what an awful cheat you are? God knows I do the same, but at least I can live with the fact that I know what I want!"

"You know what you want, eh?" He broke his silence with a humorless laugh. "You spent the entire night running away from me. The other half, you sent your babysitter to keep your fiance entertained. You don't have a clue."

Her eyes narrowed into slits and she seethed. "You have no right to comment on my relationship."

"Oh really? Rosenbloom must be keeping you positively glowing if you keep coming back to me for a snog."

She practically stomped forward. In her tall shoes, they were finally closer in height and she could look at him straight in the eye. "I hate you. I can't believe I thought you changed."

He brushed off the insult, unaffected. "And I can't believe I thought you'd grown out of your naivety."

"I'm not—"

"Then tell me what you want." His amber eyes held a challenge and she was too stubborn to refuse. "Be honest with yourself for two bloody seconds and I'll give it to you."

Amy was sure he could hear her heart thrumming uncontrollably in her chest. His words held a very dangerous promise and in that moment, she decided the repercussions were worth it. Both of them had showed up to the banquet with people they were unhappy with, and while infidelity was not the answer, it was close.

"I want you to forget about Cara and I want you to kiss me."

She only had a nanosecond to register his satisfied smirk before his mouth caught hers in a desperate kiss. While it was frantic and consuming, there was nothing rushed about it. She parted her teeth and he took advantage immediately.

Ian backed away for a millisecond and icy fear trickled down her spine until he gestured at the knob. "Open the door," he ordered, voice hoarse.

Amy popped open her clutch to bring out a ring of keys. After some impatient fumbling, the lock clicked open and Ian pressed her against the back of the closed door. He placed his crystal glass on a shelf somewhere and she heard her bag hit the ground. She really hoped the designer wouldn't make her pay if it cracked.

At this point, her mind was a muddled mess and she didn't register being gently pushed across the room until she felt her desk against her thighs. She slid back across the wood, thanking herself for keeping it empty of knickknacks, and he settled in between her legs. Impatient, her hands ran up the hard ridges of his chest and she unbuttoned his shirt to reveal cinnamon skin.

Ian slowly slid the fabric of her dress down her shoulders. His fingertips flitted across her collarbone and goosebumps broke out across her skin. She could barely catch her breath once his lips found the base of her neck, travelling lower as he dropped to his knees. Her hand closed around his silk tie and she dragged him back to her mouth where she could taste the whiskey on his tongue.

His hand snuck up her thigh and her dress bunched at the waist. They were flush from shoulder to hip and her legs tightened around him. A gush of air left his lips and his warm eyes met her gaze in a silent question.

In turn, her fingers nimbly found his belt and she made her decision.

Amy's hair was a train wreck. She'd given up on trying to fix the intricate updo and took out the clips holding it together. She ran her fingers through the auburn locks in an attempt to look presentable.

She could see Ian standing a few feet away, his eyebrows furrowed in frustration as he struggled to redo his tie. She'd taken the entire thing apart after using it to tug down his neck and level the distance between them. Once she'd slid her heels back on, she moved to help him. She swatted his hands away and looped the fabric herself.

"You're just as hopeless as Dan," she sighed.

Ian wrinkled his nose. "Please don't compare me to your brother."

"Why not?" His shirt was hopelessly wrinkled and she buttoned his jacket back up. "You're both equally as dense."

He frowned at her. Her burgundy lipstick had rubbed onto his face and she laughed despite herself. She rubbed a thumb across his mouth to remove the pigment.

Ian had an uncharacteristically gentle expression. "You look beautiful," he told her.

She felt a rosy hue creeping up her neck. It was a little too late to be bashful, but he planted a languid kiss on her bruised lips.

In that moment, someone decided to try the doorknob. Amy cursed when she realized she left the keys in the lock and the door flung open.

Nellie stood in the threshold, stunned. Her jaw dropped and she struggled to find words. Ian took a long step away from Amy, but their disheveled state and the lingering smell of sex was incriminating. She was lightheaded and tried to muster an explanation.

"Everyone has been looking for you two. You'd better thank God that Lee sent me in here to find Amy instead of coming himself." Nellie had wiped all emotion and Amy knew she was saving it for later. She focused her attention on Ian. "They want you to give the closing remarks. Amy, the museum staff is waiting for directions on wrap up."

Ian cleared his throat and nodded. "I'd better come up with something," he muttered, and made a swift exit without looking at either of them.

It was only her and Nellie, and she tried to speak. "I don't know what to say. That was the first time and I swear, it'll never—"

"I don't care, Amy. You're an adult." Her voice was a lot more gentle than she expected. She had averted her gaze, as if she were embarrassed to look at her, and tears sprung to Amy's eyes. "Just know that while you were with Ian in here, Jake was outside bragging about what an incredible, honest, and intelligent woman he is marrying. Think about that before you do this."

Amy waited for Nellie to leave before she collected herself. She swallowed the lump in her throat, wondering why the tears weren't from regret— but from the realization that her relationship had become an inescapable burden. By the time she stepped back into the party, Ian had already started speaking.

Director Lee appeared at her side. He began speaking to her until he noticed her glazed expression. "Are you okay, Amy?"

She turned to him, dismissing his concern. "I'm just a little tired. Don't worry, I'll take over and get the entire thing cleaned up," she promised.

He smiled understandingly and Jake replaced him next to her. She winced when his hand settled on her lower back.

"I told you," he muttered to her, "your hair looks better down. I'm so proud of you for tonight."

She squeezed her eyes shut and redirected her attention to the man at the front of the room. She was neck deep in remorse and needed a distraction. Every inch of her skin still burned from Ian's touch.

"... so, I would like to say a few words as our event comes to a close."

His amber eyes were trained on her from across the room as he gave his final speech. He raised his glass in a toast, and in turn, the entire room did as well.

"To the people that helped me build Kabra LLC into the fortress it is today. To the investors, executives, and donors that believed in my vision. To my sister, who would have been the perfect cheerleader through the long nights. To my beloved Cara, for standing by my side all these years. And lastly," he paused, and she saw him swallow hard, "to the American Museum and Director Cahill for making this memorable night possible. Cheers."