“Really, anything is fine,” she tells him. “I’ve never had the chance to eat here, but I’ve heard the entire menu is delicious.”
“Amore,”he warns. “What is your favorite dish?”
Another nibble. Then she gives in to Dean’s overbearingness. “Mushroom risotto.”
“Done,” he says, snatching up the menus and turning toward the swinging door that leads to the kitchen.
“I—” I begin.
He doesn’t acknowledge me, and he sure as shit doesn’t take my order. He just tells Marie, “Wine will be out soon,” and then disappears into the kitchen, the door swinging closed behind him.
Marie’s gaze stays on that swaying metal panel for a long moment.
Then she turns back to me and whispers, “I didn’t think that risotto was on the menu.”
“It’s not,” I tell her. “As far as I know?—”
But I barely get the words out before a waiter is bustling back in, a bottle of wine in hand. He pours generously then disappears just as quickly, not giving me a chance to ordermyfood—and it’s not going to be mushroom risotto.
For one, I can’t stand risotto.
For another, mushrooms only make the already cloying dish more disgusting.
Which is a thought that’s going to remain inside my head.
I don’t want my Dean’s privileges revoked…or another dozen favors tacked onto my list.
Plus, I need to behave.
Because I have the feeling that not even Molly’s peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are going to compare with what Dean whips up.
Twenty-Seven
Marie
Full bodiedred wine that competes with the best of the best from Jean-Michel’s winery.
Crusty sourdough with salted, herbed butter.
A spring salad with a tart dressing, cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese.
King crab legs and roasted asparagus.
And then?—
“Mmm,” I moan, eyes closing, tastebuds humming. The mushrooms are divine, earthy with just the perfect amount of chew, the rice is creamy but not mushy, and the slivers of steak positioned throughout the dish are so tender they literally melt in my mouth.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a better bite of food.
Seriously.
And I’m not—or I wasn’t—even that hungry when the plate came out, too enamored by the previous dishes to pace myself.
I’m not going to be able to eat daintily now either.
Because it’s just too good.
“Now that’s the face of a satisfied woman.”
