“In fact.” I inch a little closer and continue, “Caroline was just talking about her salmon craving. She gets on these incredible food kicks and will eat the same dish in a variety of ways for weeks.” She doesn’t catch on until I tap the menu.
Her brow crinkles, and she purses her lips. “Actually, I was thinking about ordering the lamb.”
I flash her a sharp look, muttering, “But I bet the salmon is todiefor.”
Our gaze holds. Message received. A smile splits her lips, and her arm wraps more tightly around my shoulders as she addresses the table. “Her love is so abundant. Gripping, even.”
Lynn beams a wide-eyed expression. “If you like lamb, the lollipops are an amazing option.”
“You know what? I think I will.” Caroline peers over at Lynn, ignoring me altogether, and in seconds, I see where my luck is headed. “I’ve never had lamb before. After all, this is what breaking bread is all about.”
“Exactly.” Lynn motions her hands into the air; meanwhile, my eye twitches. The waitress returns to take our orders. “There’s justsomethingabout that sauce…” Lynn appears in deep contemplation, now gripping the menu an inch from her face.
I order the salmon and wait, watching Lynn battle herself as if choosing an appetizer is the last decision she’ll make on this planet.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Lynn announces after what seems like forever. Her smile directs at the woman patiently waiting, pen and notepad in hand. “I’ll have the salmon too.”
Relieved, I expel the breath I’m holding. After the waitress scribbles on the notepad and collects the menus, a victorious grin forms across my lips. It widens at Mae, who simply remains facing forward, appearing unfazed.
Caroline's next question wipes the grin from my face. Of course it’s about the yaki noodles. Luckily, she sticks to her original order.
“Wait,” Lynn shouts just as the waitress turns. “I might as well get my usual, then. That way Caroline can try some of mine. That’s two new experiences for the price of one. I’ll order the salmon next time.”
I feel the weight of Mae’s grin in my direction. She finds my ear. “If you want to partner with us, a piece of advice, dear.” She elegantly folds her hands together. “I’m always right. And pandering will get you nowhere.”
All I can do is return her smile. Damn it. I don’t know which is worse, being stuck with Caroline or the reality that my biggest client to date seems to loathe me andlovemy pretend wife. Fifteen minutes later, the smell of red meat tickles my nose when Caroline’s appetizer gets placed in front of her. I fight my grimace, watching her slice her food.
“Honey, this lamb is incredible.” Caroline holds up her fork with a piece of meat, a careful hand underneath. “Try it.”
The gesture is sweet enough. Or would be, if she were literally anyone else. Or if I ate red meat. “Thank you, but I have plenty of food,” I respond as my untouched plate of fish swimming in a pool of overwhelming red curry sauce mocks me.
“Just a bite.” Caroline beckons until her brows scrunches in confusion and she lowers her voice. “I’m trying to be romantic here.”
I force a chuckle and bask in a spotlight I’d normally enjoy. Caroline clearly hasn’t read the itinerary.
“I don’t deserve you,” I mutter, jaw tightening at the dangling lamb hovering inches from my face. The entire table is waiting for my gullet to open.
To my relief, whooshing sounds from a large fire and cheering at the neighboring table yank Lynn and Mae’s attention away, granting me an opening to slap the fork to the floor. When Caroline dips below the table, I follow.
“I'm pescatarian,” I whisper angrily.
Caroline whispers, “Whoops.”
My eyes grow into slits. “It was on the itinerary.”
Caroline is exasperating. I fix my face, and we emerge with wide smiles, facing our lunch companions like a happy couple.
Several minutes pass, and everyone’s busy eating, except me. I chalk up the meal as the price of business and stomach a few bites before Lynn or Mae can make a comment.
Caroline breaks the silence to ask the Blakemans a question. “What was your reasoning for changing from selling solar panels to owning resorts?”
“One, we truly believe there needs to be more safe spaces exclusively for queer folks—especially to feel safe and brave to be ourselves,” Lynn says. “Two, once you're as involved in energy consumption as we are, saving the environment becomes a part of every decision. So we decided to start a business that incorporates the two. It’s not the cheapest business model, but we do it for the cause.”
“We appreciate that the owners respect the land we’re on. Every business on the island is required to pay fees that go directly to the Thai community. Given I have family near here, it’s appreciated because most private owners take advantage,” Mae says, reaching for Lynn’s hand. “It’s critical for us to have partnerships with people who align with our vision. Helping Sapphire Isle’s community is a necessity. Living on a beach isn’t so bad, either.”
My heart warms. Their emphasis on community and green practices are two of the many attractive factors for me working with them, and, of course, a queer couple dominating the industry is always glorious. I raise my glass to the center for a toast. “I know I should speak on behalf of Elixir Wines, but…” I hesitate. They’re all staring at me and my raised glass. I clear my throat. “If I can just speak for myself for a second, I want you to know that I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with you,” I say, a little awkwardly. “We try to only partner with people who share our values, too, but...well, I don't always get to work with people who are not only successful, but also compassionate and brilliant.” I have no idea if this is coming out right. No one in my family gets this sappy, but I want the Blakemans to know what’s in my heart. “Over the past day, I've gotten to see how you run things around here, and I’m impressed and honored. Watching two women in love and succeeding together in business truly is phenomenal.” I hope they know I mean every word.
Relief floods over me. It’s the first time I’ve seen Mae smile this wide.
