“Is that all you have to say?” She laughs, and puts her hand on her chest. “I’ll have to import Kobe beef to impress you next time.”
I watch as Lillie pushes her meat into a pile on the side of her plate before dipping a scoop of whipped mashed potatoes with her fork. I’d be worried about her being hungry, but she had a good lunch at Ma’s and a late snack today.
I take a bite of buffalo, and it’s pretty darn good. “You know, I read they massage those Kobe cows with Sake and give them beer to make them eat. It sounds great, but some say it’s inhumane.”
“I guess you would know.” Eleanor doesn’t even look at me before taking a sip of wine.
“How would Ruby know?” Remi’s voice has an edge in it. It makes me uncomfortable, and I don’t know why I decided to share that tidbit of knowledge.
“Oh, Asians know Asian practices—”
“Ruby’s American.” The way he says it fills me with a weird mixture of pride and defensiveness.
I’m not ashamed of my heritage, at the same time, Kobe beef comes from Japanese Black cattle. Once again with feeling,I’m not Japanese.
“Oh of course she is.” Eleanor dismisses the topic with a wave of her hand as Tessa returns to the room carrying that fucking bottle of port. “Remi, look what I found today in the bookcase. It’s that Tawny Port from the Prager Winery. Remember this?”
My throat is so tight, I’m sure I won’t be able to eat another bite. I have no idea what’s about to happen, but I sneak a glance at Remi.
“I do remember.” His voice is soft, and his expression is happy with a little sadness around the eyes. “It was a special trip.”
“It was your honeymoon. I’ll never forget when you got back, how happy you both were. Sandy said we had to save this a few years. I think we should have it now before it goes past its prime.”
“After dinner.” Remi takes another bite of steak, seeming to recover. “I miss being on the West coast. Seattle has a wine region as reputable as California’s. I wouldn’t mind taking a trip back home and scoping it out.”
Eleanor’s face goes from smug to startled. “You’re not thinking of moving back there? But it’s so far away. How would I see Lillian?”
“I want chicken,” Lillie whines, and I can’t help thinkingBok bok, bitch!
I fight it, because it’ll make me laugh, and it’s definitely not the time for laughter. Eleanor dug up that old memento to take us down a difficult memory lane, and guess what? Backfire!
Still, the last thing I want is to appear frivolous or insensitive.
“I’m sure we’d figure it out.” Remi doesn’t seem upset at all. He seems really healthy.
“My tummy hurts.” Lillie starts to whine, and I say a silent prayer of thanks.
“You should not have had ice cream so close to dinner.” I don’t know who Eleanor is scolding, but I put my napkin beside my plate.
“I can take her up and give her a bath. She’s had a busy day. I’m sure she’s tired.”
“Thank you.” Remi’s eyes meet mine, and my insides warm at the emotion I see in them.
I know from my work how complex his situation is, and the last thing I would ever do is hold his feelings against him. I want to tell him to take his time. I’m here to help. Instead, I take his daughter’s hand.
Eleanor’s loud voice makes me pause. “Don’t you want to try the port?”
I’d like to try shoving it up your butt.
I do not say that. I pause and smile. “I don’t really care for fortified wine, but thank you.”
Lillie gives me a pull, and I follow her up the stairs, away from whatever scene Eleanor thought she was putting together.
If she thinks she’s going to pit me against the memory of Lillie’s mother, she’s wrong. As much as my feelings for Remi are growing, as much chemistry as we share, I’m not a monster. I don’t expect anything from him.
I’m here to do a job, and that’s my primary focus now. I’m almost through week two. Two more weeks, and I’ll have made it through the month.
20
