Hans runs to the kitchen and quickly returns with a small takeout container with the Brassica Rex logo on it. “Here you go. The sea bass orders are on their way.”
I look at my watch. “Can we put in our dessert order now as well? I have to be somewhere else at eight.”
Hans blinks for a few seconds before continuing. “If you’re interested in dessert, here’s a menu.” He plops it down on the table and scurries away.
“I wonder if we’ve overstayed our welcome,” I say.
Harrison shrugs. “I’ll give him a good tip. It can’t be the first time he’s served an obnoxious couple.”
I smirk. “I wouldn’t say we’re obnoxious.”
“Do you know a lot of people who fuck in the restaurant’s back patio in the dead of winter?”
I raise a finger. “First of all, it’s nearly spring.”
He laughs out loud at that. A big belly laugh, one that quiets the tables around us.
I look at the menu. “The Cherries Reverie looks marvelous. It’s a cherry tart topped with salted caramel and…Brassica chips. Any idea what those are?”
“Not the slightest,” Harrison responds. “Feel like taking a chance?”
“With you?” I bounce my eyebrows. “Always.”
Hans returns and we order the Cherries Reverie. Our plates of sea bass—delicious, but nothing compared to the oysters—come out first, and we’ve barely finished them when the dessert arrives. The Brassica chips turn out to be fried Brussels sprout leaves. At first I’m tentative, but then Harrison encourages me to take a bite.
It’s wonderful. The fried leaves add a crunch without taking away from the sweet tartness of the cherries while bringing out the umami flavors of the salted caramel. It’s not long before the tart is gone and Hans has dropped off our final bill.
“I’ll take that.” Harrison grabs his wallet out of his back pocket and slides his credit card into the check presenter. “I hope you enjoyed your dinner.”
“Harrison, it was marvelous. I’ll definitely return. And the tart at the end was a literal cherry on top.”
He grins. “And we got a little exercise in as well.”
My cheeks warm. “I suppose we did.”
Hans stops by and picks up the check. “I hope you enjoyed your time here at Brassica.”
“It was lovely, thank you,” I say. “And I was just telling the gentleman here how much I enjoyed the cherry tart.”
Hans nods. “That’s one of our most popular desserts.”
“My sister loves a good cherry tart. I’ll have to recommend this place to her.”
Hans nods and leaves with the bill in tow.
Harrison turns to me. “This is one of the more exclusive eateries in Chicago. I’m sure your sister has been here a few times.”
I frown. “Well, she gets so bogged down by all the charities she supports. And all the boards of directors she sits on, plus she runs a bunch of other clubs besides Aces. With all those activities scheduled, she doesn’t have a lot of time to dine out.” I scratch my head. “In fact, come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I saw Rouge eat anything.”
19
HARRISON
My ears perk up at Bianca’s words. “Wait, what?”
Bianca giggles softly. “I mean, of course I know that she must eat, but?—”
“No, no. What you said before. Your sister… The other clubs she runs.”
