The waiter arrived with our drinks. Beckett and I clinked glasses, and I immediately took a sip. “Pimm’s will forever be my favorite cocktail. Which one’s yours?”
“Sazerac,” he said without hesitation.
“Is it because your brother makes the best?”
“Exactly.”
“How did you end up taking over the bakeries?”
Beckett shrugged. “It was all that was left. The disadvantage of being the youngest. But I don’t mind. I would’ve gladly taken over any branch. I grew up dreaming about being part of our legacy and am just happy I can contribute.”
“Your parents must be very proud of all of you.”
“They are. They’re great people. They worked a lot to establish all they did. Dad always said he wished he or Mom had siblings so they could’ve divided all the branches much earlier.”
“He was running everything by himself?”
He shook his head. “He had employees running every branch. But it’s different when family does it.”
“I can imagine. I’ve worked with family-owned businesses before, but everything about yours is different. Your drive, your relationship with the family—it’s all very endearing.”
“We like to stick together and work toward a common goal,” Beckett said as we received our food.
The second I saw my plate, I realized how hungry I was. My stomach rumbled in anticipation, and I dug in.
“This is delicious. I’ve only had coq au vin once in my life.” This one was better.
Beckett growled, and I looked up at him in confusion. “You don’t like your food?”
“Hearing you say the word ‘cock’ does things to me.”
I giggled. “You do know it means something completely different, right?”
He just shook his head. “Ever since you sent me the picture of that book page…”
“It gave you an insight into my very dirty mind?” I wiggled my eyebrows as I took another forkful of chicken.
“Exactly.”
I smirked. “Now you know. I have nothing to hide.”
“Jesus, Piper,” Beckett groaned. “You have no idea what you’re doing to me. How close I am to asking for the bill and getting the hell out of here.”
I gasped. “But we haven’t even finished our food.”
“Exactly.”
“If you’ve got sexy plans for me, you need to at least let me eat first. I’m going to need some sustenance.”
“That you are.” He grinned wolfishly, and my whole body started to simmer.
I wondered what he had in mind. Would we go back to his place or mine? I pondered this as I ate quickly.
Beckett chuckled. “You can take your time, Piper. I’m not going to starve you.”
“Better safe than sorry. Who knows what ideas you might have?”
But we ended up having a long meal. We even ordered a small platter with an assortment of desserts.
