“Chef Pierre,” she said with a bob of her head to acknowledge him.
“I heard you two have become engaged,” he continued.“My deepest congratulations.”
“Thank you,” James replied.His eyes narrowed looking from her to the chef and back.
“Are you enjoying your meal?”
“Yes.”
Chef Pierre was obviously dense if he couldn’t read the tension in the room.He just prattled on.
“I’m honored you chose my restaurant to celebrate your wonderful union.”He frowned.“Except I must apologize, Miss Dane, for the missing ingredient that would’ve made this dish sing.”
He kissed his fingertips and gave a smacking sound.Kleya didn’t really care about hismagnifiquemissing ingredient, but she was curious.
“What would that be?”
“Beluga caviar.”
Suddenly, she lost her appetite.She glanced at James, and he stared back at her.Something snapped into place between them.A gossamer thread of understanding.James frowned as he stared at the cook.
Kleya wiped her mouth and laid her napkin on the table.“Beluga caviar is banned from being imported to the US.”
“Of course,” he said immediately.“I wouldneverdo something illegal.Not without proper clearance.Red tape can be ridiculous, don’t you think?Unless someone can help make that tape disappear.”An awkward silence fell.“I do apologize for giving you an inferior dinner.”
“I never liked caviar.”James laid his napkin on the table.“I believe I’m quite full.Thank you, Chef, for the outstanding meal, even without your missing ingredient.”
“Of course.Would you like dessert, Miss Dane?”
“Ah, no, thank you.”
“Then I’ll send over your server at once.Again, thank you both for celebrating your engagement in my restaurant.”
Once he retreated, Kleya leaned forward.“Was he hinting you might be able to get his special clearance?”
“Certainly sounded that way to me.Why did you have that look on your face?”
“What look?”
“The I-just-smelled-something-rotten face.”
“I don’t like him,” she said with a shrug.“He’s never done anything to me, it’s just I wouldn’t want to be in a dark alley with him.All women are born with the instinct to spot a predator in sheep’s clothing.”
Just then the server came with a tablet.James pulled his wallet out and tapped a black card on it without looking at the bill.When everything had been settled, he pulled out her chair and helped her to stand.He did not release her hand as they made their way out of the restaurant, and she tried to ignore the hope it gave her that he might be a little romantic.He’d been very clear on what this union would be.Pushing down the emotion, she went to open her rideshare app, but he stopped her.
A sleek, black McLaren rolled up and he handed the valet a folded hundred-dollar bill.
She looked at him.“What is this?”
“I had my assistant deliver one of my other cars.”He opened the door for her.“I thought I’d show you my high rise, to see if it might be a place you’d like to live.”
“Don’t you have to live at Veilstone Tower?”
“Not yet.I’d probably have to reside there most of the time, but I would make sure to come home to you on the weekends.If business allows, that is.”
“You would do that for me?”
“Of course.You’ll be my wife.I want you to be comfortable.”
