He opened the car door for her, and she stepped inside. London was a different creature at night, sidewalks bustling with people, glittering lights gleaming off puddles from the rain that had fallen while she was in her hotel room. The sky overhead was a murky purple as the glow of the city bled into the clouds.
They drove about ten minutes through the wet, glistening streets while Ruby admired the buildings they passed. They’d obviously entered the theater district, because she saw brightly lit marquees announcing tonight’s showings. Some were classic productions with titles she recognized, others were a mystery to her. Several marquees announced stars she knew from movies and TV.
“I had no idea some of these people even acted in plays,” she commented.
“You’d be surprised how many actors like to try their hand on stage.”
The car pulled to the curb in front of a stone-fronted restaurant with large windows overlooking the street. Inside, strands of multicolored lights crisscrossed the ceiling, illuminating the tables below in a colorful glow. Vividly decorated tapestries hung from the walls. “I love it already,” she told Flynn as they stepped out of the car.
“I thought it would suit you.” He led the way inside.
Jazz music played softly as the hostess brought them to a small table along the back wall, below a huge painting of a man and a woman making out. She sat, allowing her gaze to wander around the restaurant, absorbing the ambience. Everything was funky, colorful, and eclectic, exactly her aesthetic.
“I’m impressed,” she told Flynn.
“By the restaurant?”
She fixed her gaze on his. “That you thought it would suit me.”
He leaned forward slightly, the reflection of the overhead lighting dancing in his eyes. “Was I right?”
“Yes.” She grinned at him. “If the food is half as good as the décor, it’ll be a definite win.”
“The food is excellent,” he told her.
“Have you eaten here before?” Because although this place suited Ruby, she couldn’t quite picture Flynn bringing one of his undoubtedly high-class girlfriends here.
“The truth?”
“Of course.”
He leaned back in his chair. “My sister and her wife own this restaurant.”
Ruby sat up straighter. “Oh. Then I guess you have eaten here before.”
“Too many times to count. And I wouldn’t have brought you to my sister’s restaurant if I hadn’t been so sure you’d love it. I don’t want to make tonight about meeting my family, although Pippa and Amy are sure to pop by at some point.”
“Pippa is your sister?”
He nodded. “She’s the second youngest in the family.”
“Second to you,” she said, remembering that he was the youngest of five.
“That’s right.”
Their waitress, a young, energetic-looking woman with purple streaks in her blonde hair, approached their table with a wide smile. “Oy, Flynn, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
“It was a last-minute decision,” he told her.
“I’m Marlie,” she told Ruby.
“Hi, Marlie. I’m Ruby.”
“Nice to meet you, Ruby. Any friend of Flynn’s is a friend of ours. American, hm?”
Ruby nodded. “I’m in town for a friend’s wedding.”
“Theo Langdon’s wedding?” Marlie asked, eyes widening. “The whole city’s been buzzing about it. I heard it was quite the to-do.”
