“Shall we?” he asked as he gestured toward the door.
I gathered myself together enough to walk past him and out into the hallway. He led me to the elevators and I curiously watched him press the button for a higher level. Soon the doors opened to a rooftop with scattered tables adorned with candles. The flicker of flames got lost among the city lights beyond. Ivy grew along the terrace wall. It was the most beautiful restaurant I had ever been to.
As soon as we were seated, Jeremiah asked the waiter about the wine list and which was the most expensive bottle on the menu. He looked at me as if he was asking if it was okay. I gave hima reassuring nod. Just because I didn’t want to drink, didn’t mean he couldn’t. He ordered a bottle of vintage cabernet and I ordered a ginger ale.
The night air grew cool as we enjoyed our meal of steaks and sides of mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus and warm herb buttered rolls I wanted to curl up and take a nap in. Everything tasted heavenly. We talked about New York and what we loved about it. How we lived was completely different, which was made even more apparent from today, but somehow we were more alike than I thought.
I didn’t know if it was the full bottle of wine that was almost empty now, but Jeremiah, who was usually stoic and arrogant, was showing me a new side of himself. As I took a bite of steak, I watched him talk animatedly in the candlelight. His eyes danced and he actually laughed. A real, genuine laugh. It was like a song. I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he wasn’t as much of a bosshole as I had thought.
Chapter 20
Jeremiah
Itook another long sip of wine. Damn. The waiter had been right in suggesting the vintage cabernet because the slight sweetness ran down my throat with ease. Maybe too easily. I looked to see the bottle was mostly empty. I felt sheepish for a moment, knowing I was definitely drunk and Sadie was sober across from me, but the small smile on her lips reassured me that it was okay.
I didn’t even know what I had been yammering on about for the past few minutes, but the way she looked at me made me felt heard. Her green eyes were flecked with gold against the candlelight from the table, making it seem as if they were dancing. I found myself entranced by them and the way her long lashes slowly fell open and closed. I didn’t think I had seen anything so beautiful.
“Should we order dessert?” I asked.
I didn’t wait for her to answer before signaling for the waiter. Sadie just giggled and shook her head at me before taking a sip of her ginger ale.
“Is there something I can get you, Mr. Mason?” asked the waiter, by my side in moments.
“What dessert would you recommend?” I asked.
“I’m torn between the crème brûlée and the flourless chocolate cake. Both are different, but so decadent,” he said confidently.
“Then we will have both.”
He flashed a smile that I had taken his recommendation and also added a new sum to the already hefty bill, which meant a bigger tip. I always tipped generously though, and he had been an attentive server.
“You trying to fatten me up?” asked Sadie, raising an eyebrow. “Between this morning’s brunch and tonight’s dinner, you might have to roll me into the elevator.”
I laughed out loud.
“I like that you eat.” I shrugged. “Most women I take on dates hardly touch their food.”
“Well, good thing this isn’t a date then.”
I looked up at her in surprise. Her words cut a little deeper than they should. She was right. This wasn’t a date. This was business. Business at a very romantic rooftop restaurant with a woman I had already been intimate with and couldn’t stop thinking about.
Sadie gave me a smirk and I realized she was just being her snarky self, a side I had grown to really enjoy. Whatever this was, it seemed we were both enjoying this evening.
The waiter brought out our dessert on a silver tray, each displayed intricately on ornate, white dishes. The crème brûlée was the perfect caramel color and topped with fresh whipped cream and raspberries. The flourless chocolate cake was a tower of rich brown topped with sprinkled sugar and a drizzle of raspberry puree.
“These look too pretty to eat,” said Sadie. “Thank you.”
“Enjoy,” said the waiter before excusing himself.
I studied her for a moment as she looked between the two desserts, as if debating which to try first. I loved how excited she was about every little thing, and how she thanked every person she had come across today, from the flight attendants to the hotel staff. It was a kind of genuine warmth I didn’t see much.
“I’m going for the crème brûlée,” she said, digging her spoon in and taking a bite.
I watched as her eyes rolled back in her head and remembered when I had made them do that in my office. I would pretty much do anything to get that chance again.
“Youhaveto try this.” Her mouth was full as she pointed at the dessert.
I picked up my spoon and dug in. She was right. It was perfectly sweet with just the right amount of salt from the burnt caramel to balance it out.
