“I’m fond of salmon sashimi.”
“You both like salmon best. I bet it’s really good,” I say, rubbing my belly to get it ready for our feast.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Elias asks. “Being out in public like this? You’re all wanted fugitives after all.”
“It’ll be fine, we’ll just eat and leave—no drama,” Sly says before pointing toward the next turn. I glance over my shoulder at Elias. He has his arms crossed and looks skeptical. What trouble could we possibly get into at a sushi restaurant?
Dex pulls into the lot and parks toward the back. Slyscans the area before anyone gets out, then gives a slight nod telling us it’s clear.
As I step out of the SUV, Dex is there, offering me his elbow as he escorts me to the building.
Inside the restaurant, I notice it smells faintly like soy and grilled meat. The hostess leads us to a corner table, and Sly gestures for me to sit first, with Pete sitting on my left, moving his chair close enough that our thighs brush. Dex squeezes in on my other side, with Jagger and Sly seated on either side of them as they both scan the room. Elias sits at the other side of the table, leaving an extra chair on either side of him, making him look like an outsider.
I frown, not liking that, but unsure what to do about it.
Light catches my attention, and I watch Dex tapping away on a tablet.
“Alright,” he says, “how’s this work?”
Sly answers, “Don’t order everything in one go. They charge for any wasted food.”
“Nothing I order ever goes to waste,” Dex says in amusement. I have to agree with him. I’ve seen the way these guys eat; I can’t imagine us possibly ordering too much food.
Sly holds out his hand toward Dex, who rolls his eyes but gives him the tablet. “We’ll start with a large variety but small quantities to see what everyone likes.”
Dex groans. “You’re killing the adventure, man.”
“What adventure?” Elias asks.
“The adventure of ordering a heap of food and having to finish it!” I smile up at Dex in amusement, and he leans down to kiss my temple.
I watch as Sly presses his lips together and shakes his head as he adds things to the order. “We will try a variety ofrolls, sashimi, tempura, a few cooked options, and gyoza. That’ll do to start.”
Pete leans in front of me to point. “Oh! Order some cheese wontons. Wren willlovethose!”
I smile up at him and lean against his arm; he then wraps it around my shoulders. “I will?”
“Yep, they’re my favorite, so they’ll probably be yours, too.” He grins down at me as Sly concedes and adds some to the order.
After Sly has submitted the order, Dex sits back, looking content as he rests his arm along the back of the booth, his fingers playing with my hair as if he can’t help himself. Elias’s gaze flicks toward the motion, and his jaw flexes.
“Maybe this isn’t smart,” he says quietly. “Being out in public like this.”
Pete squeezes me a little tighter to his side as he answers. “It’s just a meal, we’ll be fine. No one here will recognize us anyway.”
Elias leans back. “You hope.”
Dex fingers move to the back of my head, stroking in a soothing motion as he looks at Elias. “If you’re gonna be this cheerful all night, we’ll have to order sake.”
Jagger raises his hands and signs.“You’re not drinking in public.”
“I was kidding,” Dex says, though his grin says otherwise.
“What’s sake? I want to try!” I say, excited for something new.
“It’s alcohol, Wren,” Elias explains. “Jagger is right. It’s best to stay sober when we’re in public.” I can tell it cost him something to agree with Jagger, so I just nod in understanding as the server arrives with several plates.
My eyes widen as plate after plate is set on the table, all of it brand new to me. I’ve never made Japanese food before, so I’ve never even tried any of this stuff. I lick my lips in excitement, unable to contain my grin.
