“Isn’t it perfect?” she gushed. “I just adore these grounds, and if the weather is kind, we can arrange for a garden party on the terrace upon arrival—sort of like a grander version of afternoon tea. I’m thinking perhaps macarons and champagne? Remind me to suggest this to the caterers this afternoon, won’t you?” She smiled at Daisy. “Does that sound good to you?”
She looked dubious. “I think most people would still be hungry. Maybe dinner might be best,” she suggested, her tone perfectly serious, and Ethan had to smile.
Out of the mouths of babes…
“Well, of course, we’re going to have that too, silly!” Vanessa joked, and Ethan noticed that Daisy seemed hurt by the dismissal. His fiancée looked at her watch. “In fact, since it’s almost midday, we really should be heading back to the city soon. I hope everyone’s hungry. I’ve made us a lunch reservation at the caterer’s. They have a restaurant.” She winked at Ethan. “I think you might be familiar with it.”
“How so?” he replied, genuinely baffled by this.
“Gillini. I thought it would be fitting, considering?” his fiancée said, smiling. “And I for one can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about.”
Chapter 51
“Hello, welcome.” Terri greeted them warmly, and much to his relief, Ethan noticed that she seemed to be going out of her way not to make eye contact with him while she fussed over Vanessa.
Inwardly, he relaxed a little, guessing that today’s visit wasn’t news—to her at least. When his fiancée had dropped her bombshell about coming here for lunch, he’d almost had a heart attack and tried to put her off by feigning a headache and insisting he wasn’t hungry.
But since it was supposed to be wedding-related, he couldn’t be too insistent either. Plus there really was no dissuading Vanessa about anything once she set her mind to it. Still, the very prospect of returning to Gillini of all places—to say nothing of using them as wedding caterer—filled him with doom.
“And you must be Daisy. Hi.” Terri gave her a little wave before finally looking at Ethan. “Mr. Greene, so nice to see you again. So pleased our proposal surprise worked out well for you guys.” With that, she gave a surreptitious wink, and his blood pressure subsided.
Perhaps it was going to be okay after all. Terri clearly had it all under control.Thank goodness.
“Thank you, yes indeed. Nice to be back.”
“Well, I have a lovely table set up for you all here,” Terri sang, leading them toward the rear of the restaurant. As she continued her merry chatter to Vanessa about the tasting menu and catering samples, he kept a cautious eye out for Rachel.
“I must apologize, we’re pretty short-staffed today,” Terri mentioned then as if reading his mind. “My colleague Rachel is off today, so forgive me in advance if things are a little slow.”
“I see.” Vanessa looked slightly miffed, but Ethan immediately deduced that the information was for his benefit, so as to put his mind fully at ease, and he had to thank Terri yet again for saving his bacon.
“But in any case,” she continued, smiling winningly, “I’m sure you’d all much rather eat in peace, and perhaps when you’ve finished sampling the menu, we can discuss all in more detail?”
“That would be wonderful, thank you,” he replied.
“Great. First, let me grab you some drinks, and then I’ll have our chef bring out the first platter.”
“Um…do you need any help?” Ethan asked, and Vanessa shot him a look.
“Thank you for offering, Ethan, but really, I have it all under control,” Terri said, and once again, he caught the subtext.
“That’s great to know. I—I mean we,” he corrected, forgetting himself, “appreciate that. Don’t we, Vanessa?”
His fiancée looked at him as if he were stone mad. “Well, I’d certainly appreciate a drink if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“Of course.” Terri leaped into action. “I’ll be right back.”
“Is it just me or does she seem a bit…odd?” his fiancée said, wrinkling her nose.
“I think she’s nice,” Daisy piped up. “I really like her eyes.”
“Hmm, she seems a bit too overfamiliar for my liking.” Vanessa turned to look at Ethan. “Did you notice she called you by your first name just now? A bit much, I thought.”
“Wasn’t the personal touch the very reason you’re considering them as wedding caterer?”
“Perhaps, but decorum is important too.” Vanessa picked up the sample menu. “Still, I must admit the food really does sound delicious.” She sat forward and glanced around. “Shame about the surroundings. It’s a little bit…twee, isn’t it?”
“I actually rather like it as it happens,” Ethan said testily. “It’s warm and cozy, and more importantly, it doesn’t feel like you’re eating in a science lab.” A thinly disguised barb at Vanessa’s preference for minimalist London hotspots, which to him felt rather sterile.
