River considered that and decided to go with it for now. But she wanted to look the menu up when she got home. A place that required you to pay for food up front probably wasn’t going to cost the same as the food at Goat and Girl.
“What kind of bike do you ride?” Marina asked, tapping the helmet.
“A Harley Softail. It was a gift from my parents when I graduated college. I’d been riding around on a bike that sounded like a crying lawn mower for years. Helluva upgrade.” She leaned back, liking the feeling of them being the only two people in Chicago. “Do you ride?”
Marina gave her a wry smile. “Are you being sarcastic?”
River frowned. “Of course not. Why would you think that? I know a lot of women who ride.”
“Sorry.” Marina held up her hands. “Sorry. I’m a little on edge today after some comments at the office. I’m happy to ride on the back, but I’ve never had any desire to be the driver.”
“You don’t mind someone else taking charge? That surprises me.” River laughed outright when Marina rolled her eyes.
“I’m in charge. Even when I’m not in charge, I’m the boss.” She winked and gave River what might have been the sexiest smile she’d ever seen.
“Noted.” The conversation had taken a turn for something other than, well, whatever it was they were to each other, and it was time to take down some of the heat before River burst into lusty flames and melted the plastic dome around them. “Want to tell me some office gossip?”
And just like that, the playful sensuality was smothered under Marina’s darkened energy.
“Not really. Maybe. No. It wouldn’t be professional.” Marina blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t even be here with you, really.”
“Would Cruella DeVil drag you off to a tower and lock you away?” River wiggled her eyebrows, making Marina laugh and lifting some of the dark energy. “Maybe tonight we talk as two people who met at an art gallery exhibition and are just getting to know each other.”
Marina’s eyes twinkled. “Even when we’re watching Adriana’s segment?”
“People watch the news together all the time. Under a snow dome on a rooftop in the middle of a city.” She smiled, glad to see Marina’s shoulders relax a fraction. “In the meantime, tell me about yourself. What movie do you watch when you’re sad? And what’s your go-to snack?”
Marina seemed to consider the question seriously as she sipped her wine. “Mad Max. The one with Charlize Theron. And peanut butter ice cream.”
River laughed. “Wow. That’s pretty hardcore. Why that movie? The peanut butter ice cream is a definite yes.”
“Watching a hot, strong woman defeat shitty bad people in the harshest environment possible? How is that not uplifting?” Despite her look of incredulity, there was a slight curve to her lips.
“The women in the white gowns never get dirty.” River shook her head and sighed over her iced tea like it was a true travesty. “How are we supposed to suspend disbelief?”
“Oh, because the rest of it is so credible right off the bat.” Marina laughed, and it was the first time it was a genuine, open sound without a filter. It was beautiful. “So, Romeo, what’s yours?”
“Happy Feet.” River shrugged as Marina choked on her wine.
“Dancing penguins?” She motioned to take in River in her entirety. “The handsome, motorcycle-riding, ghost-chatting butch likes a movie about dancing penguins?”
“That’s right. They sing too, you know. How can a movie like that not make you smile?”
Marina shook her head. “Okay. And the snack?”
“Salted popcorn. A huge bucket of it that gets everywhere. You find pieces of it down your shirt and in your socks when you get home. I’m like a gremlin with the stuff. I have to keep it away from Shamus, my cat, though. He tries to eat it and sounds like a train trying to cough up coal all night.”
Two waiters arrived with trays of food, forcing them to pause their conversation.
“Here’s your Dai Moriawase. It includes Spicy Tuna Maki, Godfrey Maki, Firecracker Maki, Dragon Maki, and Salmon Avocado Maki. And on this side, we have Tuna Sashimi, Salmon Nigiri, Hamachi Hand Rolls, and Tuna Hand Rolls.” The waiter gestured grandly to each bit of food like they were presenting it to royalty. Maybe sometimes they did.
River was salivating, though it was a hell of a lot of food for just the two of them.
“And here is your charcuterie, with salami, capicola, mediterranean speck, pecorino, grana padano, French brie, blue cheese spread & various breads and crackers.”
They left, and Marina started piling up her plate. “You were saying?”
River wasn’t sure where to start with the food. “Are you trying to fatten me up so you can eat me later?” She realized how it sounded as soon as it came out, and Marina’s sly smile suggested she did too.
