“Fair enough.” He picks up the paper bag from the table and holds it out to me with a smile. “I brought you something. I know it’s probably strange to bring a restaurant owner food, and it’s nothing compared to what you make, but it’s different at least: an Irish reuben from that deli we were talking about.”
I’m about to say thank you and decline politely when I hear a gasp from across the room.
“Is that from Flanagan’s?” Siena asks. She stares at the bag with an expression I’ve only ever seen her direct at Matti and myosso buco.
“It is,” Gavin says, looking mildly startled by the intensity.
“Giovanna.” Siena says her name like she’s calling in reinforcements.
Giovanna turns from the window. Her eyes drop to the bag. “No.”
“Yes.”
“I just ate,” I tell him, laughing. “You should have it, honestly. Or—”
“I’ll give it to your friends.” Gavin’s eyes sparkle as he adds, “If you agree to go out with me.”
I open my mouth.
“Do it!” Siena says. She hasn’t blinked. “Sophie. I need that sandwich in my face. Right now. Immediately.”
“Seconded,” Giovanna says. “I will never ask you for anything ever again.”
“That is absolutely not true,” I tell her.
“No, it’s not,” she agrees. “But I’m asking you now. Please.”
I turn back to Gavin who is watching me with a smile, his eyebrows raised, waiting for the verdict. He is straight forward, simple, blissfully uncomplicated. Vin’s face immediately flashesthrough my hand. Dang it. I have to get that man out of my freaking head!
I breathe deeply. I guess one date wouldn’t hurt…
“Fine,” I say. “Yes. Let’s do it. But not until after the restaurant opening.”
Siena makes a sound that is practically animalistic as Gavin hands her the bag with a grin. “Agreed,” he says. “But am I permitted to attend the restaurant opening?”
Siena already has the sandwich out of the bag, handing half to Giovanna.
I laugh. “Open to the public. I can’t really stop you.”
I’m glad the girls are busy shoving the sandwich in their faces, because the smile slips from Gavin’s face as he places his hand over mine, his gaze intense. “You couldn’t keep me away.”
He doesn’t say another word as he leaves, and it takes me a second to compose myself. Not because I’m smitten but because he almost hit the same level of intensity that Vin gives me when he’s about to—
“He’s nice,” Giovanna says around a mouthful of pastrami.
“He is.” I busy myself tidying the linen contract he left for me.
“So what’s the problem?” Siena tears off a piece of rye bread and passes it to Giovanna, who takes it without looking and shoves it and a piece of wayward pastrami into her mouth. “He’shandsome. He’s successful. He’s clearly interested. He brought you food, Sophie.”
“He broughtusfood,” Giovanna points out.
Olivia chimes in. “He broughtherfood and then negotiated it into a date. That’s almost romantic.”
I’m folding napkins. I focus on getting the corners exactly even. “What do you want from me? I said yes.”
“You said yes like you were agreeing to a dental appointment,” Siena says with her mouth full.
“Siena.”
