"I'd love to. Let me look at my calendar and I'll call to set something up."
Jenna could barely contain her excitement.
"You're very kind."
She said goodnight and returned to her table.
Juliet picked up her spoon.
"You meant that," I said.
"Of course I meant it." She took a small bite of her tiramisu. "I'll set up a date and guess what." I shrugged, and she pointed her spoon at me. "You're coming too."
"They won't want to see me."
"A handsome billionaire carrying bags loaded with toys." Juliet grinned. "They'll be delighted to see you."
I laughed, only too happy to be roped into Juliet's scheme.
As I ate my Sicilian lemon cake, Juliet chatted to Donna about recipes and travel. I sat back and listened. For me, it was enough to see Juliet enjoying herself. I didn't feel the need to join in. It seemed Andrew was the same. He'd barely uttered a word all evening.
When the check arrived, I handed over my credit card. We said goodbye to our dining companions and headed for the door. We were almost at the exit when a woman sitting with a teenage girl stopped us.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but my daughter is a huge fan. Would it be possible to get a picture with you?"
Juliet nodded, but the girl was staring at the tablecloth, apparently rigid with shock that her mother had dared to ask. Juliet crouched next to the table, so she was level with the girl.
"I'm Juliet. What's your name?"
The girl looked up, and it was then I saw a vivid scar running down the left side of her face. It took everything I had in me not to react, but Juliet didn't even flinch.
"Maya."
"Maya," Juliet repeated. "Such a pretty name. Are you from Healdsburg?"
Maya nodded.
"I've not been in the valley for long. What should I know about it that nobody tells you?"
Maya blinked. Haltingly at first and then with more confidence, she began to tell Juliet about a bakery just off the main street that only locals knew about because it had no signage, and the owner didn't advertise. Apparently their Danish pastries were to die for.
"I'm going to find that bakery," Juliet said. "Thank you, Maya."
The girl's mother smiled gratefully. Seeing Juliet like this made me even happier she'd come into my life. Suddenly I couldn't wait to have her to myself.
"So how about that photo?" I decided to hurry things along.
Juliet got to her feet. She leaned in close to Maya, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while her mother snapped a couple of pictures. Then she glanced up at me.
"Can you take a couple for me, please, Nate? I'd love to put them on my Instagram." She turned to Maya, who appeared thunderstruck. "If that's okay with Maya?"
The girl nodded, so I took out my phone and took five photos, just to be sure I captured something Juliet could use.
"It was nice to meet you," Juliet said as we walked away. "I can't wait to try that bakery."
When we got outside, the air was chilly. Collins, our driver for the night, had the car waiting at the curb. Two of Scott's men who'd discreetly positioned themselves outside made their way back to their own vehicle. Juliet got up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"Thank you for a lovely night."
