Page 62 of Xavier

"Um, Xavier?"

"Yup?"

"This is The Barn."

"Yup again."

"Like, one Michelin star, top 100 best restaurant in the world, Gourmet’s best new chef, Jaxon Sinclair's place, The Barn."

"You've heard of it, then. Good." He shuffles forward in his seat.

I blink at his response. "Heard of it?! I've been DYING to go here."

"Well, we're here, let's go. I'm starving too." The limo door opens and he starts to climb out.

"Er, no. Nope." I sink as far back into the leather seat as I can.

"What? Why?"

"I'm... wait, no, we are in pajamas, Xavier."

"So?"

"No." I shake my head and sink deeper into the shadows.

He laughs and takes my hand. "It's fine, come on!"

"There are dress codes in these places, Xavier."

"And you are in keeping with the code. Trust me. Come on, we'll be late." He ignores my protests and drags me out of the limo. I stumble out onto the footpath and Xavier pulls me close against him, so close I can feel his heart beat against my cheek. "Come on, I got you," he whispers and pushes me through the restaurant entrance, ignoring the groups of people glaring at us as we skip the queue.

It's dark inside, and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust. There’s a little waiting area, a hostess's podium just to the right. We're the only ones standing here, even though I can see the restaurant is full and buzzing over Xavier’s shoulder. He gives me a quick wink and lets go of me as a guy I recognize from his profile in the Times comes over to us.

"Xavier. Buddy!" The men hug and Xavier turns to me.

"This is the guest of honor, Malynda. Malynda, this is Jaxon,"

I take the hand offered to me, voice completely lost.

"She's a little bit starstruck. Apparently, you’re a big deal," Xavier says and Jaxon just grins.

"You guys ready? I have your table all set."

I pull my jacket tighter around me, hoping no one will notice the slippers in the dark as Jaxon leads us through his restaurant. I try not to drool as I watch the plates being carried past us, and colorful cocktails being concocted at the long bar, stretching the length of the dining room. He takes us through a door that leads us through a bustling kitchen and then another door and it's instantly quieter.

"Where are we going?" I whisper to Xavier as Jaxon presses on a button by what looks like a freight elevator.

"Up."

"Where up?"

"Up up."

I bite back a growl and just glare at him instead. Before I can ask another question, the elevator doors open and Xavier ushers me inside.

"Have a great night! My guys will take care of you," Jaxon says, not following us into the elevator.

"Wait... where..." I start but don't get to finish as the doors close.