Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Good evening,” I say cordially to the well-dressed man and woman who look about twenty years older than me. “I’m Sammy, the general manager here at La Croisette, and I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself and make sure everything is going well with your meal.”
The gentleman smiles up at me after placing his soup spoon back on the plate beneath his lobster bisque. “Everything is splendid.”
“Very delicious bisque,” the woman adds. “Compliments to the chef.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. It’s one of Chef Vinny’s specialties,” I respond with my most professional smile. “He’ll be thrilled to hear your praise.”
They eat up my ego-fluffing, and I lean forward to whisper conspiratorially. “And if you don’t mind, after you finish your dinner, I’m going to have your server bring over a dessert that’s not technically on the menu but will undoubtedly finish your meal off perfectly. The only stipulation is that you have to let me surprise you.”
The woman beams and rubs two hands together. “Oh, this sounds like fun.”
“Just tell me one thing…do you like chocolate?”
She nods with wide, excited eyes. And her dinner mate chuckles. “My wife doesn’t just like chocolate, she loves it.”
“Good.” I grin. “Consider your dessert on the house.”
Both of them beam, and I don’t waste any more time interrupting their meal. “Enjoy your dinner.”
But as I walk away from their table, my eyes drift in a very predictable direction again.
Noah is still alone, sipping on amber liquor of some sort. From previous occasions I’ve shared with him at my sister’s behest, I’d imagine it’s bourbon.
He hasn’t asked you out because you’re too closed off. My sister’s words at lunch on Monday echo inside my mind. Noah cares about you.
Is Brooke right? Is the only reason he hasn’t asked me out because I’m not showing signs of being open to it?
Now is your chance to find out, my mind whispers. Just go over there and talk to him.
My feet are heading in his direction before my brain even agrees to it. When I make it to his table, his concentration on the condensation on his drink is intense enough to give me time for one last deep breath.
In and out, I try to filter everything but confidence out of my lungs.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
Noah looks up with an instantaneous smile. It’s like he doesn’t even have to see me. He knows the sound of my voice. “Sammy!”
“I didn’t realize you were one of our reservations tonight,” I respond with an equally big smile. “Please tell me you didn’t do all this work to make sure I follow through on the white-wine-soaked-mussels offer. I would have hand-delivered those to your apartment. I probably should have already,” I admit sheepishly.
“I’ve actually had this reservation for a while. I was hoping I’d see you tonight, though. But I wasn’t sure if you were going to be too busy to say hello.”
Flutters of affection lap at my stomach as Noah’s blue eyes hold mine captive.
“I would never not make time to say hi to you, Noah,” I confess, forcing myself to hold my position and the eye contact.
“That’s a high compliment from someone as busy as you are,” Noah remarks tenderly. “I promise to be worth the effort, okay?”
A promise to be worth the effort? If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.
I have to open myself up to the possibility of more. I have to give myself the freedom to feel love. I have to—
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” a hurried voice breaks in, stealing my concentration, my nerve, and the unbelievably comforting hold of Noah’s eyes.
The gorgeous redhead from Bailey’s is here, completing the party of two on Noah’s reservation that he’s had for a long time. My stomach turns to lead and drops to my feet as Noah jumps up, skirting past me to give her a hug.
“You’re not late, Mary. You’re right on time,” Noah says with a warm smile after pulling back from her embrace. I feel like I’m watching a wreck in slow motion—my own heart getting run over—and yet, I can’t seem to look away. “Sit down and take a load off, please.”
Mary. Her name is Mary.
She sits down in the seat across from his, and I use that time to try to rub the feeling back into my fingers. Of course his reservation was for him and a date.
Not only is Noah an incredibly handsome, charming, eligible bachelor, but he’s here, bachelor-ing it up with a gorgeous woman named Mary because that’s what fucking bachelors do!
“Oh no! It looks like I’m being waved down!” I outright lie, pushing out my words in a rush, in a voice that’s too loud for our proximity. “It was great seeing you, Noah!”
Noah’s brow furrows. “Sammy—”
I quickly add, “Enjoy your dinner!” before turning on my heel and heading as far away from him and his beautiful date as my feet can take me.