Page 72 of Unofficial

The two women got to know each other very well as they navigated through the pains of working with the most difficult group of people known to man. Jess barely pulled off a miracle getting them squared away and able to open three weeks ago. Carrie has become a good friend of hers.

"I'm not crazy. Jess is just playing a little game," Sam says. "You silly girl, you. Zach and I were headed to the bar to wait for a table, and we ran into our old friends here. It was quite a pleasant surprise."

"If you have a reservation, you don't need to sit with us," Jess says with a sweet smile.

Sam shifts uncomfortably as she looks between Carrie and Jess, and Kade barely glances at her. "Well, no, we don't technically have reservations. We were going to sit in the bar and hope for a cancelation. We're on the list, but then we were lucky enough to see these two old friends. You must've called before they opened to book a reservation."

"When we called, there wasn't a table available for six months," Zach says. "I'm not sure if you've heard of my family, but we're the Rasmussen's. With the Rasmussen Hedge Fund Corp."

Kade chokes on the water he drinks, and Jess can tell he's annoyed with the family name drop. Looking at Zach, she just smiles. "No, I called while we were on the way here."

Carrie stiffens beside Jess, and her body language surprises her. "Is your father Jack Rasmussen?"

The man smiles brightly. "Yes, yes, he is. I've taken over as President of the company. I'm Zach."

"And I'm his wife, Sam. It's really great to meet you, Carrie."

She stares at Sam's outstretched hand before shooting Jess a glance. "Jack Rasmussen took and lost all of my father's money. He lost his entire retirement with your father."

Kade coughs and decides to finally set his water down, and Jess hides her slacked jaw behind her own glass. This doesn't seem real.

Carrie signals for someone and turns her back to the married couple, focusing on Jess and Kade. "The special tonight is swordfish with a champagne glaze, sweet potato puree, and the most delicate, lightly roasted vegetables. Dessert consists of a deconstructed tiramisu."

"Oh, I'll have that," Jess says. "Kade's more of a red meat type of guy."

"I have Wagyu ribeye with roasted baby potatoes, grilled caulini, and a bordelaise sauce."

Kade looks at Jess, and she nods. "You'll love it."

"Oh, that does sound good," Sam says, still too close to Kade for Jess's comfort.

Two men in black suits walk up to the table. "Chef?" one asks.

Carrie turns to them. "Can you please escort Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen out of the building? And make sure to add them to the black list."

"Excuse me?" Sam gasps, but the two men have already started ushering them to the front door. "This is absurd. Don't you know who we are?"

Carrie turns back. "I have to get back to the kitchen, but when I get back, I need the story on those two. Promise?"

Jess looks to Kade, who nods, and she smiles. "Promise. But did your father really lose his retirement to Zach's father?"

"No, he made a fortune. But they don't need to know that. I didn't like the way he tried to shove his family at me to get special treatment. Screw him."

Jess bursts out laughing as Carrie returns to the kitchen, and Kade takes her hand. "Wagyu? That's expensive."

"I got it," she says and plays with his fingers. "Have you had it before?"

"No."

"You'll love it," she says and sighs. "Are you okay?"

His eyes look down at their hands. "That was so damn funny. Sam is not used to not getting her way, which is part of why Zach appealed to her. Their name got them a lot of things. And to see someone not give a shit about them was one of the greatest spectacles I've ever seen."

"I can't believe she had the audacity to try and sit with us. Like what happened with you never happened because it was in the past."

"You were amazing. No one calls her out like that. No one, and you did it without even flinching."

Leaning forward, she chuckles. "I don't even know where that came from. It just kind of happened."

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