Page 84 of A Fool's Game

“Hey, Dom,” Ainsley sits forward and grins as Dom claps him on the back.

“Welcome back to the island, kid. It’s been too long.”

“Yeah, well. College and whatnot.”

He and Dominic share a familiar look before the chef turns his sights back on the table. “How’s dinner?”

“It’s incredible,” Ainsley says.

Dom stands tall, folding his arms. I get a glimpse of the stern leader I’m sure he is behind those kitchen walls. “I want to hear from the chef at the table.”

All eyes fall on me.

“Oh.” I set down my wine glass and clear my throat. I’m surprised this guy knows anything about me, but I try my best to hide it. “It’s an honor to be sitting here at all. I feel like I’m in church or something.”

My lame attempt at a joke gets the appropriate amount of polite laughter.

Dom’s silent, arms crossed, eyebrows lifted slightly as if I’m keeping him waiting.

“The wine pairings are masterful. I thought food and wine were made for each other before, but it turns out I knew nothing. The way you sent out the scallop and then the seaweed salad had me confused at first, but when I tasted the miso, I just knew.”

“You knew what?” he demands, not hiding his authoritarian nature one bit.

Fine by me. “I knew why you didn’t plate them together. They seemed like such natural companions, but the miso with the tobiko and the seaweed was a fully formed dish all on its own. When you tasted it with the orange wine, of course. And sending the scallop as a simple crudo…” Words escape me as my eyes drop closed and I remember the rich, unassuming flavor of the shellfish on my tongue. “People generally use a scallop as a flavor delivery system. It’s what I expected with the miso. But that scallop stood all on its own.”

Dom nods as if I’m telling him everything he wants to hear. “Just wait till you get to the mains. The lamb we’re raising on this island are finished on herbs and olives.” He shakes his head as a smile spreads across his face and his eyes go a bit misty. “Perfection. I’m happy to have someone in the dining room that can appreciate it for once.”

Dom means it as a compliment, but I feel the dig hit Ainsley. He stiffens next to me.

And, as seems to be a pattern since we set foot on this island, I find myself becoming defensive of the guy. “We’re all food lovers here,” I say, shifting toward Ainsley just slightly.

“I just mean you work in the industry,” Dom replies.

“Ainsley works in the same kitchen I do,” I toss back, unwilling to let it go.

“Ainsley does not work in the kitchen,” Ben cuts in from across the table, letting some of his perfect composure slip as he practically spits the words at me. “He’s a temporary volunteer.”

I try to hide my snort by taking a sip of wine, but Ben’s laser focus misses nothing. I set my wine down and return his glare. “If by volunteer you mean delinquent working off his court ordered community service, then yeah.”

Ben’s jaw clenches slightly, but he says nothing.

Dominic, however, lets out a bellow of laughter that draws attention from all over the dining room. “I thought I liked you before, but you’re my new favorite dinner guest.”

His gaze shifts to Gemma. “This is your boyfriend?” he asks, gesturing to me with his head.

I don’t have time to turn to look at her before she answers. “Yes. But?—”

“But he’s my boyfriend, too.”

I watch Ainsley speak the words, chin held high, eyes wild and defiant.

It wasn’t necessary. We’ve never had a conversation where we declared each other boyfriend and boyfriend. He made nomention of announcing it to his father and the world.But, as I’ve done over and over today, I stand firmly beside him, ready to jump in and defend him if needed.

No one says anything. After a long moment, I glance over at Ben, once again impressed by the guy’s ability to hold a poker face.

“I think they need me in the kitchen, actually,” Dom says, wiping his hands on his apron and backing away from the table.

No one looks away from the tense moment as he escapes.

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