Page 28 of Tricking an Introvert

Tessa

Something bothered her, though Tessa couldn’t put her finger on it until halfway through the second exquisite course. She was too distracted by the explosion of senses happening in her mouth to pay attention to much else, at first, when finally, it hit her.

“What are we doing here?” she questioned. “I thought you were a steakhouse guy.”

Michael had professed that Cole had visited every steakhouse in town, and that he didn’t eat much else. Le Bernardin was decidedly not a steakhouse; the very opposite.

The elegant establishment set in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen was known for its seafood.

Cole shrugged. “I thought I’d expand my horizons after the crab. So far, I can’t say I’m disappointed.”

They’d both cleared up every single thing on their starter, garnish included, and he was well on his way to devouring the entree.

“I’ll ask again after we get the bill.”

They’d opted for the tasting menu with wine pairing. She doubted that came cheap.

“I have to admit, it’s delicious, but I may still be hungry by the end of it.” He looked at his small plate dejectedly.

“If we’re still hungry after the seventh course, I have the best pizza place on speed dial.”

Cole laughed. “Deal.”

Glancing beyond their table, Tessa was suddenly aware of the romantic surroundings. Everywhere around them, there were couples, leaning in to whisper in each other’s ears, touching each other. She shifted on her seat uncomfortably. And maybe a little jealously.

“Michael told me he booked a sketch session with you?”

She was grateful for the distraction. “Yes, tomorrow! Are you still tagging along? I have to make enough cupcakes if you’re coming.”

“Tomorrow…” He took a moment to think. “What time? I have to attend a thing for my mother’s charities.”

Something changed in the air; the tone of his voice had grown considerably colder, and his eyes flashed with something she didn’t quite recognize. Tessa tilted her head, suddenly intrigued. He hadn’t spoken about his family, much. “Your mother has charities?”

Cole sighed, putting his fork down, the lines of his expression hardening.

Damn, why did she always have to push? He clearly wasn’t keen on broaching the subject.

“Yes. Marie Elizabeth is quite the socialite. She’s from a well-to-do family established in the Hamptons since the Hamptons were the place where idle people established themselves.”

“So, forever ago?”

He grinned. “Yes, about that. And my father was the CEO of the company her family had started. They’re divorced now, but they’re both equally fond of appearances and decorum. My mother gave birth to my brother almost a decade before me, when she was married to a Montgomery. My dad had twins from his previous marriage, too. I was the surprise baby, arriving when Marie Elizabeth was well into her forties and my father, fifty-five. They were over being parents by then. And they had enough money to buy the best nannies to do the job in their place.”

Tessa grimaced. “That sounds…cold.”

“There are worse things,” Cole replied almost indifferently. “I was never their idea of the perfect child—overweight and not fond of varsity sports. So, they ignored me, which gave me the kind of freedom most kids can only dream about. Michael’s parents kicked him out when he was sixteen. I let him stay with mine for two years. I don’t think my parents even noticed.”

“Jesus!” Tessa exclaimed. “And you’re going to events for them now?”

Cole sighed. “Well, I lost weight, got a successful career, and my brother is a terrible disappointment to them now; he refused to get hitched to some girl Mother picked out for him.”

“The horror!” Tessa couldn’t roll her eyes any harder.

“Quite. James is decidedly over Marie Elizabeth’s shit, which has redirected her attention to me. So my parents have been trying to reconnect for a decade or so. When I try to avoid them, Marie Elizabeth is overly dramatic. We could be dead next year, do this little thing for me, please, Cole.” His imitation of his mother’s distinguished accent was hilarious. “It’s just easier to turn up occasionally.”

She nodded, getting it. She had a great relationship with her family, but she still understood the guilt trip. The times she missed his games, Lewis could give Marie Elizabeth a run for her money when it came to being dramatic.

“Well, we’re starting in the morning, around ten, and I think we should be done by three or four in the afternoon?”

---