Page 17 of Bride By Coronation

"Oh my God, he does!" he raves.

"So, how long have you been seeing each other?"

Nerves fill his expression. He admits, "About six months."

Surprise fills me. Ramone never keeps anyone around longer than a month, so I ask, "Is this serious?"

He stares at me a moment, then nods. "I asked him to move in with me."

"Aw. That's awesome. I'm happy for you," I declare and mean it. Ramone has always been so sweet to me. Over the years, I've heard one horror story after another about why he's ended things with others, so if he's happy, so am I.

"Thanks. Enough about me, though. What about you? Are you seeing anyone?" he inquires.

I shake my head. "No. Not right now."

He scrunches his forehead. "What happened to the last one? What was his name?"

"No one memorable," I state.

Kyle appears with a tray. He sets down a trio of different caviars. Then he puts a platter full of crackers, thin breads, unsalted pitas, and sliced gouda and cheddar cheese. He picks up the bottle of Cristal and tops off our flutes.

"Looks divine," Ramone gushes.

"Agreed," I affirm.

Before excusing himself, Kyle adds, "The Oyster Rockefellers will be out shortly."

Ramone puts caviar on a buttery cracker and hands it to me.

I pop it in my mouth. "Mmm," I moan as it melts against my tongue.

Ramone eats one and nods. "Never a disappointment." He washes it down with champagne and then continues, "So, no one has caught your interest lately?"

Kirill's face appears, but I push it away. "No," I lie.

Ramone studies me.

I nervously ask, "What?"

"Fiona O'Malley, did you just fib to me?"

I put caviar on a piece of gouda and push it past my lips, shaking my head.

"Are you sure?"

I nod, chewing my food.

"Well, I don't understand how a woman like you is so fabulous and single," he states.

I laugh. "Thanks for the compliment."

Relief fills me when he asks, "So, how's the new line coming along?"

"You're going to love it! We're still working on a few pieces. And Blue might get her first design in the show, but let me show you what we have so far," I declare, pulling the binder out of the briefcase.

Excitement flares on his expression. He opens the book and points at the back of the restaurant.

I refrain from rolling my eyes.

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