Page 31 of The Cask

“Why did it end?”

I picked up my wine glass and made a face. “Like you said earlier, who knows? The long hours, the late nights? The life of a business owner is nonstop and not everyone can handle it.”

“The right ones can.”

I hated when his words seemed to penetrate.

“So, when did you move to Richmond?” I attempted to shift the conversation away from me.

“Oh no,” he laughed. “You came out the gate asking me tough questions and applying pressure. It’s only right that I return the favor.”

My lips trembled with amusement, but I held it in. “Fine,” I sighed dramatically. I stabbed my salad. “What’s your question?”

“How did it end?”

I scoffed. “Actually, he gave me an ultimatum—take a step back from The Cask and marry him or continue working as hard as I work and lose him.” I lifted my glass. “And my business has flourished ever since.”

He clinked his glass against mine. “His loss is my gain.”

“I’ll cheers to that.”

“And here’s your food,” our waiter returned with our pasta dishes. Our water was replenished, the freshly grated cheese was sprinkled about and then we were alone again.

“This looks really good,” Omari pointed out, moving his fork around his noodles. His eyes met mine. “But will it taste as good as it looks?”

My stomach flipped.

I knew he was talking about the spaghetti carbonara. I knew he was. But the way he was looking at me had me reliving that kiss.

Shaking off the flashback, I cleared my throat. “What do you think?” I asked as he chewed.

He didn’t even formulate a sentence. He pointed at his plate as he nodded enthusiastically.

I grinned, nodding along with him. “Right?”

“This is it.”

“I know!” I took my first bite and closed my eyes as the flavor danced in my mouth. “This is probably more calories than you should have in a day, but I don’t care.”

“I can see why this is your favorite.”

When I looked across the table, Omari was staring at me. His tongue ran from one corner of his mouth to the other and I could see he was holding something back.

“What?” I asked.

“If I wasn’t here with you tonight, I would be at the bar or at home. I’m glad you said yes.”

“I’m glad you asked.”

And I really was.

We ate, we talked, we laughed. Omari and I had so much in common that the evening just flowed. We were having such a good time that I forgot my mission to seduce him and collect information. I just enjoyed my night off and my time with him.

“You’re not going to finish that?” he asked, pointing to the remaining half of my pasta.

“No, I’m going to eat this for lunch tomorrow.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’m saving room for tiramisu.”

“That sounds good.” He looked around and then signaled the waiter to place our dessert order. He pulled his phone from his pocket.

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