Page 104 of Tobias

“Once,” he answers. “I remember liking it.”

We order a bottle of wine and look over our menus. The place is sparkling, but it’s dim enough to have a romantic feel. It’s authentic Italian, and the kind of place you bring your partner to for a special night out.

“What are you getting?” Theo asks.

“Pollo al Mattone. And let me guess… You’re gettingCacciucco?”

He smiles at me cockily. “Actually, I was thinking of gettingFiletto di Manzo al Pepe Verde.”

“Step up from your scallop days,” I say humorously, recalling our first date when he ordered the scallops, and I couldn’t understand how a man of his size could get full on that.

“I still enjoy scallops, and other seafood.”

“Have you been to the east coast? They do seafood well.”

“Not in years.”

“Maybe we should go some day,” I comment.

His eyes soften and his smile stays. “That sounds nice. Then we can go to Egypt before boarding a rocket ship to Pluto.”

“If there was a rocket ship to Pluto, I’d be on it.”

“I’d miss you.”

“Well, you’d be with me, so you wouldn’t have to. I’m only going because of you in the first place.”

He laughs, his eyes crinkling in the corners, and it’s absolutely adorable. But it’s the look of adoration on his face that has my chest warming.

The waiter comes to take our meal orders and pours us each a glass of wine, leaving the bottle in a chill bucket on the table. Our food comes a short time later, and though we enjoy our food, we share with each other because it’s all delicious.

“Thank you for taking me here,” he comments.

“You took me here,” I say with a smirk.

He rolls his eyes. “It was your idea.”

I shrug. “Sometimes I have good ideas.”

“Good God, and here I thoughttwopeople were tasteless enough to own that suit.”

My spine stiffens at the voice those words belong to. Across from me, Theo is frowning at the man standing beside me. Gritting my teeth, I look up at Brandon. Of all places on this planet for him to be right this very moment, he has to be here?

“Is there something I can help you with?” I ask politely, but give him a look with my eyes that says I will not hesitate to stab him with the nearest utensil.

“Not at all. I was just concerned, considering I saw you in this a few days ago. I couldn’t possibly understand why you would wear it again so soon,if at all.”

I take a slow breath, letting it out before saying, “Thanks for your concern, but I’m fine. So, you can leave.” I force a smile and he smiles back, but he turns his attention to Theo instead of leaving.

“Brandon Arnoult.” He holds his hand out, and Theo shakes it hesitantly. “I’m assuming you must be anactualdate, considering Tobias told me he wasn’t working tonight.”

Theo raises a brow, looking from me and then back to Brandon. I’m sure he has put together who this is. How many assholes do I know named Brandon? Only one. I don’t see anger on Theo’s face, but there’s something there…

“Theodore Beaumont,” he responds with practiced ease.

Brandon’s eyes widen with excitement. “A Beaumont? How intriguing. Are you two a thing?” He gestures between us, that snake-like grin still firmly in place.

“Brandon, just leave,” I say, exasperated.

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