Page 28 of With Us

“I can’t pick,” she said, taking the fork. “Though house-made cheese is hard to beat. Is it a difficult process?”

As they discussed cooking, I watched Dahlia. And Faust watched Dahliaandme watching her.

“Do you mind if I borrow Theo for a moment?” Faust asked her. “Business.”

I knew this was coming.

“It can wait—” I started.

“No, no, it’s fine.” Dahlia gestured to the desserts. “I’m going to get these boxed up for Luc.”

“Luc,” Faust made a spitting noise, “gets none of this. That thief is banned from my cooking for this life and the next.”

At Dahlia’s concerned expression, I shook my head. “Don’t ask. I’ll be back.”

Standing, I followed Faust to an empty area near the end of the bar. He literally climbed over it, moving surprisingly well for an over six-foot-tall man in his late thirties. Using the very expensive bar top like it was a frat house Formica tabletop, he popped the lid off a bottle of beer, draining half of it in a couple gulps.

“Any reason you pulled me away from my date?” I asked.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw or heard about you being on a date. When you said you were coming in, I’d assumed it was business. I’m glad I talked to Luc,” he said, adding the spit noise.

“I was wondering how you got the heads-up to go overboard with the wine and food. Not sure if Dahlia is impressed or horrified.”

He smiled cockily. “Definitely impressed. I’d say she’s pretty, but based on what happened with your first waiter, I’m thinking that’s not a good idea.” Before I could say anything, his smile faded, and he tilted his head toward the manager. “Henry told me what happened. The kid is gone. He’s my second cousin, and I fucking hated the cocky prick, but he knew his shit. Plus, I didn’t want my ma on my back about firing family for no reason. I had a reason, so now he’s gone.”

I didn’t bother offering bullshit denials or excuses. “Good. Anything else?”

“Luc will fill you in, but it was a good quarter. I’ll send the full set of numbers over. I think you’re right, and we need to look into expanding. I don’t want to open another location, but neither of the surrounding businesses are willing to sell their space.”

Normally, my mind would be racing in twenty different directions as I evaluated the best course of action and formed several plans.

It wasn’t, though.

Even though I was looking forward to a new challenge, it could wait.

“I’ll get in touch with you later this week.” I started back to Dahlia before adding, “You outdid yourself with dinner.”

As I approached the table, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Dahlia. Her chin rested in her hand as she looked out the window. There was something delicate, almost vulnerable about her when she was unguarded.

“Ready?” I asked when I reached her.

“Yeah.” She stood and put her hoodie on as I grabbed the two bags of leftovers. “You sneaking those to Luc?”

I shook my head. “Luc would brag to Faust, ratting me out and ensuring I’m banned too. I’m not risking that.”

“I don’t blame you.”

After dropping some bills on the table, I placed my hand on her lower back as we walked outside. The temperature had dropped at least ten degrees, with a crisp wind biting.

Grabbing her hand, I stopped her. “Take my car,” I murmured, setting the bags on the hood. “It’s too cold out.”

Her hand landed on my chest. “All I was going to say is that I’m okay with just riding with you—”

One hand spanning her waist, the other holding her head in place, I leaned over and took her mouth. Parting her lips, my tongue danced with hers as I deepened the kiss. I stalked forward until her back was against the side of my SUV.

Public. We’re in public.

Dahlia’s grip on my arms tightened as she curved her body closer to mine.

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