Page 29 of Blindsided By Fake Love

“Lead the conversation in a way that left Katy speechless.” I shake my head, and Beau grins. “Poor Katy didn’t stand a chance against you. It was an impressive sight to behold.”

“Thank you,” he says, as we start walking toward The Glowing Fork.

“But seriously, where did you learn that technique?” Beau has always been good on his feet; I should know since I was usually on the other end of his witty comebacks.

“College.” He takes a deep breath, and the hand interlaced with mine flexes. “When I was on the football team, they taught us how to deal with the press.”

“That’s right! You played in college—”

“Were you stalking me?” he teases me, nudging my hip, and I giggle.

“I may have listened a bit more intently if I heard your name mentioned.” I grin. “But Genevieve was the one who followed your college career. How is it that you ended up playing rugby?”

“That’s a great topic of conversation for dinner,” he says as he grabs the handle and pulls open the door to The Glowing Fork.

Beau holds the door open for me, and I walk over the threshold. Gideon Wren is standing behind the hostess station with a wry grin that widens when he sees Beau walk in behind me.

“Hello, you two,” he says, his eyes twinkling. Then picks up a menu and whispers, “Or should I say Mr. and Mrs.?”

I chuckle nervously, but Beau responds without hesitation. “‘You two’ is perfect for now. How are you, Gideon?”

“Excited to have the most talked about couple here at my restaurant tonight! I have the best table for you.” He points to the table in the center of the room and I nearly roll my eyes and groan.

It’s always so much fun being in a fishbowl. In a small town. Where gossip is queen.

The only saving grace is that The Glowing Fork has a unique environment.

One of the things about living in a town called Starhaven is that many businesses have fun with the star part. My business, ‘Starlight Vet Haven’, a coffee shop named ‘Bean Me Up’ (I love that one), and then The Glowing Fork.

Though stars have nothing to do with the name, the interior is decorated like a starry night. When you walk through the door, you feel like you’re in an open field under a clear night sky.

Gideon and his wife, Aurora, are huge stargazers. I remember when they moved to Starhaven and opened the restaurant with a stargazing theme. You needed a reservation weeks in advance.

So sitting in the middle of the room for everyone to watch isn’t so bad, especially since it’s dark.

The only lights in the room come from the lamps on the tables. The rest is all blacklight and UV tape. Gideon grabs two menus.

“Follow me.”

When we step into the dining area, the constellations on Gideon’s blue shirt start to glow immediately. On the floor, the UV strips lead us through the pathway of tables.

“Here we are.”

Beau pulls out the chair for me, and I shyly smile, feeling self-conscious, knowing my teeth are probably a lovely shade of blue. I also can’t help but notice how quiet the room has gotten.

Scanning the room, I find everyone is staring at us. I swallow hard. As if my nerves weren’t on edge already, now we have an audience.

Chapter Thirteen

Beau

“Chloewillbeyourwaitress tonight,” Gideon grins, as he places menus in front of us. “She’ll be with you shortly. Enjoy your dinner.” He winks at us and walks away, his shirt shining with the Big Dipper on one side and Orion on the other.

“Thanks, Gideon,” Kit beams, and I can’t help but chuckle at her glowing teeth. “What?”

“Your teeth.” My eyes crinkle at the corners. The expression on her face is irresistible. She’s like a little kid at the candy store and I’m captivated.

“Yours too!” she says with sparkling eyes, and this time, I burst out laughing. Kit leans to the middle, lifting a hand to her cheek and whispering, “And theirs.”

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