Page 258 of The Holy Grail
“Hey, yourself,” Malcom returned, taking her hand and kissing the platinum wedding band on her left ring finger, with its row of bezel-set diamonds on top and his and Evan’s names engraved on the inside.
Malcom and Evan had matching rings as well, with ‘Evan’ and ‘Jules’ and ‘Malcom’ and ‘Jules’ engraved on them, respectively.
The placing of the rings on their ring fingers was obviously ceremonial, because the three of them couldn’t legally be married, but theyfeltmarried, so chose to use the traditional ring finger … and anyone who might look at them sideways, or be judgmental about it could go fuck themselves.
“I picked my people,” she announced.
Randomly, she would choose a couple—or a family—in the restaurant and send either a bottle of champagne or desserts over to them as a surprise. Usually it was because they were celebrating an event, but sometimes it was just because they caught her attention in some way.
“Where are they?” he asked.
“Corner booth.”
He glanced over and saw Evan in the process of delivering two glasses and a bottle of champagne to a fairly young couple—possibly in their late twenties—who looked like they were wearing their nicest clothes, although they were far from fancy.
“Tell me about them,” Malcom said.
With a smile, Jules dove in. “They’re celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, and decided to splurge on a really nice dinner. I found out they had their wedding reception at The Main Event, while Paige was there, and I’m pretty sure this is the couple who had very little money, so Paige paid for the food and the room fee … and David paid their bar tab, because they reminded Paige of her and David when they got married the first time.”
“That was generous of them,” Malcom murmured, as Evan expertly popped the cork and filled the two glasses to the couple’s obvious delight. “And very kind.”
“It was. She and David did most of the room set-up, as well.”
Malcom smiled softly. “I knew the moment I met her she was a sweetheart. Actually, I knew it before the introductions were made.”
“I’m guessing you weren’t thinking that about me.”
He almost snorted. “I definitely wasn’t.”
She gave him a look that told him she wasn’t amused, even though she obviously was, before getting back on topic. “Anyway, I think this couple might have had to save up for tonight’s celebration, so I wanted to give them a little something they probably wouldn’t get for themselves.”
“I like that. What do you say we give them a complimentary dinner, as well?”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
Tugging him close to give him a deep kiss, she then wiped a little bit of her Clinique Black Honey lipstick off his bottom lip. “I love you so much right now.”
“I love you so much right now, too.”
“Is it more than I love you?” she teased, her eyes traveling over his face. A few months shy of turning fifty, he was aging like fine wine—like a 2008 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, fine. The laugh lines around his blue eyes (which were now glasses-free since he finally opted to have LASIK surgery a year and a half ago) added more character, as did the more pronounced gray hair at his temples.
“No, just the same amount,” he replied blandly, after pretending to mull it over.
“That’s not the correct answer.”
“What? If I loved you more, it would upset the delicate balance of our triad, wouldn’t it? And we’re all about balance.”
Before she could respond, Evan, having finished with the young couple, began making his way over to Jules and Malcom, drawing their attention.
Looking polished in tailored slacks and a button-down shirt, Evan, now forty-four, had undergone the most noticeable change during his time in France. As well as gaining a quiet maturity, he’d developed an appreciation for designer clothing (which surpassed even that of Jules), and had come home with an amazing wardrobe filled with pieces from Armani, Dior, and Tom Ford.
He’d also adopted a modern, slicked-back hairstyle, and while it didn’t completely tame his wavy, reddish-brown hair, it kept it nicely off his face, highlighting his closely trimmed beard.
“Your couple was ecstatic,” he told Jules as he sat down.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that,” she replied, glancing over at the couple again, watching as they drank some of the Veuve Cliquot champagne, clearly enjoying it.
