Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
He wanted to give Ava that. Wanted to remind her of what they’d once had, the way he remembered it all.
He thanked Honorine, who then returned to the task of readying the restaurant for the evening. Before he sampled the flatfish, he waited for Ava to taste them, since they’d always been a favorite of hers. With the first bite, she closed her eyes to savor it, a soft moan rising up her throat, reminding him of all the times in his bed—that same ecstasy on her face, that same seductive moan on her lips.
“Too much spice?” he asked, knowing it wasn’t. He and Ava had always made just the right spice together.
She opened her eyes. “Perfect.”
Then he tried his own plate, and yes, the spice was just right, mixed with the tang of the lemon and the buttery texture of the fish.
“And the asparagus?” He served it al dente, with just a slight crunch, enhanced by the sauce.
She told him what he wanted to hear. “You timed it with precision.”
That’s how he had to work with Ava now—timed with precision. If he moved too fast, their relationship would be half-baked. Too slow, and he could burn it all away.
“The wine?” He’d paired the meal with a white wine, not too sweet, not too dry.
She raised her glass. “You know everything is perfect,” she said, her smile wry.
He wanted to lean over and kiss her, but all he did was wink.
As they ate, people glanced in the window, then checked the restaurant’s hours, wondering how these two could be eating before it opened for dinner. Perhaps they made a spectacle, but he liked being a spectacle with Ava.
“My people have a lot of good suggestions.” He steered the conversation to her menus and her facilities.
She nodded and, after swallowing a bite, said, “I especially liked the idea of having an Easter egg hunt on Easter. I’ve done it for the children visiting, but never included the adults.” She laughed, a tinkling sound that trickled down his skin. “After all, we’re all just big kids, aren’t we?”
“Absolutely. And the tree-decorating party at Christmas.”
She shook her fork at him. “I should have thought of that. I always have the staff decorate the tree overnight so everyone can be astounded in the morning. But it’s an even better idea to include them, with sugar cookies and hot cocoa like kids are supposed to serve Santa on Christmas Eve.”
“Your thinking was sound. I’m sure they all loved walking into the lounge to feel the magic of a fully decorated tree. But this could be even more fun.”
She agreed with a nod. “They love surprises, but they’ll love the activity just as much. We can pop popcorn right there and string it for garlands.”
Her eyes gleamed with ideas, and he was glad he’d brought her here. It wasn’t just a reminder of how they’d cooked together, how they’d eaten together, and all the sexy, seductive things they’d done afterward. It was how she’d made suggestions while he cooked. How he’d helped her with her studies, sometimes quizzing her with index cards before a test. How they’d hiked together, shopped together, cleaned the apartment together, walked the city streets together under an umbrella on rainy nights. At least, when they actually were together, when she wasn’t at school or working and he wasn’t traveling.
It was about the here and now, too, working on the menus, sharing ideas, involving his people in the new project, painting Edith’s and Myrtle’s nails.
But how long would she need him? How long before she found a permanent caterer? She’d thrown out an estimate of three to six months when she’d come to him that first day. But it wasn’t long enough.
After they’d finished every bite, the plates were whisked away. Across the restaurant, the swinging doors opened, and Honorine came through, proudly holding a flaming dessert, her sous-chef following her across the dining room.
“You didn’t ask for dessert, but I thought this would be just the right ending,” she said.
Two of her helpers moved the candles and bud vase out of the way, and she set the dessert plate between them.
“It’s beautiful,” Ava said, looking up at Honorine. “But what is it?”
The chef just laughed. “You have to try it to find out.” When the flames died down, she pumped freshly whipped cream out of a pressurized canister. “Go ahead,” Honorine urged. “Cut into it.”
Ransom waved his hand. “Ladies first.”
Ava picked up the pie knife and sliced into the round cake topped with cream, removing a piece dripping with melted chocolate.
“It’s a lava cake,” she said in delight.
But Honorine wagged a finger. “It’s called hot chocolate pudding. You pour the sauce over the cake batter and as it bakes, the two are almost blended. I used a jelly mold to give it shape.” She kissed her fingers. “A little brandy drizzled over it makes it sing.”