When she leaves, Dani asks in a low whisper, “Our party?”
“I have no idea.” Because I really don’t know. I didn’t plan on company eating with us when I made the reservations.
My thumbnail is between my teeth before I realize it. A nervous habit of mine that I can’t seem to break. Laminated menus are placed before us with names of dishes to choose from, some I’ve never heard of. I groan. Mark isn’t going to enjoy any of this, but we have to bring him back something. Maybe the tomo is something he might like. It’s a bowl of angel hair noodles in a cream sauce with baby octopus. If he doesn’t like octopuses, he can easily remove them.
We ponder over the menu, and I’m picking Dani’s brain on what caviar tastes like when the hostess comes back with a group of men in suits. I’m taken aback, because it’s the men who were leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The last one to enter is Wade Lynwood, the mayor and wealthiest bachelor in Seattle. The one I have my eye on. If I could bag him, then all my problems would disappear.
They take their seats, leaving the chair next to mine empty. My hands start to shake, and I hold them together under the table, so no one else will notice how nervous I am.
“Hello.” He nods toward Dani and me in greeting. “The two of you wouldn’t mind if our party joined yours for lunch, would you?” he asks with a smile, grabbing the empty seat next to mine. He was the last one to walk in, probably since he was held up taking pictures with the press.
The sandalwood cologne he’s wearing swarms me like a hive of bees. It makes the spit in my mouth dry as I plaster a polite smile on my face. “No, go right ahead.”
“So, Mrs.—” He fumbles for my name.
“Miss Cosgrove,” I quickly finish, making sure he knows I’m single. Definitely Not married. Anymore that is.
“Well, it is very nice to meet you, Miss Cosgrove.” He clears his throat before unwrapping the cloth place setting and setting the napkin in his lap. Very proper.
“You can call me, Violet, Mr. Mayor.” My hand rests over my chest, and my heart races under my palm. Trust comes hard for me, but trusting the wrong people is what I do best.
“Wade. You can call me Wade.” He gives a half grin.
I point a finger at him and say the first thing that comes to mind. “Like Bruce Wade.”
That earns a lighthearted chuckle out of him. “That would be Bruce Wayne. If only I could look as good as Batman.”
“Oh, you definitely do,” Dani interjects, peering over my shoulder.
I swat her away. Could she really be doing this to me right now? Wade pays her no mind and continues, “How long have you lived in Seattle?”
“I moved here about six months ago.” His eyes roam my body, causing my cheeks to heat. So, he’s checking me out. That’s why he asked us to sit with them.
“How are you liking it so far?” he asks.
I give in and grant him a flirty smile. Without stopping there, I also give a show of pushing my blonde hair back. “I think I’d like it much better if I had a guide, sir.” I lower my voice as I say sir, wanting to see his reaction. “I’ve also heard a lot about how amazing the mayor is here, so I had to come see for myself.” I stifle a grin of satisfaction as his pupils dilate. A man who loves attention also enjoys when they sway your decisions.
“I bet they were all good things.” A cocky expression takes over his face, and it’s hard not to notice how attractive he is. Not my type, but I would be blind not to notice.
“Oh, yes of course. Nothing but the best.” I pick up the napkin and do the same as Mayor Wade Lynwood. I’m not sure why since we haven’t even ordered yet. I just need something to take my mind off the nerves. “And I’m actually really enjoying it here.”
“Good to hear,” he says, turning to the rest of the group. Done with our back-and-forth banter for now, he announces, “I’ve ordered something special for all of us that’s not on the menu.”
The whole group is nodding and smiling. He’s straightforward, not asking if his choice is okay with everyone at the table. Anything the mayor says or does, goes. My guess is everyone is only trying to appease him, to get on his good side, and I most definitely want to be on that side.
He turns to me and whispers, “I hope that’s okay with you.”
My heart beats faster in my chest. Can he hear that? Pulling myself together, I respond, “Oh, of course. I’m sure whatever you’ve chosen for us will be lovely.” Not that I would have stated otherwise. I don’t want to come off as a whiny bitch. I give him a wave of my hand to show all is well, but really, I’m more shocked he considered asking me.
Waiters come from a side door with plates of food and an uncorked bottle of wine. Seafood and sweet fruits assault my senses and have my mouth watering. I’m not sure I’ve ever smelled anything so divine except for that time I went to this restaurant on the beach in California. They place dishes and wine glasses in front of everyone while one waiter holds a silver bottle of wine in front of Wade. He gives the waiter a curt nod, and the waiter pours a glass for Wade to taste. He swirls the contents of the glass around and smells it before taking a small sip.
He smacks his lips, holding up the glass. “L.W. Blanc de Blancs, best chardonnay in all of Seattle.”
Everyone waits for their glasses to be filled and for the go ahead from Wade. Dani and I glance at each other. We did not prepare for a lunch with the mayor himself. Fine dining always goes over an hour, but lunch with the mayor is sure to go even longer. I’m sure Mark will understand once we tell him.
When one of the waiters walks past, I hold up my hand, halting him.
“Yes?” he asks.
“Is there a way I can order this plate?” I point to the dish on the menu.
“Will that be included on the tab?” He looks at me skeptically as if I’ve done something wrong.
“No, no. Sorry. This is to-go for our boss,” I say, holding up a hand and shaking it in the air as if to tell him I’ve got it covered. “It will be on our tab.” I motion between Dani and me.
“They will be included on our tab,” Wade interjects, jumping into our conversation.
The waiter bows his head. “Very well, sir.”
He leaves us, and I’m left speechless. “Um, thank you, Mr. Mayor.”
“Call me Wade,” he says, supplying a genuine smile. “No need for the formalities, Violet.” My heart leaps into my throat, making it hard to swallow. He’s growing more comfortable with me. “Let’s eat.” He addresses the table and silverware begins clinking on the ceramic plates.
I take a few bites of the shrimp and mangos coated in a sweet sauce that melts in my mouth before taking a sip of the wine. It complements the seafood wonderfully and causes a soft moan to escape my lips. The only one to notice my minor slip of real satisfaction is Wade, who stares at my lips. My palms sweat, and I wipe them on my slacks. I’m embarrassed by my lack of composure, but the food is just too good. I’m thankful when he turns back to his colleagues, not drawing more attention toward the situation.
The minced mango pieces and grilled shrimp are all mixed together on a bed of rice. I push my food around on my plate as I strain to listen in on their conversation. The only problem is they are giving names and mentioning places I’ve never heard of like Santa Rose, Miller, Davis, and McIntire. The last thing they mention is California’s governor, for which Wade gives them a look, and that subject is shut down quicker than Russian roulette. By the end of the meal, I’ve separated every ingredient into small piles on my plate.