Lottie: OMG! He took you to Dim Sum Star? Why did that just make my heart flutter? How did he know?
I glance up at JP, who’s immersed in the menu, so I text back.
Kelsey: Heard us talking about it. Thought I’d want to revisit it.
Her response is immediate.
Lottie: Umm . . . is he thoughtful?
Kelsey: I think he’s just trying to show me he’s not the asshole I’ve claimed he is.
Lottie: He’s definitely not, with that kind of dinner surprise. Well, have fun. Don’t get the tea, remember, Mom gagged on it.
Oh, that’s right.
“Don’t get it,” I nearly shout while holding my arm out to him.
He peeks over the menu, his dark brows pulling together.
“Jesus . . . don’t get what?”
My cheeks heat up as I realize how insane I must have just sounded. “Uh, the tea. Lottie just reminded me that Mom got it and gagged on it. So, maybe skip the tea.”
“Okay.” He eyes me weirdly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I offer him a smile. “Just fine.”
“Okay,” he drags out.
We spend the next few minutes deciding what we want to order. They no longer cart the food around but bring the items you choose. We pick out a few dishes that we’re both interested in and then, once our waitress heads back to the kitchen, I take a sip of my water.
“So, this is your ideal night out? Chasing after a girl’s dream restaurant?”
“No. Getting dim sum in Chinatown is a must.”
“Don’t you think . . . that’s slightly touristy?”
“Probably,” he answers. “If I was taking you out, you know, on a date, I would’ve taken you to the Parkside Club.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“A restaurant at the top of the Parkside Building. We own it.”
“Naturally.” I laugh.
“Brilliant chef who makes the best fucking dumplings you’ll ever have. He started his culinary journey in Chinatown, actually. Huxley found him and offered him a job that he couldn’t refuse. Not many people can afford to eat at the Parkside Club, but those that do, eat well.”
“Well, you know, you could’ve taken me there.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, the vibe wouldn’t have been right. Formal attire is required and the place is stuffy as shit. Here, we get to relax.” He says that as he slouches in his chair.
“So, then who would you take to the Parkside Club? A special date?”
He adjusts his hat on his head and says, “I’ve only gone with my brothers. Haven’t taken anyone. Like I said, food is fucking good, but it’s stuffy. I’m not about to take a date there.”
“But I thought you said this wasn’t a date? Maybe you should’ve taken me there.”
“And miss out on the opportunity to see you cry over a picture of yourself with braces? Fuck no.”
I laugh. “Ah, yes, a dream moment, I’m sure.”
He taps the side of his head. “Filed that away for safekeeping.”
“I’m sure you did.” I lean on the table and ask, “So, what did you do today?”
“Nothing special,” he answers. “Answered a laundry list of emails from my brothers, worked out, did some visits.”
“What kind of visits? Conjugal?”
“What?” He laughs. “Who the fuck would I be visiting in prison?”
“I don’t know your life. Could be anyone.”
“That fucking brain of yours, there’s something wrong with it. No, I just visited with some nonprofits in the area.”
That perks me up. “Really? Which ones?”
“If you must know, you fucking nosey thing”—that makes me smile—“I met with a foundation that saves pigeons and then stopped by an animal shelter.”
“You just casually went and saved animals today. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“I didn’t save them but, you know, grew some connections.” He shrugs. “Then went back to the penthouse where I took a shower and got ready. If I knew you were going to take forever to get dressed, I would’ve spent more time in the shower.”
“Oh yeah, doing what?”
He raises a brow, and that’s all he has to say.
“Ah, I see. The old scrub and tug, huh?”
His head falls back and a very sexy rumble of laughter falls out of him. “Yeah, something like that. What about you, how were your meetings today?”
“Fun,” I say with a smile. “I met with Dena over at the South building. She was the sweetest, and we spent all morning walking through the building and seeing where we could make changes. She’s very excited about all the plans we mapped out.”