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“Where?” Ella asked.
“Acquerello,” he said as he waived his hand. He was already done with their meeting. Dang, the man could be dismissive.
Her heart sank to her stomach. It was one of the best restaurants in San Francisco and so far out of her budget, she couldn’t even afford to smell the air around the place. The Palazzos might not think anything about eating there, but it was a month’s budget or more for one meal. Maybe she could get away with getting a salad and drinking water, but even that would be expensive.
“I’m not sure I can make it,” she said, trying to find any excuse in the book she could think of.
“Why?” Bass asked. “Do we need to move the time?”
“I haven’t said the time,” Rafe pointed out. He stared at her. “My sisters are paying. This is their request.” He’d figured out immediately what she was thinking, and she felt even more humiliated. This only confirmed to him that she was after money. She obviously didn’t have much of her own.
She’d rather be getting groped by her boss than sitting here, feeling utter humiliation.
“You can be such a dick, Rafe,” Bass said. “Let’s get out of here, Ella.” He stood and held out a hand to her. She firmed her shoulders and ignored his hand as she got up.
“Thank you for the meeting.” She was stiff as she walked away. Rafe was trying to take away the one sure thing that was hers . . . her pride. She wasn’t going to allow him to do that. He started to say something to her, but she didn’t turn back around and face him, just held her hand up in dismissal and walked from his office.
That small victory gave her a hint of a smile on her lips. She was sure Rafe didn’t have too many people walk away from him. She didn’t mind being one of the few.
“Remember I’ve been where you have,” Bass said as he hit the elevator button.
She turned and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“When I met Nana Bee I was scoping her place out to rob it. I had to steal food. Not everyone grew up as Rafe did with endless money. I might have a ton of the green stuff now, but I’m very aware of expensive items. No matter how much I have in my pocket, I remember living in poverty,” he told her.
She gave him a grateful smile. “I’ve lived this way too long. I’m going to make some changes.”
They entered the elevator. “I have no doubt you will. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel less than what you are. You might not be able to see it, but I see so much in your eyes, Ella. You’re determined, strong, beautiful, and the world is at your fingertips. Don’t let anyone take that from you.”
Ella thought long about his words even after they parted. They meant more to her than he’d ever know. She wasn’t defined by her station in life, she was excellingdespiteit. She sometimes forgot that, but she was determined not to do it again. Rafe was giving her a gift in his snobbery. She’d go to that dinner . . . and she’d keep her dang head high and act as if she belonged. Money didn’t define a person’s worth, dammit.
Nana Bee had seen something special in her. It was about time she started looking for what that was. If she looked, it wouldn’t take long to find it. She’d be the person Nana Bee believed her to be, even if she had to kick her own ass in order to find herself.
Chapter Fourteen
Bass and Ella
Bass walked into the Acquerello Gold Room thinking there was a time in his life he hadn’t been able to imagine stepping foot inside a restaurant like this one. It was a luxurious place for people to rub elbows while enjoying their tasting menu that started at two hundred and fifty dollars per person. That didn’t include the wine or the added price for the fourteen-guest private gold room either.
Since spending time with Ella and seeing her humility and struggles, he was a little disgusted with being in the fancy restaurant now. He knew she was going to be uncomfortable from the moment she stepped inside until she was able to leave. He hated that for her.
There was one large table set up for their party with a set menu. He was glad she wouldn’t have to choose on her own. It was going to be difficult for her as it was. There were already waiters inside with trays filled with hors d’ oeuvres and wine. He had to admit he liked fine wine. The days of boxed wine were long behind him.
This restaurant was expensive, but it had history, which he liked, and had been in operation for three decades, and touted unparalleled Italian food in the exclusive Nob Hill neighborhood.
Their menu that night included bluefin tuna, caviar, smoked sturgeon, artichokes, ridged black truffle pasta, lamb, and more. He grabbed an appetizer as Ella walked inside, her eyes wide as she tugged on the hem of her dress. He wanted to take her stress away. He also knew she had to go through growing pains if she wanted to survive in the world. He stood back and watched how she’d react to it all.
***
There was a large portfolio on a side table that everyone was looking at. Ella moved closer as people greeted her. She felt insecure, but she was pretty sure she was doing a great job of covering it up. She didn’t want anyone to know she felt less than them.
In reality she knew money didn’t make a person, but you didn’t grow up the way she had without having insecurities. It would take her many more years to get past them, but she was determined she eventually would find herselfandher inner peace. That thought made her smile.
“Ella, come look,” Bass said, excitement shining in his eyes. He showed enough delight to take away her fears. Rafe stood off to the side and appeared to be impressed, though he was doing his best to keep a neutral expression on his face. His wife beamed next to him.
“Bass told us this was your idea,” Ari said. “It’s absolutely brilliant.”
“I can’t believe none of us thought of it, but I’m so glad Nana Bee had you at her side for so long. You really listened to her. She’d absolutely love this,” Rachel said as she came over and hugged Ella.
