"That's part of it."
"I'd like to think so.I take pride in my cooking."
"I've noticed.When I first found out that you had a restaurant, I half expected to learn that you only owned it in name and it wasn't actually you who cooked the food," she admitted.
"I don't serve food I don't cook myself."The water swirled around us, little bubbles popping when they touched my skin.
"I know that now," she assured me."You're far too involved in the creative process for that."
"I am.Are you free tomorrow?"
She raised an eyebrow."Trying to find out if I'll stay the night?"
I chuckled."That's your choice at any point.I'm going to be working on the menu for my upcoming charity event.I would like your input if you're free."
"Aren't you worried I'm not going to like something?"she asked curiously.
"Your honest opinion is what I want."
"Then you're in luck," she responded."I don't need to be anywhere tomorrow.And if it comes to it, I might be able to convince my boss that it's a work assignment, especially if she can get me tickets to your event."
"It's sold out, but I think there is a way you can attend."
"Oh?"She shifted a little in the tub, revealing more of the swell of her breasts and almost distracting me completely from my thoughts.
I cleared my throat."You could attend as my date."
Her lips quirked up into a smile."You haven't even told me what, when, or where it is," she pointed out.
"The Underworld."I leaned back, enjoying the way the bubbles felt against my body.I didn't often share the hot tub with anyone, but it felt good to have her here.
"As in where dead people go?"
I laughed despite myself."It's a nightclub in the god realm.My brother runs it.Hades, not Zeus.Though I can't guarantee the latter won't be there, I haven't really looked at the guest list."
Her eyes widened."You want me to go to the god realm with you?"
"If you'd like.The event is to raise money for my charity, I'd love to share that with you."
"What would I wear?"she asked, and I felt relief slip through me in response.She wanted to say yes.
"Whatever you'd like.It's in a few weeks, so there's time."
"I highly doubt that's the real answer about what to wear to a god-run charity event," she said.
"It's black tie.If you need something, I'm sure I can find someone to help you."It wasn'texactlypart of Aphrodite's job description to go shopping for my date, but I'd known her for a long time, and I suspected that my event planner would be all for it.
"I have something.It's even blue."
I chuckled."I don't insist on all of my guests wearing blue."
"I know.But it would be strange if I turned up in bright pink as your date."
"That's nice," I said."But you can wear what you want."
"I think I have the perfect dress in mind."She smiled, moving her hand through the water.
I wished there wasn't as much of a gap between us.I knew I could probably close it, and she would probably respond in a positive manner, but I didn't want to rush things.
