Page 16 of Say My Name

“You know this is excessive.”

“I know you’ve wanted to go.”

“That doesn’t make it less excessive.”

“I also requested a private table.”

“Why?”

“You hate public birthday attention. This avoids a candle, a song, or strangers watching you pretend to enjoy either one.”

That answer lands somewhere deeper than the expensive reservation. He arranged the privacy because he knows I would rather leave without dessert than sit through an entire dining room singing to me.

“You really planned all of this.”

“You only turn thirty once.”

“Thank God.”

His mouth curves. “Come on.”

Dominic steps behind my chair as I stand, his fingers brushing the silk between my shoulder blades as he moves it out of my way.

It’s barely a touch. He’s probably done it a dozen times before, and I’ve never noticed.

Tonight I notice, and my mind goes straight back to the video. His hands gripping a woman’s hips. That rough sound he made when she said his name.

A familiar warmth prickles up my neck. I walk toward the door before Maya can return and find something else to investigate.

Dominic drives us himself. A cold bottle of my preferred sparkling water is waiting in the cup holder when I get in.

I hold it up as he pulls into traffic. “Did you prepare a full dossier for this evening?”

“You complain about the other brand.”

“I said it tasted like television static.”

“You said it every time the executive dining room stocked it.”

“That seems unlikely.”

“It was four times.”

I twist off the cap. “You counted?”

“You were repetitive.”

“And now you’ve stocked the car with the only water I’m willing to drink.”

“You’re welcome.”

I take a sip and look out at the evening traffic. “A custom menu, a private table, and approved sparkling water. Should I expect a string quartet?”

“No. You’d hate that.”

“I would.”

“I know.”