Page 117 of Lennox Lane

“We know,” Knox and Lane said together.

Lennox looked between them. “That felt coordinated.”

Lane smiled. “Natural alignment.”

Knox laughed. “I like her.”

“She’s very easy to like,” Lennox said.

Lane rolled her eyes, but warmth moved through her anyway.

Another woman approached then, carrying herself with effortless elegance. She was stunning in a sleek cream jumpsuit. Her short pixie cut curled to perfection as gold hoops brushed her jaw. A deep plum lip made her smile look even sharper. She held a wine key in one hand and a bottle tucked against her arm like she’d been born doing it.

“Lane, I’m Dana Evans,” she said warmly. “Owner of Maison Noire and Master Sommelier.”

Lane smiled. “I know. Your Syrah made me believe in second chances after a terrible work dinner.”

Dana’s eyes lit. “Now that’s the kind of review I like.”

“She means it,” Lennox said. “She wrote notes.”

Lane smiled playfully. “I audited the bottle.”

Dana laughed. “Then I’m honored.”

Knox gestured toward the table. “Tonight is five courses. Greek and soul influence with wine pairings by Dana. We built the menu around comfort, heat, depth, and a little surprise.”

Lane sat slowly, taking in the glasses, the vineyard, the flowers, the man beside her who had planned every detail because her joy mattered enough to coordinate with a chef and Master Sommelier.

“Y’all are trying to kill me,” she said.

Dana smiled. “Only softly.”

“Respectfully,” Knox added.

Lane looked at Lennox. “This has your energy all over it.”

He leaned close. “You said I was courting you like a proper gentleman.”

“I said it once, and you haven’t disappointed me yet,” she said, kissing him tenderly.

“And I'll continue to do so for more moments like this.”

“You’re insane.”

“For you? Yes.”

Her breath caught before she could stop it. Dana, who clearly missed nothing, smiled into the first pour and pretended not to notice.

The first course arrived like art.

A small plate of whipped feta and smoked honey served with warm skillet cornbread crisps, pickled okra, and charred lemon. Dana paired it with a crisp Maison Noire sparkling white that cut through the richness, making the honey taste even deeper.

Lane took one bite and closed her eyes.

“Okay,” she said after swallowing. “This is...My God. So amazing.”

Knox grinned. “Good start.”