Page 34 of Auctioned To Be Mine

“I’m serious. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Pick whatever you want.”

“Fine.” He scanned the menu. “I’ll get the spaghetti bolognese.”

I winced. “Actually, maybe pick something else.”

“What?” He looked up at me. “Why? Is it bad?”

“No, it’s amazing. It’s just the messiest spaghetti I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

“Oh, come on. What does that even mean?”

“It means exactly what I said. The sauce is incredible but it’s like they make it extra liquid-y on purpose. You will end up wearing half of it.”

He leaned back in his chair, a challenge in his eyes. “You think I can’t handle spaghetti?”

“On the plus side, getting marinara sauce on that shirt can only improve it.”

He shrugged. “Maybe I like living dangerously.”

“There’s a difference between living dangerously and being stupid.”

“Are you calling me stupid?”

“I’m calling your food choice questionable.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. Was he enjoying this? “You know what? I’m a grown man. I think I can handle a plate of pasta.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Noted.” He closed his menu with an air of finality. “I’m getting the spaghetti.”

“Your funeral.”

“What are you getting?”

“The chicken parmigiana. Because I’m smart.”

“Because you’re boring.”

I nearly choked on my wine. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Chicken parm is the safe choice. The predictable choice.”

“And spaghetti isn’t? It’s also delicious and won’t end up all over my dress.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I left it at home along with my desire to do laundry tonight.”

He laughed. For a moment, he was just a guy sitting across from me, getting a feel for one another. The server appeared to take our order. Callum ordered his spaghetti with the confidence of someone who had no idea what he was getting into.

“So,” I said once the server left. “Tell me about the store you’re opening.”

“How do you know about that?”

“Your dad mentioned it when I met with him. He seemed excited about it.”

“It’s a big deal. Blackwell Couture has never had a physical store before. It’s high-end everything—dresses, accessories, wedding stuff.”