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When he put it that way, how I could I refuse?
Remembering his advice, I carefully pivoted, tucking the bottom of my dress around my thighs. I reached up, grabbed his hand, and let him pull me from the low-slung sports car.
Everything after that was a blur.
People yelled questions.
Cameras flashed.
The roar of a dozen clicking cameras.
But through it all, Rome kept his arm around me, nestling me against his firm chest and the reassuring thud of his heartbeat.
I tried to follow the rest of his advice—looking down with a slight smile—but honestly, it was all a blur. The next thing I knew, the door closed behind us and I was standing in the dim reception area of a fancy restaurant.
Dragging my sunglasses off, I sent Rome a stunned smile. We survived!
Despite his advice, I was still a little blinded and took a second to blink the fog away. It didn’t help that the restaurant had a dark and moody atmosphere. After a moment, I was able to take in the dark brown leather on all the low seats and the room beyond sparkled with the crystal chandeliers and the red to soft yellow gradated textured walls. It all looked so hip and moody. I wasn’t sure I was cool enough to enter the restaurant, let alone eat here.
Then that creepy crawly feeling slithered over my skin again.
I looked away from the decor and found an awed waiting room and patrons beyond all watching us with avid eyes. Some pointed at us. But everyone was staring.
I froze.
Rome nudged me forward, his arm still around me. I felt like a foal trying to walk for the first time—all gangly, uncoordinated legs.
We paused in front of the reception desk and Rome’s lips brushed against my forehead. “Just keep breathing. It’s all a part of the circus. We’re fine.”
His whispered words didn’t do much to alleviate that freaked out feeling boiling up inside me. I tried to breathe. I didn’t pass out, so I must’ve succeeded.
But my legs still felt all awkward and clumsy as we followed the hostess to the private curtained off room.
Rome held out a chair for me, and I sat as gracefully as I was capable, then watched in stunned silence as he took the chair next to me and not across from me like I’d expected.
Especially since with this size of the room and table, he had six other options to choose from.
I accepted the offered menu with a smile while the hostess stared stoically back. Her attitude changed as she offered Rome his. Now she was all smiles and simpering “Mister Grier.” Her eyes ate up any part of him that they could reach.
It would’ve been funny if I wasn’t so insulted. I was right here. Could she not see me?
Rome, however, wasn’t charmed. His eyes were on me, despite the fact he was addressing the hostess. “Let our server know we need a minute, but we’d like a bottle of still water. Thanks.”
“Right away, Mister Grier.” Despite her words, she stayed at the table. Lingering.
I bit my lip. Suddenly I wasn’t so annoyed. It was awkwardly tragic how clueless the hostess was. I mean, I got it—Roman was hot as hell—but still, I expected more from a restaurant that had everyone who was anyone here.
After a few more awkward beats, the hostess left in a flurry of red cheeks while muttering ‘still water’ over and over under her breath.
I buried my head in the menu. “What’s good here?”
“I think we should definitely start with the sashimi tacos. They’re pretty small, so we’ll get a few. And I love the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño. But maybe that’s too much sashimi for you? The rock shrimp tempura is awesome. Or the black cod miso is notoriously tasty.”
I smiled. He was so freaking charming, leading me through the menu without being all pretentious about it. I put my menu down and smiled at him. “’Notoriously tasty’? Didn’t you say earlier that you needed a writer to sound charming? I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job all on your own.”
Rome smiled back at me and opened his mouth to reply when our server came crashing through the privacy curtain.
She made a huge production of opening the water and pouring two glasses before turning all her attention on Roman. “What may I get for you this evening?”
