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“Thank you for bringing me here. It’s beautiful.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I can’t believe you rented the entire place just for us.”
“My pleasure.” I wink at her. “Besides the owner owes me.”
“Doesn’t everyone owe you?”
Teasing vibrates in her tone despite her accusatory implication regarding my dominance. “Yep, pretty much.”
The waitress I specifically picked to serve us emerges from the kitchen, carrying a massive white marble tray, and heads our way.
“Good evening Mr. Gallo, Miss Scott. I’m Patty, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. We’re starting off with a charcuterie board featuring Tim’s famous roasted grapes and basil-artichoke tapenade.”
She slides the huge platter onto the table. Addie lets out another squeak of surprise. The chef expertly laid out the meats and cheeses to resemble a huge bouquet. The display really is phenomenal. I lean closer to my girl. “I told you I would fill your life with flowers.”
Addie’s gaze roams over the presentation with enormous eyes. “It’s just mind-blowing.”
Patty grins and bobs her head. “I’ll let him know. He’ll be pleased you like it. Enjoy and I’ll be back with drinks.”
With the waitress’s departure, I’m ready to dig in. But Addie continues to stare at the masterpiece.
“It’s almost too pretty to eat.”
Almost.
I yank out my phone and take a quick photo. Fuck if I’m turning into my sister. “I’m starving. We can share this with Chels when we get home. It’ll be a good project to keep her busy.”
Addie’s carefree laugh accompanies her grabbing a tiny fork and stabbing two figs. “She’ll love it. Poor Mrs. Zirkelbach.”
She’s right. Mrs. Z will be the one stuck buying everything from Chelsea’s whims as well as cleaning up the mess.
When my girl moans in appreciation of her fruit, I grab a long, thin slice of prosciutto covered in bleu cheese crumbles. The combination tastes as good as it looks.
Patty returns, bringing two glasses of white wine. As expected, she serves Addie first. “This is an off-dry Reisling. It partners well with the sweet components yet also mellows out the sharp and tangy flavors of the cheeses.”
Her description is exactly why I picked her—knowledgeable and thoughtful. Plus, I didn’t want any men ogling my spectacular woman.
“The main course will be ready in about fifteen minutes giving you plenty of time to nibble.”
A professional, she nods and quickly departs, which is perfect for me to be alone with Addie. I clink my flute to hers and take a long sip. She mimics me and her eyes sink shut for a minute.
“That is so good.”
Thank fuck. “A good life just like I promised.”
The reminder falters her expression rather than buoys her like I intend. “What’s wrong?”
She slowly shakes her head with her focus on the stack of seeded crackers.
“I’ve never celebrated my birthday before until you and Chelsea. I…”
My hand curls over her fingers to find them trembling. I hate that she’s upset. “What?”
“I’m afraid if I let myself enjoy it too much, I’ll somehow get hurt.”
“Again?”
