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“That was for you. I didn’t want you to go through all the trouble of making two separate dishes.”
“Stop it!” she said, laughing.
He took a bite, and though the dish was more elevated than what they’d eaten, the taste invoked the memory of brunch in California, together on the patio overlooking the ocean. He could almost feel the breeze and smell the salt-tinged air. His blood simmered as he remembered what happened when she’d climbed onto his lap afterward.
“That was fantastic,” he said, putting down his utensils and taking a sip of the wine.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She covered his hand where it sat on the table. “I know you’re nervous about how your life has shifted in the past couple of weeks. It’s not what you saw for yourself. But, like avocado toast, you might be surprised by what happens. And no matter the outcome, I’m going to be here with you every step of the way.”
Appreciation expanded his chest until it felt close to bursting open. He didn’t know it was possible to love someone as much as he loved her.
“Do you remember this?” Dani asked, leaning back as the server slid two covered plates in front of them.
When the cloche was removed, he rubbed his hands together. “I never imagined something this gross-looking could be so delicious.”
Dani sucked her teeth. “Says a British person. Have you seenyourfood?”
The server’s mouth quirked but she didn’t react to either of their statements. “The chef has prepared a buttermilk drop biscuit with a white wine and sausage gravy infusion. And he’s paired it with a Blood Orange Bourbon Sour. Enjoy.”
It smelled delicious but the small fluffy discs and creamy smear—
“This doesn’t look quite like what we had.”
“This is the fancy version with petite portion sizes. A plate piled with a mound of biscuits and topped with a vat of sausage gravy like we’d get at home? I wouldn’t do that to you. Or to me. I’m trying to look cute for you tonight and there’s nothing sexy about bloating and gas.”
He’d trust her judgment as to the portion size, but he disagreed with her conclusion. She’d introduced the southern cuisine to him so he would always find the dish sexy. Because when he ate it, he would think of her.
“What if I get a craving when you’re not here? I can’t call up and order biscuits and gravy. I’d get cookies and meat stew.”
“I’ll make sure to give my Nana’s recipe to Margery.”
“Good idea.”
“Of course it is,” she preened. “That’s why you keep me around. My job is to alleviate your stress.”
“Which you do, every time I see your beautiful face.”
“You are too sweet.”
Dani broke the silence that had descended as they savored the fare. “I had a good time at the exhibit the other night.”
“Surprisingly, so did I.”
Her expression brightened. “That’s great. I thought you would.”
“It doesn’t mean I wasn’t blindsided by the suggestion and your desire to attend. Especially after our agreement.”
“I know.” She pushed a bite of biscuit around on her plate. “It wasn’t fair of me to do it that way. And I’m sorry.”
“My life is different from what it was when we had that discussion—”
“Same,” she muttered.
“—and I’ve made a choice to take on more duties. But how I feel about it hasn’t changed. I want it to have as little impact on our life as possible.”
“I understand. I just... I want to spend time with you. It may not be appropriate for everything on your schedule, but for the events where it is, I’d like to go with you.”
He realized that her happiness had become more important to him than his own.
