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Happy was the last thing I felt when I looked at my parents as they sized up the restaurant. All I knew is that I would do anything to protect Lia from them.
“Want me to show them the dungeons? I can lock them away for the night.”
I turned to find Lachlan and Graham, both done up in their kilts, standing behind me.
“I might just take you up on that.”
“Who is the woman?” Graham being Graham, asked.
“Robyn. I grew up with her. She’s old money and, from what I remember, actually really nice. My parents have decided she’s a better match for me than Lia.”
“Dungeons it is.” Lachlan started forward, and I grabbed his arm.
“No, don’t make a scene. I can handle this.”
“Careful, lad. You don’t want Lia coming out and thinking you’re a part of this.” Lachlan nodded to the group.
“How could she? I’m besotted with her.”
“You’re walking a fine line, is all.”
“Aside from kicking them out, they’ve given me no choice, have they?” I sighed as they waved to me, the maître d standing expectantly by their sides.
“If you need me to take Robyn off your hands…” Graham suggested, and I grinned at him.
“I might actually take you up on that.”
“Just say the word, lad.”
I tried not to let my annoyance show as we were led to our seats, though Robyn did shoot me a few considering looks. What was I supposed to say to my old friend? Go home? No. I would make nice and then when I had a moment, I’d explain to her that the chef was my girlfriend.
“This place is really pretty,” Robyn said as I held out a chair for her.
It was, and I couldn’t be prouder of Lia, seeing the restaurant for the first time in all its glory. Chatter filled the hall, but the large greenery walls softened the sound, and the lighting danced through the leaves and against the wood beams that crossed the ceiling. Candles were scattered along the walls on various points where the stone walls created natural ledges, and the entire atmosphere was both rustic and elegant. Most of the patrons wore happy smiles, and I greeted more than one person that I knew. This was how it would be, I realized, if I stayed here. Greeting friends, gathering at Lia’s wonderful restaurant, and creating places for the community to enjoy.
“It’s not bad,” Mum agreed, looking around the room for anyone of importance. “Although the table settings could use an upgrade.”
“I like the flowers,” Robyn inserted before I could say anything. “The mixture of thistles with greenery is really pretty. Just the right touch for the space.”
“I think so too,” I said, with a glare for my mother. At that moment, a server arrived at our table with a basket of warm bread, a variety of dipping oils, and took our drinks orders. Once that had been sorted, my father leaned in to speak to my mother, and I took the opportunity to turn to Robyn.
“I apologize for whatever my parents have dragged you into. To be clear, this is my girlfriend’s restaurant. She is the head chef.”
“Oh, Munroe. You don’t have to worry about that…” Robyn reached out and squeezed my hand. At that moment, Lia came out of the kitchen, her eyes immediately zeroing in on where I leaned into Robyn with her holding my hand. I froze, unsure if I would look more guilty pulling my hand away or acting like this was nothing, and by the time I came to a decision, Lia’s gaze was already dancing past us to the crowded room.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Lia said when the restaurant quieted down after someone had dinged a glass. “I’m honored to cook my food for you this evening. We’re creating something very special here, and I’m delighted you could be the first to join us. As you’ll see from the menu, not only are we offering some traditional favorites, but I’ve also had fun with creating a twist on those same favorites. Feel free to choose as many as you like, as for tonight, we’ll serve the dishes tapas style so you can have a taste of everything. Enjoy!”
Applause broke out, and when Lia looked back at me once more, I blew her a kiss and then held my hands to my heart. A smile broke out on her face, and I hope I had assuaged any worry she may have over Robyn before she ducked behind the greenery wall and went back to her kitchen. There was nothing else I could do at this moment, as I knew I’d only be a distraction if I tried to talk to her now.
Soon, dishes were whisked out by the servers, and I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on other tables and what they were saying about the food. As this was the first time that Lia had cooked for me, joy flooded me when I finally tasted her food.
It wasn’tjustgood.
These dishes wereexcellent.
There was no way even my parents could find fault with it. Instead of going exceedingly fancy with the food, something I was certain Lia would be capable of if she so chose, she’d taken simple food and elevated it with an elegant and artful twist. My heart was almost bursting out of my chest with pride for her.
“I could eat the entire bread basket myself,” Robyn observed. “Let alone all of these dishes. I mean…tacos? A woman after my own heart.”
