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The hostess led us through the dining area, which was filled to capacity, while I buried my face in Steven’s armpit.
He chuckled. “Relax. No one we know will be here. They can’t afford it.”
“Oh yes, they can. The CEO, for one. Then the chair, other directors, other board members.”
“John knows about us, but he would never say anything. And everyone else who can afford this place is at home with their families.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep. I had Mrs. Barnes check with their assistants. Plus, I paid the manager to show me the reservation list. We’re safe.”
We walked past the live band playing the top hits of the year. Every table in the restaurant was full of people dressed in designer ensembles. “How did you get a reservation at the last minute?”
“I called a couple on the reservation list and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.”
“Youthreatenedthem?” I slapped his arm.
He threw his head back and laughed. “I guess that would have been cheaper. But no. They’ll be spending a one-week holiday in the Bahamas. If we didn’t have to be back at work on Monday, I would have whisked you away to an isolated island so that you couldn’t run away again.”
“I’m not going to run away.” At least not tonight.
We entered a private dining room, and the hostess closed the door as she left. I looked around at all the decorations and streamers. Above us, there was a net holding hundreds of champagne-colored balloons to the ceiling. A string attached the net to a lever with a timer on it. Three hours to go.
Steven opened the door to the balcony.
He reached out his arm and waited for me to take his hand. We stepped out onto the private balcony. Stars twinkled above us. The balcony was huge, bigger than my apartment. To get to the railing, we passed a bistro table, two chairs, and one enormous sofa.
We stood hand in hand, looking out at the city that was breaking out into parties on every street, listening to the loud cheers and honking cars below.
Steven turned to me and took my face in his hands. “You’re magnificent, Laura.” He leaned down and placed his lips on mine, warming them from the chill of the winter breeze.
Soon after, we held each other in a tender embrace and just breathed…together. Enjoying each other’s presence. Our hearts connecting as one. Our souls joining together.
Was it a mistake to come back? It would be even harder to leave tomorrow.
After the main course, the server topped up our champagne glasses and laid out some chocolate delights. “Will there be anything else, sir? The countdown will begin shortly.”
“No, that’s all. We don’t want to be disturbed again.” Without looking at the man, Steven waved his hand dismissively. “We have everything we need.”
“Very good, sir.”
I smiled politely at the server. “Thank you very much. Everything was wonderful.”
“Thank you, miss.” He returned a nervous smile while looking sideways at my date. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He scurried out, closed the door behind him, and locked it.
“Why did he lock the door?”
“Here’s my plan,” he said, completely ignoring my question. “Listen carefully. And know that it is non-negotiable.”
I gulped, not wanting to talk about this now. I wanted to keep pretending that we were a normal couple and that everything was fine.
“You,mon étoile, will go back to work as the intern for the CFO.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but Steven put up his hand. “Remember, this is non-negotiable. As I was saying, you return to your job and I, on the other hand, will quit mine and—”
“NO!” I jumped up from my seat. “No. No. No. I knew it. I knew your plan would be shit. This is insane. There was only one solution, and you stopped me. I shouldn’t have listened to you.”
“Laura, beautiful, please sit down and let me finish. I haven’t even gotten to the best part, yet.”
