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After dating so many men who could barely figure out their right hand from their left, it’s reassuring to be with a man who’s so decisive.
My mother often told my sister Ciara and me, “To be in love, yes, but to find someone who can watch over you and make you feel safe—no matter how successful you are as a woman—that’s golden. Very few men will ever be able to make you feel loved and safe at the same time. When you find him, don’t let him go.”
I wonder if Bryce is the man who can love me and make me feel safe—
A hand waves in front of my face, jerking me back to the moment.
My eyes meet Bryce’s.
“You seem far away,” he says. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m jetlagged.” It’s a partial lie.
He studies me for a long beat.
Not sure he believes me, but he doesn’t press.
Good.
We arrive at Betony, which was named Restaurant of the Year three years in a row by New York Times Magazine. As usual, it’s buzzing with stylish and attractive New Yorkers looking for incredible food.
“Is this your first time here?” The waiter is already busy making sure we enjoy our experience.
“Yes,” Bryce says. “I’ve wanted to come each time I’m in New York, but never seemed to make it.”
He assumes I’ve never been to Betony.
“Actually, I’ve been here a few times,” I tell the waiter. “My sister is a lighting designer and she designed the lighting here. We were here for your opening, and we’ve come back a few times because we love the food.”
The waiter’s blue eyes widen. “Your sister designed our lighting?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve only been here a few months, but everyone keeps talking about our lighting and the creative designer behind the cool look.”
He takes our drink and food order and turns on his heel after confessing he’s going to have to tell the owners about me.
“You’re a mini celebrity.” Bryce sounds impressed as he admires the lights Ciara designed.
“My sister designed the lighting. Not me. She’s the mini celebrity,” I correct.
He levels me with an admonishing stare.
I ignore him and change the subject. “This restaurant is a gem. Growing up in Europe for a few years, transformed our appreciation of food. That’s why my sister and I love discovering little unassuming eateries where the fashionista would never be caught dead. Betony is the rare exception where style and food perfectly collide, which is why we’ve come back many times.”
“I’ll have to call on your sister when I buy my New York residence. I might also have to hire her to help us with our own lighting design at the new office.”
I regret going on so much about Ciara. I love my sister, I truly do, but she leaves men weak at the knees and I’ve never met a man who hasn’t succumbed to her charms.
He grabs my hand. “We had this discussion in Paris. You let your sister’s beauty and success overshadow yours.”
Success?
I lost my company because of a fraudster I took on as a partner, I became an escort to stay afloat, and now, I’m the main squeeze of one of the richest men in America because he pays for my services.
He looks at me with a grave expression. “You underestimate yourself.”
“I’m intimidated by my sister’s beauty, smarts, perfect body, talent, creativity, and her ability to get any man on this planet to fall head over heels for her—”
