AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I snickered. “I don’t blame her. The food and baked goods are amazing.”
Hunter picked up the basket and allowed me to select a roll myself. Warmth filled my fingertips, and my mouth watered.
“Are you an adventurous eater? Or a picky eater?” Hunter probed while I popped a piece of now-buttered roll into my mouth and sighed as every bit of the treat melted on my tongue.
Ireland was right. The rolls were to die for.
“Hmmm,” I said before I swallowed. “I’m the type of girl that will eat whatever is put in front of her.” I’m not sure what possessed me to say that, but I continued, giving Hunter the answer he needed to hear, not one I gave others. “I’m a product of my youth. I learned rather quickly you either ate what they placed in front of you, whether you liked it or not, or you went hungry.”
“Shit,” he hissed. “I’m sorry, Baby girl for bringing up the past.”
I shrugged, brushing off the bad memories. I wanted to make new ones with Hunter, ones I could look back on and smile, not cry. “I’m at a point in my life when they’re all memories, Hunter. Over the years, I’ve learned what I like and don’t like.” I gestured to the plate with what I believe the waiter referred to as an Amuse-bouchée, deciding to change the subject. “Do you know whatever these things are?”
He shook his head. “I’m not a picky eater. As long as it’s good, I’m there. I know my brother-in-law. He hires the best and would never send out something he wouldn’t eat or enjoy himself. Which tells me—” he gestured to the plate— “whatever all this is, it’s going to be good.”
“Tell you what, since there are two of everything, why don’t we try them at the same time?”
Hunter nodded. “I’m down for that. Pick one.”
I picked the closest one toward me. Hunter followed and together we popped them into our mouths. I groaned. The bite-sized portions were a combination of slightly smokey and slightly salty. Followed by a sweet tangy cream and salmon.
“Damn, that was good,” Hunter muttered, picking up the next one. We continued down the pattern until we’d eaten them all.
Service was on point as well. Joseph refilled our glasses without us asking. They kept the basket of bread full as plate after plate of food was placed in front of us.
I’d never really appreciated food before. For me, it has always just been something I’d eaten to survive. Now, I understood why people considered themselves foodies. This was divine.
Since Joseph kept the drinks flowing, I was buzzed, not drunk, because I didn’t want to make an ass out of myself in front of my Viking God. I felt good and my belly was full of delicious food.
Hunter was just waiting for Joseph to bring the check, so I jumped when I saw Mack duck into the room. “Did you really ask Joseph for your check?”
Hunter nodded.
“What the fuck, bro? You trying to insult me or something?” Mack teased.
Hunter sat up. “This was a little more than dinner, Mack. I didn’t expect all this. Although we both appreciated it.”
I grinned, loving the banter between them while also agreeing with Hunter. “Everything was amazing.”
“Thank you.” Mack cocked his head at me, watching me for a moment or two, before turning his attention back to Hunter. “Don’t ever fucking insult me again by asking for the check. Got me?”
Hunter waved a dismissive hand at the other man. “What the fuck ever. I owe you.”
Mack smirked. “Paint that car I dropped off for free and we’re even.” Mack paused, rubbing his bottom lip while giving Hunter a conspiratorial look. “You’re in no condition to drive her or yourself home tonight. If you want to wait around until I’m done, I’ll take you home, or I can give you the keys to the apartment upstairs to crash for the night.”
Hunter held out his hands. “Keys.”
Mack smirked before reaching into his pants pocket to pull out the keys. “Make sure you leave it how you found it.” He dropped the ring in Hunter’s hand, who then closed his palm.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah—” Hunter grumbled under his breath as he rolled his eyes— “Send Joseph back in so I can tip him.”
Mack ducked back out while Hunter dug into his pocket to pull out his wallet. He flipped through some bills before the server came back in. When he shook Joseph’s hand, he handed over the tip.
“Thanks for tonight, Joseph.” Once our server left for the last time, Hunter glanced at me. “You okay hanging out upstairs until we sober up?”
“If it means I get to spend more time with you, then sure,” I admitted. The grin he flashed me, told him he liked my truthfulness.
Hunter offered me his hand, which I gratefully took because I was a little wobbly on my feet. “Good answer. The entrance to the apartment is outside and around the back.” He escorted me out of the restaurant and around the back.
