Page 100 of The Charmer

"Why not? I like calling things like they are."

I went back to eating my remaining mussels. Funny, they tasted even better after our conversation. I hadn't realized I was carrying this fear around.

"Anything else on your mind?" Julian asked between gulping mussels down.

Ah, that was a very efficient way of eating. But I preferred to savor each one slowly. Besides, if I ate them with a fork, I could scoop up all that cheesy goodness.

"I don't know. I don't think so. Do you have anything you want to talk about?"

"No, I just want to enjoy you. That's it. That's my plan. Away from any party and anyone watching us."

Warmth filled my limbs. "It's a nice change. Okay, last mussel." I rubbed my palms together, glancing down at it.

Julian smiled. He'd already eaten all of his.

"If you want, we can order more," he offered.

"No, it's fine. I want to be able to enjoy the jambalaya. And you were right, that cheese sort of does fill your stomach quickly. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten."

"I can have them bring these to you every day at the store if you want."

My eyes bulged, and then I laughed.

"I mean it."

"You would...?" My words faded. "That's very generous of you.”

That was an understatement. Wow! He wanted to have this brought to me just because I enjoyed them?

I focused on the mussel, scooping up every last bit of the filling and then chewing slowly, closing my eyes while enjoying its flavor. I took in a deep breath and swallowed before opening them again. Julian was still looking at me intently.

"Fucking hell, woman. The way you savor things is giving me ideas."

I winked at him. "Keep them all for later."

Oliver practically burst through the door the second I put down the empty shell. He was holding a huge tray with two big plates. Was there a camera in here? How else could he tell when we were done? Maybe he spied on our conversation from the door... Nah, that wasn't possible.

He put down the tray and moved with excellent dexterity, immediately taking away the empty plates and placing the jambalaya in front of us. I drew in a deep breath. It smelled absolutely amazing.

"Thank you, Oliver," Julian said, and I realized that the man was standing still, looking at me expectantly.

He reluctantly took up the tray and nodded at us before leaving.

"What was that?" I asked Julian.

"He was waiting for your verdict."

I started to laugh. "But he's not the chef, is he?"

"No, but he's been with us for a very long time. He's very attached to the restaurant."

That spoke volumes about the way the family treated everyone working in their establishments. If people had so much loyalty, it meant they truly loved what they did.

"Just a word of warning: whatever you think, tell Oliver it's the best you've ever had." He winked. "But you can tell me the truth. Always."

I had a hunch that he wasn't simply talking about the jambalaya. And I also instinctively felt that he meant it, that whatever I told him would not be met with judgment or disdain, and that was so refreshing.

I immediately dug my fork into the jambalaya and held it up, making a whole show out of smelling it. I closed my eyes again, breathing in a few times. I was doing it for Julian's sake mostly, but also because having my eyes closed allowed me to take in aromas in a different way. Then I shoved the forkful into my mouth. My eyes flew open.

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