Page 59 of By Sin To Atone

He gets out of the car and comes to my side to open my door. I climb out, clear my throat and tug my sweater closer. I take my tote with me.

He gestures to the entrance and when we reach it, a uniformed attendant opens the door. Soft piano music plays inside, the lighting a gentle, golden glow and tables set with sweeping white tablecloths and more silverware than I know what to do with.

The hostess glances at me, her resting bitch face firmly in place. When she looks up at Zeke, she rearranges her features, smiling wide, blinking what must be ten pounds of fake eyelashes at him. I want to roll my eyes.

“Table for two. Something private.”

“Do you have a reservation, Mr…” she trails off.

He gives her a smile. “No, but I’m sure you can find room for us.” He peers at her nametag. “Carly.”

“Of course, sir.” She gathers two menus along with a wine card. Zeke puts his hand at my lower back to nudge me to follow Carly as she exaggeratedly wiggles her curvy little ass—another eyeroll—all the way across the restaurant to the farthest table in the corner. I take in the layout, noting the restrooms are down a corridor which might lead to an exit. “Will this do, sir?” Carly asks.

“Perfectly.”

He pulls my chair out and I sit. Carly doesn’t spare me a glance as she leans deeply and holds the menus out to Zeke, her perky boobs almost popping out of her dress.

“We won’t need those. We’ll take two steaks, rare, and a bottle of?—”

“Are you ordering for me?” I ask, interrupting.

He looks at me, eyebrows raised, and nods.

“Maybe I can have a look at the menu. Since it’s 2024 and all.” The last part I mutter as I pluck one of the menus out of Carly’s hands and open it. Good thing they can’t see my face over the top because the prices are insane. Everything is expensive. Even the chicken. Who pays that much for chicken? And I don’t even know what some of the things are, so I close it and clear my throat.

“Yes. Steak for me too. Make mine well done, Carly,” I say, holding the menu out to her. I smile wide as her lips curve downward in the corners. I’ll eat dinner, then go to the bathroom while he pays the check. Slip out then.

She looks at the menu, then at Zeke, who nods. I didn’t think I needed permission to order my dinner but okay.

“And a big plate of fries with extra ketchup.” I turn to Zeke. “I’m not sharing. You’d better get your own.”

He gives me a look but seems amused. “No fries for me. Bring her a vegetable too, will you? Steamed broccoli, I think.”

I curl my lip although I don’t mind broccoli. Carly takes the menus and Zeke orders a bottle of red.

“That’s a lot of food,” he says once Carly’s gone.

“You’re the one who ordered the broccoli.”

“You need something green.”

“Thanks for looking out for me. And, well, if you’re paying, I may as well eat. Do you know how much a steak here costs?” I ask, looking around, taking in all the diners in their fancy clothes.

I tug the sleeves of my sweater down. I don’t belong here.

“Does it intimidate you?”

“Hm? What?” I ask, turning to him.

“Does this place intimidate you?”

“No, I just think it’s a waste. You can buy groceries for three weeks on the cost of one dinner and you don’t have to deal with women like Carly. Although maybe you like women like Carly.”

“Actually, I find them boring.”

“Also that whole ordering for me? Seriously, do you get dates? Ever? Acting like that?”

“You’d be surprised.” He takes a sip of water. “And you need red meat. Your iron’s low.”

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