Page 36 of Now Streaming

“So fancy, babe. You have no idea.”

They walked further down the street, losing some of the crowd but still surrounded by signs of the convention. Finally, he stopped in front of a high-end restaurant, the hostess at her stand outside on the sidewalk. At the sight of the sign, Min stopped in her tracks, yanking Hayden back to her.

“Hayden, this is Insatiable.”

“Yeah?” He kept walking toward the hostess, and once again Min was dragging him back.

“This place is Michelin rated. It’s one of the best restaurants in the city. In California.”

The infuriating man just winked at her. “Hope they have good tacos.”

Through the windows, Min could see that the majority of the patrons inside were wearing suit jackets, the women in skirts and heels. Min looked down at her T-shirt and ripped jeans, then back up at Hayden.

“I think I’m underdressed.”

“Maybe everyone in there is just over-dressed.”

“Try telling them that.”

“Happy to.”

He strode up to the hostess, still dragging her along, and Min cringed as she anticipated the setdown the hostess was about to give them for their lack of dress code.

But instead, the hostess looked up and beamed at them. “Hayden? I thought I saw your name on our books.”

“Hey Jenny, it’s good to see you.”

“Glad you’re here. He’s been in a mood.”

Hayden chuckled. “Was the farmer’s market out of Brussel sprouts again?”

“Strawberries. Had to change his entire salad concept.” She matched his grin.

“My god, I’m surprised he even opened.”

“It was touch and go. C’mon, let’s get you seated.”

Jenny led them into the restaurant, and Min couldn’t help but whisper to Hayden.

“Hayden, what the fuck?”

“What?”

They were at their table before she could demand answers. The table they were given was tucked away in the back of the restaurant. No windows near them, but still beautiful, away from the main area of the restaurant and therefore definitely more private.

Hayden pulled out a chair for her, tucking her in before sitting next to her. Jenny handed them menus and left with a wink. Hayden turned to Min, who hadn’t even bothered to open her menu yet, just gaped at him.

His mouth quirked at the corner. “Are you okay?”

“We are in one of the best restaurants in the state. A restaurant that books months ahead of time, especially for Kickoff, and we just walked in, ignoring the dress code, with you flirting with the hostess.”

“I was not flirting with Jenny. She’s managed this place for years, so I know her. And she’s good at her job.”

“You were flirting. And she was flirting with you.”

“Minerva, this may be hard for you to grasp but some women simply find me charming.” He was teasing her, but Min still couldn’t wrap her brain around anything.

“Hayden, what the hell is going on?”

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