Page 53 of Worth the Chase

“Bye forever,” I said before pulling Bells away from them and apologizing. “Sorry for that.”

She just smiled. “I love your family.”

“Well, you’re the only one.” I pouted like a child, feeling like one too.

When we reached the restaurant entrance, we were promptly asked to follow behind the hostess to a private table in the back. There was candlelight and fresh roses on the table. It was romantic as hell and perfect. I pulled out her chair for her and waited for her to sit before moving to my seat across from her… which was too damn far, if you asked me, but no one was, so I sat across from her, thinking about putting her on my lap the entire time.

A waiter appeared with two waters and a basket filled with artisan breads and crackers. “Good evening, Mr. O’Grady and Miss Sanchez. Chef Jaques would like to order for you tonight, if that’s okay with you?”

“That’s great,” I said before taking a sip of my water.

“Do either of you have any food allergies?” he asked.

“I do not,” I answered and waited for Bells to respond.

“Nope,” she said.

“Can I get you started with something else to drink?”

He looked between us, and I waited to see what Bells was going to do. If she ordered a drink, then I would as well.

“Wine?” she asked.

I nodded. “That sounds great.” I smiled before looking at the waiter. “Whatever wine would pair best with our meal.”

He nodded before disappearing.

“No menus?” Bells asked, her eyes pulled together in confusion.

“Jaques is going to send us out food. We’ll probably get more courses than we can even eat.”

She clapped her hands together, and it reminded me of Clara. “Oh, how fun. This is exciting.”

It was exciting. Jaques was a hell of a chef, and I’d let him choose food for me one other time, when I’d been here with my family. We’d all left so stuffed that we could barely walk.

The waiter was back before long, carrying a bottle of red wine from somewhere, but I wasn’t paying attention to his description because I didn’t give a shit where it was from as long as Bells enjoyed it.

He poured two small amounts into our glasses and waited for us to try it.

“This is so good,” Bells said.

The waiter grinned before filling our glasses half full and leaving the bottle between us.

“I hope it’s okay that I asked for wine,” Bells said.

I had no idea what she meant. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I’m just a little confused when it comes to you and drinking,” she said, and I was actually fucking thankful that she’d finally asked.

“I think everyone is.” I gave her a half smile.

She made a sound before adding, “Not everyone.” She enunciated the last word, and I cocked my head to the side and shot her a look. “Addi doesn’t think you have a drinking problem at all.”

That shocked the hell out of me. Addison hadn’t mentioned it.

“Really? What does she think?”

I watched as Bells leaned forward, her arms on the table like she didn’t want anyone to overhear, even though the closest couple was tables away from us.

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