Page 43 of Confusing Cade
The champagne arrived with a flourish, and the server cut open the bottle with a saber, causing the liquid to spill out and a few of the other diners to look on with interest. “Is this a special occasion?” he asked.
“You might say so,” Cade replied.
“Well, we’ll take care to make sure this is a meal the two of you will not forget.”
The waiter handed us two full glasses of champagne, placed the open bottle in a chill bucket next to Cade’s seat, and said he’d give us a moment to toast before he returned with menus and information about the specials of the day. When we were alone again, Cade raised his glass.
“To the unexpected.”
I lifted my glass, the candlelight catching the pale gold of the champagne as I paused, letting the moment sink in.Unexpected? God, yes.The word felt like it was carved into the air between us. “That’s a good toast.”
Our glasses clinked, and I took a sip, savoring the smoothness of the bubbles and the way they tickled my nose. Champagne had never been a favorite, but there was a major difference between the occasional bottle and whatever this vintage was that Cade chose. This tasted like honey and peppermint mixed with sweet sugar, and it went down with a flourish.
It was a little bit like heaven.
“We can order a second bottle if you’d like,” Cade said. “I think that saber destroyed at least half of what was in there.”
“Only if it matches what we’re eating. You’re the one who knows this restaurant in and out.”
Cade placed his glass on the table. “I can ask the chef to do a four-course tasting. Would you like that?”
I nodded. “But do you have that kind of pull with the staff?”
“Sort of.” He grinned. “I guess it’s pretty clear that I’m trying to impress you.”
“Well, you already do,” I replied. “You already impress me.”
He seemed pleased to hear that, and when the server returned, they worked out a meal with wine pairings I wascertain would never appear on the menu but ended up divine. Cheese soufflé. Watermelon salad with burrata. Clam chowder. Lobster gnocchi. Pot de crème.
By the time the staff placed the coffee in front of us, I was sure I wouldn’t be able to eat for days, and the crowd in the main dining room had dwindled to about a fourth of the original size when we arrived.
“Best food you’ve ever had outside of France?” Cade asked.
“Never been there.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Really?”
“Dad planned on taking me there when I turned twenty-one, but...” I spread my hand. I didn’t need to say more. It was obvious. He never did, and we never would. “I’ll make it there someday.”
“Make sure you get outside of Paris. Then you’ll see the real France.”
“Other people have told me that too.”
“I like Nice.” He sipped his coffee. “Couple of great towns in the hills around that city. Incredible views.”
“A couple of the girls on FanZone talk about going there. One posted she went to Cannes last spring.”
He scoffed. “I’m sure you know what she was doing there.”
“Being a yacht girl was my guess.” I raised my eyebrow and gave him my best-knowing look. “I’m no dummy, Cade. I know how the world works.”
“I’m aware you made a lot of money on the platform, but that’s over now. Have you considered what you’ll do next?”
It has definitely been on my mind during the week he’s been away.For now, I had money in the bank, but I still needed to find another job.
I drank the rest of my coffee and pushed away the saucer. “You know, I have no idea what I’m going to do for a living.”
Cade studied me. “If you didn’t have to worry about money, if you didn’t have to think about bills, what would you do for a living?”
