Page 20 of Love Notes and Late Nights
Tyler rearranged the flowers again, which brought Harris’ attention to the formal table setting, complete with crystal water goblets and cutlery arranged by size on both sides of the plates. This was different. Ethan always employed a full staff at his mansion, but dinner usually meant barbeque on the outside deck with ordinary dishes and silverware. Harris picked up the china plate in front of him and could see his reflection.
“Fancy,” Wolf leaned in and whispered.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Harris whispered back.
“Fancy is nice,” Tyler stated.
Damn his supersonic hearing.
The swinging door to the dining room opened and a member of Ethan’s staff announced that Marshall and his guest had arrived. Conversation at the table stopped, and everyone’s head turned toward Marshall and his girl as they entered. Not surprisingly, Tyler was the first to greet her. “You must be Amy. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Tyler. Welcome.” He extended his hand, which she took, and he kissed her on both cheeks. Then he stepped back and looked at her from head to toe. “You’re absolutely stunning.”
She was slender and tall with dark blonde hair that was tied back in a high ponytail. She wore a flowery summer dress that hit her mid thigh, and she wore very little makeup.
“Thank you.” Her smile was warm and amicable. “It’s nice to meet you, as well.”
Marshall was beaming as he escorted her to the table. “Let me introduce you to the guys.”
“I feel as if I know you all already,” Amy said as she looked from one to the other. “But I can’t tell who’s who. Wait.” She held up her index finger and pointed it directly at Harris. “You’re Harris. The drummer.”
“How’d you know?”
“Your hands.”
Harris didn’t know what she meant, then realized he was tapping out a beat with his index fingers on the edge of the table. “You caught me.”
The rest of the introductions were made, and then the first course was served. It was a huge charcuterie board filled with cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and fancy crackers, and they all dug in.
While everyone made small talk, Harris noticed Wolf was eyeing a piece of cheese on the end of a toothpick. He was twirling it between his fingers like he’d never seen it before.
“What is this?” Wolf whispered to Harris.
“Cheese.”
“I know it’s cheese. But what kind?” Wolf extended the toothpick in Harris’ direction and Harris ate it.
A smile lit up Wolf’s face, and he chuckled, and that’s when Harris realized that Wolf wasn’t feeding him the cheese. He was merely showing it to him. Harris felt his cheeks heat up, but he just kept chewing. “I don’t know. Tastes expensive.”
“I feel like we’re on another planet,” Wolf whispered. “I went with Ethan when the realtor first showed him this place. I’ve been in every room in the house, but I don’t remember this room.”
“We’ve never had a sit-down dinner in here before.” Harris fingered the white tablecloth, rubbing the soft cotton between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s nice.”
“Do you like the tablecloth?” Tyler asked—again, showing off his supersonic hearing. “I got it at Nieman Marcus. Can you believe Ethan didn’t have a tablecloth?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever eaten in here before,” Ethan joked.
“Everything looks so elegant,” Amy commented, fanning her hand over the table. “I hope you didn’t do all this on my account. It’s beautiful, but I’m very organic. I’d be just as happy with a cheeseburger as I would with a filet mignon.”
“I told you!” Ethan scolded Tyler, but with that playful teasing tone the two often shared.
“Oh hush.” Tyler shooed Ethan’s words away with his hand. “Why have a chef in the kitchen if you’re gonna use a grill on the deck? Besides, this is a special occasion. Not only do we finally get to meet Amy, but it’s also a little sendoff for the tour.”
“Are you going on tour with them?” Amy asked, plucking a few grapes off the stem and popping one in her mouth.
“I have to work.” Tyler placed his hand on his chest. “I’m not just a trophy boyfriend. I have my own business.”
“Tyler’s a sought-after hairstylist and makeup artist,” Marshall explained. He ran his hand over his short buzz cut. “He convinced me to grow my hair out a little and dye it blue for last year’s Rocktoberfest.”
“Really?” Amy’s face widened with a smile. “I’d love to see a picture.”
