Page 48 of Sparks Fly
“Well.” I shake my head softly. “You learn something new every day.”
“That you do,” Rue says as she links her arm through mine and we move towards the restaurantLe Train Bleu.
I feel so hungry. It had been a long day, and I know I have eaten far too much but I still felt famished.
They greet Creed like they know him and lead him over to a table tucked at the back of the restaurant and I see three other gentleman sitting there. Two are a little older, maybe the same age as Creed, and a younger man who I recognised but I couldn’t put my finger on who he was.
“Lexington.” One of the older guys stands up and shakes his hand, then gives me and Rue a smile. Creed shuffles in and claps his hand into the other guys before greeting the younger man.
“Luke, Zach.” He turns his attention to me and Rue. “This is Anaïs and Rue, you may recognise Anaïs, she used to date Royce.” I swallow when they exchange knowing looks. “Rue is Anaïs’ friend, I took the liberty of inviting them tonight, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course we don’t. Anaïs, it’s nice to formally meet you,” Zach says and holds his hand out for me to shake, which I do. Luke is already shaking Rue’s hand and then we switch.
“You too,” I address both of them and then take my seat next to Creed, Rue sits next to me.
“How rude of me.” Creed sighs, holding his hand out in the direction of the young man sitting opposite us. “This is Griffin Montgomery, he drives for Montcroix, Zach is the team principal, and Luke is the CEO.”
“Ah, nice to meet you.” I extend my hand, which he takes gladly but ends up bringing the back of it to his lips as he kisses it then repeats on Rue.
“Likewise.” He smiles as he picks up his menu.
“Okay if I order wine to the table?” Luke asks.
Creed holds both of his hands up, giving him the go ahead. My eyes are on the menu, and I am already getting panicky about how I am going to afford to pay for this. Creed clocks my expression straight away and I feel his hand slip onto my leg.
“All okay?” he says quietly, his voice low.
“Yeah, just checking the menu out.”
“Order whatever you and Rue would like, it’s on Montcroix.” He winks, patting my leg before his hand is back on the table, fingers pinched at the edges of the menu.
“I can pay for me and Rue.”
“No, you do not put your hand in.”
“But—”
“No buts, Ace. It’s not on you.”
I swallow down the nerves. Rue catches me and I just shake my head.
“Yes, that’s fine, Luke.” He smiles, his eyes back down on the menu.
A waiter appears at Luke’s side and they have a small conversation in French before Luke is ordering.
“We will take two bottles of theDom Perignon ‘Vintage’ 2008,please.” The waiter nods. “Then, once that is finished, please bring aChâteau Minuty Cuvée 281.”Luke pauses ashis finger trails down the menu. “And aChassagne-Montrachet L.Pillot.”He closes the wine menu. “And a couple of bottles of water for the table, please.”
The waiter smiles and scoops the excess wine glasses from the table, then disappears.
I slip my phone from my bag and re-arrange the menu slightly and taking a close-up photo of the restaurant. Their eyes are on me and I give them an awkward smile.
“I work in social media… I was just going to pop this on my story.” My voice is quiet.
“Go ahead,” Zach says, his head bowing slightly. “Just don’t get us in any, we’re rivals, after all.” He winks and Creed and Luke chuckle, Griffin gives a smirk.
“No problem at all, I understand.” I wink back and go back to posting on my story.
We all toast to the upcoming season and Rue and I sit and listen as the guys all fall into conversation, talking amongst ourselves.
