Page 52 of Wreck My Mind

“No need to get up.” Cait recovered balance of the silver-lidded platters in each of her palms. “What can I get for you?”

“Sorry, lost my appetite,” Leo grumbled, weaving past her as he headed inside.

“I’ll grab it in the crew mess,” Coop said to Kai before he could set down his platter. “Keep it warm.”

I turned to watch Coop toss his napkin to the table before stalking off the opposite direction. I would’ve gone after him if Cait hadn’t been blocking my escape. She set a tray in front of me, unveiling an artistically plated lobster and striploin combo.

“Tonight Chef Anders has prepared for you prime cuts of A5 Wagyu,” Cait recited, as she’d done many times to full tables of upper-echelon business associates, diplomats, and A-listers. Despite the sophistication of our typical clientele, Cait had seen her fair share of drama and knew to power through as if none had occurred.

“In harmony with the three-year-old virgin Matsusaka, we have fresh caught lobster. Unfortunately, no shellfish for you, of course,” Cait emphasized politely as she set down Thea’s platter.

“You too?” Thea huffed, chucking her napkin before leaving the table.

Cait’s eyes cut to mine and I shrugged, then smiled to let her know none of this was her fault. Nor was it mine. I refused to feel guilty for having shared Thea’s food allergy with the chef and chief stew, but it had made this evening a hell of lot more awkward.

Nik gazed forlornly at the delectable plate Kai had placed in front of him then cursed. He muttered his apologies before tossing his napkin into the ring and chasing after Thea.

Cait scanned the abandoned dinners laid out perfectly upon the elegant table setting. As she realized I was the only one left, we locked eyes. Hers were wide with confusion. I had no idea what mine must’ve looked like. I just knew the what-the-fuck creases between them had to be deep and I needed another drink.

“I honestly don’t know what wine pairs best with a virgin Japanese cow… Wait, is slut-shaming cows really a thing now?”

“Apparently,” she said, choking on a laugh. “We can try to keep all this warm, if you want to wait for everybody?”

Cait had gone above and beyond to impress me with the beautiful spread. One which, no doubt, had been upgraded due to my last-minute arrival. As much as I wanted to chase after Coop, I couldn’t do that to her. “Not a chance. I’m starving. Let’s eat!”

Titan pounced on the opportunity, literally. His front paws slapped down on the tabletop as he set to mauling Nik’s slab of Wagyu.

I waved off Cait’s attempt to remove him from the table and said, “I’ll have a glass of your finest Cab and my date here will have chilled Voss in a bowl of artisan ice, please.”

We both looked over at Titan, paws slipping on the table as he leaned in deep, already going for the lobster. “Your date is very…fetching.”

I cracked up, laughing way too hard. I schooled my breath enough to declare, “It’s been a ruff night.”

“Bone appetit!”

---