Page 29 of All Yours

“Smart idea,” she said. “Sometimes it’s still hot in December. Those might be the best-looking gas logs I’ve ever seen.”

“The decorator found them,” I said, while the server poured ice water into the goblet on the table. I placed the cloth napkin in my lap, minding my manners in a fancy place.

“Well, they have great taste all the way around. This place is lovely.” Sloane took in the single candle in the middle of the table, eyes sweeping up to meet mine. Our eyes locked on each other, and I’m mesmerized by the light ease radiating from Sloane.

“I’m Tony,” the server spoke, introducing himself and breaking the spell. “I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can you start you off with drinks?”

As Sloane ordered a white wine, my phone vibrated. I took a glance at my phone to make sure a catastrophic event didn’t happen with the project. It was a text from Adrian.

You’re on a date with Sloane? When did that happen?

I ordered a random beer off the menu while scanning the room. That was quick, even by Hart Valley standards.

“Mission accomplished,” Sloane said, staring at her phone after the server left the table. “The town thinks we’re dating.”

“Yeah, I got a text. What did you get?”

“Lauren. She says, ‘OMG. You’re dating Jonah?’ like she wasn’t in the room when this fake relationship stuff started.”

I winced internally. Was this a mistake?

“Who texted you?” she asked, breaking my train of thought.

“Adrian,” I said, fidgeting with the white cloth napkin in my lap.

A crinkle cut across Sloane’s forehead. “Huh? I expected Camden. Guess we are cheating on his restaurant.”

I laughed. “Didn’t take long to get caught, did it?”

“That might be a record,” she said, studying the menu.

“It made it from this restaurant all the way to two of our friends in literal minutes. That’s crazy. Who here ratted us out?” I opened the menu and tried to not obviously check out everyone around us.

“Not sure. I spotted several people I recognize from around town when we walked through.”

“What looks good?” I asked, looking at the menu. It was time to bring this back to showing her what it would be like to date me.

“It all sounds so incredible. I want one of everything right now but would regret it later.”

The server deposited our drinks and a basket of bread on the table. The aroma of fresh baked rolls floated out of the cloth covered basket.

“And there’s the bread to fill up on before we get our food.”

“It smells so good,” Sloane said, pulling the cloth back. “To-go boxes exist for a reason.”

We ordered, and I shift into small talk hoping to remove any thoughts that the evening was only about public image.

After a spectacular dinner, Sloane sat back, face flush with wine. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”

“He’ll ask about dessert.”

“Ugh,” she groaned. “You wouldn’t eat it, and there’s no way I’m tackling that alone.”

“You sure?”

“I’ll explode.” Sloane pantomimed something blowing up.

“That’d ruin the evening,” I said.

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