Page 15 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“I like filet mignon,” I restate as I give her a knowing look. Her smirk grows and she looks back at the road.

“Have you always lived in Storyview Falls?” I ask.

She nods. “Born and raised. You?”

I shake my head. “Not always,” I say, deciding I don’t want to rehash my life details.

“Do you like it here?” she asks.

“I do. It’s…pleasant,” I answer.

She laughs. “Pleasant? It’s not a cup of coffee or a nice breeze.”

I chuckle. “Fine, I like it. But I also like the city and I like to travel.”

“Where have you traveled to?” she asks as I pull into a parking spot in front of the restaurant that’s on Main Street.

“Oh, here and there. I spent some time in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and Asia,” I state.

“Wow. That’s an impressive list,” she says with a sad smile.

“Have you traveled?” I ask as I open my door and quickly walk around to get hers, but she beats me to it.

“Nope,” she says, shutting her door.

I look down at her. Fuck. Why does she look so familiar? It’s weirding me out. I’m about to ask her if she’s sure we haven’t met before when I see her shiver.

“Let’s get you inside. It’s cold out here,” I say as I place my hand on the small of her back and usher her inside.

“Chase, good to see you,” Max says as we enter. Max knows everyone. Probably because he has the best pub in town, and everyone eats here. Max turns toward Ella, and his eyes widen a little when he sees my hand on her back. “Oh, hi, Ella.” He clears his throat to cover his surprise.

“Hi, Max,” Ella replies, pressing her lips together in what looks like an attempt to stifle a laugh. Well, Ella and I do know some of the same people. I suppose we do really need a good story. We’re going to have to come up with something tonight.

“Well, you’re in luck. I have your favorite booth available,” Max offers with one outstretched hand toward a booth as he grabs menus from the hostess who has yet to have a chance to jump into this conversation and welcome us.

He leads us to the booth in the far corner with a view of Main Street.

“Would you like to hear the specials?” he asks once we are seated.

I nod and Max rattles off several delicious-sounding meals and then leaves us to peruse the menu.

“Thanks, Max,” Ella calls to him as he leaves. Her smile is warm and friendly. How can she be so happy? She cleans houses and lives above a garage.

“What? No filet?” she asks with a grin as she peers at me from over her menu.

Jesus, her grin is infectious. “There is a filet,” I state as I turn her menu and point.

“Oh, well, someone will be happy, then,” she says.

“I’m actually thinking about that Chilean sea bass special,” I tease.

She leans forward, putting her menu flat on the table. “You do know that it’s called a Patagonian toothfish, right?”

I laugh. “I did know that.”

“Seriously, have you seen them? They are so creepy looking,” she whispers as if the ugly fish will appear at the table just from her dissing it.

“So I’ve heard,” I state as I set my menu down. I nod toward her menu. “What are you having?”

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