He looked mystified “why wouldn’t I? It’s not much fun if you don’t eat” he added confused.
I smiled. This was rather unusual for me. I glanced down at the menu again, turning it to look at the back. “I think I’ll try the eggplant parmigiana with cashew cream sauce and roast vegetables,” I told him, almost salivating at the thought of it.
He raised a brow and then considered it. “You know what, I think I’ll have the same” he decided, nodding his head “it sounds delicious” he added.
My mouth almost dropped open. “You don’t have to, I don’t mind if you choose a dish with meat” I protested.
He chuckled “Honestly, eating a vegetable dish for one night won’t kill me. I’m curious about the dish and I want to try it” he shrugged “would you like some wine with it? Can you have wine?” he asked.
“Unless it’s stated as being vegan, then most wines aren’t” I told him reluctantly, eyeing the drinks section.
“This one says it’s vegan” he pointed out “we’ll get that one.”
The hostess came back up to take our orders and Grayson took charge, ordering the drinks and food while I sipped at the water at our table. The hostess looked surprised by the order but also pleased. “Good choice” she said nodding at me “the eggplant parmiagana is to die for” she added “and that wine is delicious, I’ve had both” she told me and I grinned.
“Perfect, I look forward to it.”
Grayson leaned forward and took my hand, tenderly massaging it. “I think I need to reiterate it, in case I didn’t make my point the first time” he told me as I stared at him, my mouth going dry as his touch sent shivers down my spine “you look like a goddess tonight and I’m a very lucky man to have you as my date.”
Johnathon POV
Charlotte sauntered confidently to the front of the line. As usual, she was stunning, clad in a tight dress that showed off her impressive cleavage, and had a slit to show off her long legs. It was daring, it was bold and it showed her figure off to perfection. I could see the looks of envy from other men as they stared at her, and I puffed out my chest, feeling smug as I held her hand. I was a lucky bastard. Flair had never pulled this kind of attention before, being more of an introvert, but then again, I never really liked to take her places either. She never asked it of me, not like Charlotte who constantly insisted on going out and socializing.
The hostess gave Charlotte a slow smile. “Welcome to the Gilded Lily, how may I help you?” she asked.
Charlotte flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave the woman a haughty look. “Don’t you know who I am?” she demanded.
“Of course Miss Deluca” the woman apologized “Forgive my rudeness. Are you wanting a table for two?” she asked sweetly.
Charlotte’s jaw dropped. She seemed incredulous. The hostess looked confused. She was a mature lady who looked very polite and sweet. Charlotte gathered herself “Excuse me” she screeched, causing the poor hostess to wince at the shrillness of her voice “But I am a Deluca. I demand a VIP room” she snarled.
The hostess looked apologetic “I am very sorry Miss Deluca but the VIP room is already in use. We do have a room we could use for you next door to it if it suits you. I could organize the waiters to set up a table for you and it would be nice and intimate” she suggested hopefully.
Charlotte looked fit to burst. Her cheeks swelled, her chest pushed out and she opened her mouth with deliberate emphasis “I don’t care who is using the VIP room, tell them to get out” she snapped.
The hostess quietly shook her head “I apologize Miss Deluca but the VIP Room was reserved and the guests are important to us. We cannot turf them out, simply because you ask it. Would you like the room next door?”
Charlotte’s eyelid was twitching. I didn’t think she had ever been told no by a restaurant before. “There is nobody more important than a Deluca” she hissed at the woman “are you trying to tell me you won’t make them leave?”
“That’s exactly it” the hostess said quietly, looking a little frustrated by the situation “but I am happy to offer you the small room next to it.”
“Get me your manager” she screamed.
The hostess sighed “I am the manager” she said slowly “and the owner. Now you can have the room next door” she said speaking to Charlotte as though she was a simple idiot “or you can sit downstairs with the rest of the diners. It’s entirely your choice.”
Charlotte stomped her foot and I stepped in. “The other room would be perfect,” I told the hostess quickly.
She nodded and disappeared to tell the waiters to set the room up. I turned to Charlotte “Calm down. It’s a small inconvenience, who cares if we’re in a different room” I tried to persuade her.
She looked at me indignantly “I care” she growled “I have never been treated so poorly in my life” she sulked.
Oh boy. I could feel myself sighing again. It was going to be a long evening. I loosened my collar as the hostess came back with a forced smile on her face. “Your room is ready, if you will follow me” she instructed.
Charlotte flattened her lips and mutinously followed the woman upstairs while I followed behind. As we passed the VIP room, Charlotte tried the door, causing the hostess to turn around and glance at her sharply.
“Madam, if you insist on disturbing the privacy of my diners, I will have no choice but to have security escort you out, regardless of whether you are a Deluca.”
Charlotte let go of the knob, glaring at the hostess, put her nose in the air, and followed her to the room next door. The hostess ushered us in. The room was tiny, with a table and chairs. The hostess had made an effort to set the table nicely and there were candles flickering in the room. There was a nice bottle of wine sitting next to a pretty centerpiece and menus on the table. It was very intimate but Charlotte looked oblivious, sitting down in her chair with a scowl on her face. I swear I saw the hostess roll her eyes.
“I will send a waiter up to take your orders,” the hostess said serenely, quickly turning on her heel and leaving.
“Well this is nice and cozy isn’t it?” I said to Charlotte, shrugging out of my jacket and sitting down, trying to cheer her up.
She glared at me “I’ve never been so humiliated in my life, being denied the VIP room. We should go and see who is in there” she hissed “and make them leave.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.