Liam I’m glad Frederich came in when he did. Olivia opened up for a moment, then almost
immediately pulled back. I could feel it the moment she yanked her hand back from the
piano. It was like she’d been burned. I know she lost her mom early on, but never really
knew what it meant to her. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if my own mother passed away. I’d
be sad, obviously, but beyond that... Well, nothing comes to mind. My mom and I don’t have
the kind of warm fuzzy relationship most might assume. Frederich sets dinner on the
terrace. In the center of the round table are a white tea candle and a centerpiece made with
white and pink sweet peas from the garden. He wasn’t kidding about the sea bream with
French tarragon sauce. He only makes it when he wants to show off because the sauce is to
die for. He serves it with haricots verts, fingerling potatoes and a simple green salad with
light lemon vinaigrette. A home-baked baguette with room-temperature Bordier butter on
an elegant mini plate completes the menu. A chilled bottle of Meursault is already breathing
on the table and the sound system plays soft jazz. With the balmy air and the sun now on
the horizon and turning the sky a burnt orange, I couldn’t ask for a better setting for a first
dinner with my wife. Actually, it’s our first meal together, period. Himeko was nice, but it
was more like an easy date, nothing serious, just me trying to cheer her up. We had pizza
together a few times in college, but those were working meals because we met for group
projects for financial modeling. Plus there were other students in our group. Now, she isn’t
just in my home—she’s in my life, with a proper social status that nobody can overlook. She
says it’s only for some months, but there’s nothing in the contract saying we have to get
divorced. I intend to give her a vision of the life we can have together and convince her to
stay, starting now. I’m sure I can
change her mind. Although my parents called me superfluous, I think I’m pretty likable.
Exhilaration uncoils inside me, spreading all the way to my heart. My head starts to feel
light, like I’m already drunk, even though I haven’t had a drop of alcohol yet. I pull out a
chair for her. The sea breeze plays with her hair and caresses her radiant face. Her soft lips
are curved into a smile as she gazes at the ocean and the elegant meal. I take a seat and
serve her some wine. “Did you choose the wine?” I shake my head. “Frederich did.” I let
him handle tonight’s dinner. He’s never failed any of us. “He must be a connoisseur,” she
murmurs, looking at the label. “He knows everything. And everyone. It’s his job. I mean,
technically he’s our parents’ butler, but he’s been taking care of all the Kingswood
properties and residences since before we were born.” Olivia blinks. “Wow. So... did I pass
the test?” “With flying colors. He likes you.” He’d like any woman who can make one of us
brothers happy. Unlike Grandmother, who mainly cares about how blue the bloodline is.
Olivia smiles. “Good. I like him too. He seems very grounded. So did you make any of the
items on the table?” “Nope. Safer that way. Apparently, my cooking isn’t fit for human
consumption. I say it can’t be harder than turning boring carbon into pretty diamonds in the
lab, but everyone disagrees.” I give her a mock pout. She chuckles, the sound surprisingly
relaxed and triumphant... then suddenly stops. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “Like
what?” “Like you’re... thinking about something de ep.” She narrows her eyes. “Are you
plotting something behind my back?” Her voice is teasing, but her eyes are a little too
focused. “No.” I laugh. “I was thinking about that time back in college when our model
crashed. You remember? The one we made for the AT&T project?” She makes a face. “Oh
my God, don’t remind me. That was horrible. If we hadn’t been able to recover the data, I
might’ve sued Microsoft.” “I would’ve joined you and called Jeremiah.” She laughs. “Lucky
them, our models never crashed again.”
“Can’t have those engineers get in the way of getting an A.” “Nope. I’m glad none of the
other projects we did together suffered midnight crashes.” She grins, then looks down at
the Rubedo on her finger. “Anyway, don’t let a lack of culinary skill drag you down. Your
diamonds are stunning.” “I also look awesome flexing my forearms while serving food.” I
turn my cuffs up and flex for her benefit. Interest glints in her eyes. “Ten out of ten?” “Do
that again. In case I missed something.” Laughing, I flex and move my arms so she can see
them better. “Yup, ten out of ten.” Her eyes sparkle with good humor. “That more than
makes up for the lack of cooking skills.” “Thought so.” I grin. Her answering bright smile
hits me square in my heart like another of Cupid’s arrows. My mind goes blank. She takes a
bite of the sea bream. Her eyes light up with approval. “Wow. Frederich’s cooking is up
there, too.” “The man is gifted.” “Mmm.” She sighs wistfully. “What is it?” “Trying to think
of the last time I was treated to such a brilliantly put- together homey dinner.” “You didn’t
have one after... you know,” I say, trying to be circumspect about her pain. She laughs
wistfully. “You can say ‘after your mother passed away.’ I’m not that fragile.” She sniffs.
“Deena isn’t exactly the most thoughtful person, to put it mildly. She served deviled eggs
and Korean mandu at the latest formal brunch at the Whitmore house.” My jaw slackens.
“What?” “I know, right? She was so proud. And she loves to serve sparkling water in
champagne flutes. Says it ‘elevates’ them. With just a single cube of ice to ke ep them
chilled, of course.” I shudder. Good thing Frederich isn’t here to hear this, or he’d collapse
in outrage. “I’m sorry.” “Yeah. Me, too.” She eats with more enthusiasm than I expected.
“This is amazing. If I’d known you had a chef this awesome, I would’ve definitely
invited him to the wedding.” Toward the end of the meal, Frederich places a narrow
ceramic tray with six squares of chocolate dusted with cocoa powder and a few raspberries
in front of us. “Your dessert. Enjoy.” “What is it?” I ask. I’ve never seen these before. “Nama
chocolate, originating from Japan. My own recipe, however.” He puffs out his chest. “Use
your spoon or fork, please. Don’t bite into it, just put the whole piece on your tongue.” Then
he leaves as discreetly as he came. “That looks interesting.” Olivia leans forward to study
the plate. “But I’m sure it’s good.” She spoons a square and puts it into her mouth, just the
way Frederich instructed. Her jaw moves as though to chew, then immediately stills, and
she blinks. “Oh my God.” “What?” “You have to try it. This is divine.” Eyes bright, she
scoops up a square and brings it to my mouth. I open instinctively and take it onto my
tongue. It instantly begins to melt, flooding my taste buds with intense chocolate. The
texture is too soft and creamy to be ganache, but it’s incredible. My eyes meet hers, and she
flushes, like she just realized what she did. But her chin tilts up with a hint of defiance and a
so-what attitude. “Am I right or am I right?” she says. “You’re right. Heavenly,” I r eply, my
eyes still on hers. “Better hurry or I’ll eat all the pieces.” She smirks. “We can’t have that.” I
pick up a raspberry and put it into her mouth before she can scoop up more chocolate. She
gives me a sidelong glance. “Trying to distract me?” “You need your fruit.” She giggles,
then takes another square. I take one as well, but I’m too busy watching her to really eat. I
owe Frederich a huge favor for this dessert. It’s so rare to see her let her guard down and
glow the way she’s meant to. The final square vanishes into her mouth, leaving a smear of
chocolate at the corner of her lips. I lean close and kiss the spot, licking it clean. “What...?”
She sounds slightly breathless, but doesn’t pull away. “Chocolate. Didn’t want it to go to
waste,” I murmur.
Her pulse flutters in her slender throat. I pull back just slightly, but we’re still close enough
to share the air. “Time to dance, Mrs. Kingswood.” She blinks. “Dance?” “Every married
couple ought to dance after the wedding.” Her gaze goes to my mouth, then to my eyes.
Something flashes over her face, but she finally nods. “Okay. Let’s.”