London Dynasty (The Dynasties #1) - Geneva Lee Page 0,43

he turned on a side street near Covent Garden. “It’s sort of hidden, but it’s incredible. You take it to go and then you just wander around and get lost.”

“That sounds magical,” I murmured, wondering what it was like to go places. I’d imagined Venice and so many other cities, it sometimes felt as if I’d been there. But I’d only seen them on television and in magazines.

“I’ll take you there,” he said instantly.

“Now?” I asked.

“I’m sure they’d be closed before we got there. Someday, though, when you least expect it, I’ll throw you over my shoulder and whisk you away to eat pasta.”

It was strange to plan a future for someone else. Every decision I made would affect Kerrigan’s life. When I’d agreed to the arrangement, I worried that I might accidentally ruin her life by making a poor choice. Now, I envied the life I was creating for her. She would be the one to wander Venice with Spencer’s favorite pasta. Not me. She would crawl into his bed every night. I was just a stand-in.

“You’re quiet,” he noted, breaking into my thoughts, as he pulled up to a valet stand.

I forced a bright smile. “I was just trying to decide my favorite food.”

“Okay.” He studied me for a moment as if he didn’t believe me, before getting out of the car.

An attendant opened my door a moment later, and before I was on my feet, Spencer was at my side, taking my hand as the attendant got behind the wheel of the McLaren.

“So what did you decide?” he asked me as we walked toward the entrance of the restaurant.

“I don’t think I’ve found mine yet,” I said. “At least, part of me hopes I haven’t because that means I get to keep looking.”

His head tilted, a curious smile spreading across his face. “I like that answer. How about we start looking for it together?”

He gestured to the sign hanging over the restaurant that read Jardin Fiore. The outside was far from impressive, simply another place to eat it seemed. The only clue that suggested otherwise, up to this point, was the presence of valet parking. As soon as we stepped foot inside, everything changed. It was as if we’d stepped through a magical portal and been transported into an enchanted garden. We proceeded under an ivy-covered arch into the dining room where flowering branches hung from the ceiling, dangling their blossoms romantically over tables with white-linen cloths and plush leather chairs. On the far side of the room, a fireplace crackled giving a warm glow to the room, the only other light coming from candles placed strategically around the space.

“I feel like I just went through the wardrobe,” I said with awe.

“Narnia has more snow, I think.”

“Mr. Byrd, we have your table waiting,” a host said, two large, leather-bound menus in her arms.

We followed her across the room quietly. The whole place reminded me a bit of being in a library. There was a sort of hushed reverence in the room as if every soul there had lowered their voice to a whisper out of respect. A small table, tucked in the corner, next to the hearth, waited for us.

“I was going to ask if you’ve been here before,” Spencer said as we took our seats, “but judging from your reaction, I think I have my answer.”

I accepted a menu from the girl and thanked her. “I’m glad the first time was with you.” Spencer’s eyes sparkled in the firelight at my choice of words, and I blushed. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” he said with mock solemnity, before adding, “but I think you’ll be glad that the first time is with me no matter the occasion.”

I reached for my water with shaking hands and took a quick drink. I suddenly wondered if sitting so close by the fire was a good idea if he was going to insist on getting me hot and bothered.

“I’m sorry,” he said, sensing my discomfort. “I’ll behave. Would you like me to tell you what I like on the menu?”

I nodded, forcing my eyes away from his and opening mine, surprised to find a collection of both Italian and French dishes. I thought of the restaurant’s name, a curious mix of both languages.

“The Foie Gras, obviously. I also love the risotto, and I see the venison is back on the menu. It wasn’t the last time I was here.”

I closed my menu, unable to keep up with him. “Would you