Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,6
me. “Honestly, I’m only naturally good with names of people who’ve made an impression on me, be it good or bad.”
She crossed her arms over the strapless top of the dress she wore. “And you remember mine because of which? Did I make a good or bad impression?”
“How could a woman as lovely as you possibly make a bad impression on anyone?” I smirked, only because this woman was amusing me with her rigid body language and charming facial expressions. “May I ask why you are here alone?”
“My sister’s meeting got held over.” She smiled. “She’s a busy girl, so I can’t blame her, and I won’t. I’m here on her paycheck, not mine.”
I wasn’t going there with money or jobs. That was too personal, although I was curious. I hadn’t forgotten the daughter she’d mentioned on the plane, or her asshole ex who was going to fight her to the death for custody. Obviously, I had only one side to this story, so it was better to remain silent about it. The guy did sound like a fucking dickhead on the phone, though, and I was pretty good about reading people.
“A shame.” I smiled and glanced down the menu. “What are you up for tonight?”
“Um.” She pinched her lips together and squinted her eyes in humor. “I’m so hungry I could eat the entire menu if you want to know the truth.”
“I’d like to see that.” I grinned.
“I’m dead serious,” she said, catching my attention with her lowered tone.
I licked my lips and caught my bottom lip with my teeth. “You’re serious?” I leveled her with a gaze, trying to maintain my composure and not laugh.
“Dead serious.” She leaned her crossed arms up on the table and smirked. “I can’t afford more than an appetizer at this place. My sister is paying for the meal.” Her eyes scanned the ceiling and back to me. “And this fifty-dollar-a-plate restaurant was her idea and not mine. So she’s paying up, but if it were up to me, I’d be at some restaurant near the attractions I was enjoying touring alone and be just as happy.”
“You do realize that even those terrace eateries can be quite costly, especially when you’re out alone, and someone takes advantage of your purse, correct?”
“I know the rules.” She arched a brow at me, her irises captivating me further. “I keep my passport hidden behind zippers and my cash separate in my wallet.”
“Yeah?” I said, not really remembering what the hell we both were talking about.
“My point is,” she took a sip of her Chardonnay, “I’m going to eat small here and go pig out somewhere else.”
The woman was petite, but with strong, muscular arms. I couldn’t imagine her putting away a lot of food as she was suggesting with this menu. The waiter arrived, and I decided not to question it further.
“We’ll take two bottles of your finest wine,” I said and then smiled at her challenging grin. “And it looks like the chefs will be busy tonight.” I folded the menu and handed it to him. “We’ll take everything they’re cooking off the menu tonight as well.”
The waiter’s eyes widened. “Sir,” he said. “We will need to move you to another table for that. Our tables are reserved—”
I pointed to where Alex and Collin sat at our usual larger-than-most table in the corner of the restaurant, surrounded by windows instead of walls. “Those two are my colleagues, and they’ll gladly take this table and offer theirs up for the lovely lady and me.”
“Sir.”
I smiled at the man. “I know this is completely out of the norm for you, young man,” I said. “However, the tip will be fine and should help with the drinks you buy all of your friends at the pub tonight when you find yourself telling them about the crazy man asking to switch tables with other guests.”
He chuckled while Avery cleared her throat. “You’re not doing any of that,” she said. “I’ll just take the fish.”
“I have to disagree with my lovely wife,” I said, watching her eyes bulge at the statement. “You see, it’s our fifth anniversary, and we chose to come to London. I’ve had reservations since last year for this place. I also am fortunate to know those men enjoying a table that is quite frankly too large for them. Being at this place was the reason London made my lovely bride’s bucket list, and I hate to disappoint her.”