manager, and we will do our best to accommodate you and your husband.”
I whipped out my cell and opened my group chat with the guys.
Jim: Hey, get your asses up and switch with us.
Alex: What the hell are you doing to that waiter?
Collin: What the hell are you doing, period?
Jim: Just do it. We don’t have enough room for the food at this small table in the middle of the room.
Alex: Unless you’re making a move on that chick, bring her to our table with us.
Jim: I’m not going to intimidate a woman I hardly know with your ugly mugs, watching her eat. We take the best seat in this place every time we eat here. Just do her a favor.
Collin: Her or you? Jim is just horny after Jules made the moves on him.
“Are you and your friends finished working out the eating arrangements?” Her voice interrupted our lame-ass banter. “Yes.” I rose. “Follow me.”
An extremely formfitting dress showed her well-shaped, muscular legs and wrapped tightly around her breasts, which were pressed together, pronouncing a cleavage that could only make me drool at this point.
“This is Collin and Alex.” I introduced the guys, eying them, and as the casual guys they were, they were trading tables with us like we were at a diner and not a five-star restaurant.
“Didn’t catch your name.” Alex arched a brow at my lack of proper behavior.
“I’m Avery.” She shook her head. “And I have no idea what’s going on.”
Collin grinned and took her hand next. “Make that four of us.” He eyed me. “I don’t think Jim knows what’s going on either, and he’s orchestrating this incident.”
“These two are friends of mine, Avery. Forgive me if I mentioned how you and I met onboard the plane without your permission.”
“Why would you think you had to apologize for telling a story about a crazy lady on a plane?” She smirked, and I could quickly tell the guys were captivated by the amiable and appealing nature of the woman—and those damn blue eyes. “I’m flattered that my story made it to your highlight reel.”
Alex eyed me and smiled. “Nice catch,” he mouthed from where he stood behind the woman with a subtle thumbs up.
Once the staff turned our parade of chaos into a graceful situation that wouldn’t disturb their customers, Avery and I were seated, and a candle was lit for our table.
“I almost forgot,” Avery said, placing the napkin in her lap and smiling at me. “It’s our anniversary dinner. I hope you plan to order the entire dessert side of the menu as well. You know I like variety.”
“If you keep smiling at me like that, you’ll get anything you want from me.” Fuck. Did I just say that? Out loud?
“Is that so, Jim?” She hung onto my name in some taunting, yet suggestive way. “You’re not actually going to order the entire damn menu, are you?”
“Language, darling,” I said while the waiter approached. “We’ll be enjoying the entire dessert menu tonight as well.”
The man’s lips pinched together in humor. “Excellent choice.”
“My wife always makes excellent choices,” I said, to which Avery’s expression darkened some.
“What’s with you?” she questioned. “Seriously. All of this. You are ordering everything off the menu and moving your friends out from their seats—I’m not sure I’m getting any of this.”
“Well, I saw a beautiful woman sitting alone. I remembered her well from our flight together. I also find her attractive, and I couldn’t imagine her dining alone tonight. Am I at fault for taking advantage of a situation with a beautiful woman left alone?”
Her lips twisted, and her eyes narrowed. “I’ll give you that,” she conceded. “I’ll also not be a total bitch and refuse your generosity because you keep telling me how beautiful I am.” She said the last part with a certain kind of sassy sarcasm that I adored. “The married part, though?”
“Yeah, I guess that was a bit over the top.”
“Well, I pinned you as a stiff lawyer or something like that.” She took another sip of wine, “It turns out, you’ve got an interesting sense of humor too.”
“It’s dry humor, but it works at times.” I smiled and sipped my new glass of bourbon.
“Well, it worked tonight. I appreciate the company. I’ve had a bit of fun touring London on the two days my sister had off to spend with me, and now I’m pretty much enjoying the historical sites alone. So, running into a friend who helped me with my idiot ex on