Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,8
the plane is a welcome surprise. I have to say thanks at least—a serious thank you—while not drunk and spilling my sad stories to you. In fact, I’m shocked that after hearing about some of the shit I go through, I’m sitting across from you at the moment. I figured you’d be the last person on the planet to entertain my sorry ass again.”
The appetizers came, and she lit up with excitement. “Enjoy some of the fine delights that England has to offer,” I said after the waiter left. “Dig in, gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous is starving,” she said, filling her plate.
I casually added a few oysters and buttered bread, and I watched as she began to eat like we were old friends. How many women had I watched pick at their plates for fear of eating in front of me? I never understood that. Were they scared to eat? Get dirty? Nervous? Who knew; it always made me feel like shit, though. I had no idea how to make them comfortable enough to eat more than a few bites of protein and maybe a vegetable.
Avery, however, was the perfect date. The entire menu was being set on our table, and she was going for it without reservation. I had never met a woman who wasn’t intimidated in front of me.
Goddamn, she was luring me in like a moth to a flame.
“What are your plans tomorrow?” I questioned.
“Well.” She swallowed. “After my sister gets the bill to this menu extravaganza that you insisted we eat, I’m most likely going home.”
“I’m paying for this dining experience as it was my idea to make up for you being left to dine alone.”
“You can’t pay for all of this.”
“I can, and I will. I insisted on this, and I must see if you can fit all of this food into that tiny little body of yours. You’re what, five-three? All of this food must weigh more than you do as it is. I’ve got to see if you’re some kind of competitive eater.”
She laughed heartily, and I loved her exuberance. “Trust me, I can throw most of it down,” she said, taking a drink of water while I forked a piece of broccoli and placed it in my mouth. “Although, I hope they do to-go boxes here. If that’s just an American thing, I’m going to be majorly disappointed.” She started buttering a slice of bread. “God dang, this food is amazing.”
“So now that I’m picking the tab up on this meal, you won’t be leaving tomorrow. Do you have plans? How long will you be in London?”
She swallowed a bite. “Planning on giving me a guided tour?”
“I visit the city often, and I don’t feel it’s safe to travel or sightsee alone.”
“And your suit tells me that you’re here for work.”
“Perhaps.”
“Well, tomorrow I’ll be eating in some cute place I spied today that everyone says is the best for breakfast food. If you’re serious about joining me on another visit to the numerous sites I’ve enjoyed visiting more than once, I’ll gladly take the company.”
“Well, it might just happen.”
She shook her head and laughed. “You must be one over-worked man. Perhaps we’re at the breakdown part of working long and hard hours?”
“You’re my wife, and we’re celebrating our anniversary, remember?”
“Good heavens, Jim—” She scrunched her face up again. “It’s Jim, right?”
“Yes.” I smiled, surprised that she was still going hard on the delicacies surrounding her. Where the hell did she keep all of this food? “If you stay in this location, I might offer up another tour that might be more insane than this fake marriage and our fine dining experience tonight.”
She set down her fork, and finally, in her private episode of Woman versus Food, it appeared food had won. “Nothing could be crazier than this night after you approached my table, Jim.”
“We’ll see. Meet me where the tours start for the Tower of London. Have you been there?”
“Twice, and I didn’t even see any ghosts from all the stories. I was really looking too,” she said with a smile.
I couldn’t hold back my laugh. “Are you one who believes in the supernatural?”
“I have a very open mind, thank you very much.”
“I can see that in you. You definitely have an intriguing side.”
“If I weren’t opened minded and adventurous, I would be scared as shit with everything you pulled off tonight.”
“Then it’s a date,” I said.
“It’s a date.” She smiled. “We’ll see if business holds you up like it did my sister. She’s heading