Page 29 of Grand Escape
Adam looked up at me. “Why?”
“You’re not getting the full treatment here. Because of me,” I said to clarify.
He leaned in a little, giving me a pointed look. “I didn’t come here for the dining experience. I came here for you.”
A chill ran down my spine.
I’d spent the last few years avoiding any strings or commitments, not liking the false promises or obligations or one-sidedness that came with them. Yet, Adam brought out a kaleidoscope of emotions in me that I hadn’t felt in a long while—maybe ever. Compassion, strong empathy, and the need to comfort and be near a person were feelings I’d buried, intending to never indulge in them again.
“Why don’t you tell me about the celebs who come here?” Adam asked, obviously trying to lighten the mood again, and he succeeded.
“Can’t. Signed a very serious NDA and all that. I’m especially under a watchful eye because I prepare their drinks. What they consume is under so much scrutiny.”
“Wow, and I thought handling their divorces was difficult.”
Adam and I shared the bisque, and it was amazing, just the right amount of creaminess and flavor. I wasn’t surprised, though, since I’d had it before. The staff sampled most of everything made on property and were allowed to enjoy anything left over at the end of the night.
“Like it?” I asked Adam.
“It’s good. Really good.”
“Everything here is top shelf. When I think about it, it’s kind of funny that a place like this is where I ran away to.” I laughed as if I were poking fun at myself, but in reality, I was sharing more than I ever had.
“You work hard here.”
“I do. But I live surrounded in beauty and luxury with a lot of perks at my fingertips.”
“You can’t punish yourself for benefits of the job.”
“Like meeting you?” I said without thinking, and then the words started flowing from my mouth. “I mean, I’ve spent the last day or so beating myself up. I shouldn’t be enjoying this time with you, but I am. Too much.”
Adam’s eyes warmed. “That’s good, because so am I.”
Something about the way he didn’t try to drive home a point or debate it with me hit me hard. I couldn’t help but wonder what happened that he was still solo, or nursing a bad breakup. He seemed like the most genuine and giving man I ever met.
“Salad with lump crab and crispy plantains,” Natalie said, interrupting our musings.
“Oh, this is one of my favorites,” I said, leaning over to take a sniff.
Natalie nodded. “It’s the best.”
When we were alone again, Adam said, “Glad to know the experts approve of the menu.”
“It’s the dressing—the way it mixes with the saltiness of the crab and the sweetness of the plantain is perfect. It’s lime and mint ... Sorry, I’m rambling, but this salad deserves it.” I shut up and took a bite. “Mmm.”
After sampling a bite, Adam hummed his approval too. “We don’t get anything fresh like this in Michigan. It’s one of the reasons I like working with my brother in New York. At least there they have some restaurants that mimic fresh seafood experiences.”
“I haven’t been to New York since that time I went in the snow. I was about twelve at the time. My parents took me so I could see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade one year for Thanksgiving. Well, my nanny and me. They had a full schedule of events they wanted to attend and couldn’t be bothered with me, so my nanny took me to see the Rockettes show. She also took me shopping, and of course, to the parade, while my mom obsessed over her footwear.”
“Did you like the parade? I’ve never seen it in person,” Adam said, again deftly avoiding unhappy topics.
“No.”
“You didn’t?”
“It was too cold. I wasn’t used to that kind of cold. I’d never seen snow before in all my life. To make it worse, my nanny was obsessed with this movie called Serendipity. You ever heard of it?”
Adam raised an eyebrow and stared at me as I rambled like a teenager on her first date.