Page 21 of Gary
“Your apartment and the exclusive neighborhood.”
“Part of the package.” He evaded smoothly. “Shall we?”
She followed him, turning her head this way and that to stare at the silk patterned walls.
“You just moved in?”
“A week ago.” He led her into the formal dining room with its elegant mahogany table and chairs and a cozy fireplace tucked into one corner of the large room.
The room was scanty and mostly devoid of furnishings, but what was there seemed to her untrained eyes to be of the most excellent quality. There was a sideboard, a liquor cabinet and a long low sofa facing the floor to ceiling window.
“Need any help?”
He had pulled out her chair and was heading out.
“I just need to grab the meal and come back out. You may pour the wine; I already popped the cork.”
Sadie pushed back her chair and rose to get it done. He was obviously wealthy; she decided as she poured the rich burgundy into two glasses. His clothes were of superior quality, and she had been astounded by the area.
The houses or apartments were distanced from each other. She and her mother lived in a nice area after the fire when they were relocated, but their neighbors were extremely near to them. The houses were only a few feet apart.
It was certainly not the case here. This was a very moneyed area and a lot of it.
He came back with the bowls and placed them in the middle of the table, before going back to get the salad.
“All done?”
He nodded and accepted the glass of wine from her with a murmur of thanks.
“I never asked if you liked Italian?”
“Who doesn’t?”
His smile warmed her heart and sent tingles along her flesh.
“That’s what I said to myself.” Picking up his utensils, he started eating.
“I had to call my aunt to get some pointers. Let me know what you think.” He nodded to the chicken.
“You called your aunt in Italy?”
“Hmm. So?”
She tasted the chicken, and her eyes widened. “It’s… What is it?”
“Chicken Scallopini.” He grinned at her dazed expression and felt the pride and relief swelling inside his chest. “And from your expression, I see my labors were not in vain.”
“You went to all this trouble for me? Why aren’t you married?”
He laughed. Suddenly the tension was lifted, and he felt an easy camaraderie settling in. He was right about her. He had noticed from the very beginning that there was no sense of coyness or pretense where she was concerned. He loved that, it made him desire her even more, if that was at all possible.
“Would you believe that you are the first woman I have ever cooked for?”
Her tapered brows lifted as she continued eating the delicious meal.
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Now you are wounding me. I am being honest.”