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But when I turned to look at Vic, she was biting her lip eagerly. She met my eyes. “Do you like it?”

My heart skipped a beat as I nodded. “Yes.”

Smirking, she let her hand travel even higher. It rested just a few inches from the edge of my panties. I was certain she would be able to feel the heat radiating from the slit. A part of me worried my slickness might spread to her hand.

Her fingers pressed into the soft flesh of my inner thigh as she peeled off the highway, now across the bridge. The car gently slowed as we drifted into the town of Beacon.

Vic returned her hand to the wheel as she rolled the car into an open spot on Main Street. It felt like the spot had been left for us. And knowing Victoria, it probably was.

She put the car in park and killed the engine. As she got out, I waited patiently for her to walk around to open my door. I fixed my hair and dress, the fabric tickling the spot where Vic’s hand had rested. I felt like her grip had left an unseeable mark on my flesh, branding me.

The door opening cut off my thought. I swung my feet out of the car and grabbed the hand Vic was offering me. As she helped me stand, I could feel her scanning the dress once more.

She was far more eager than I had expected. A part of me assumed it might be harder to get past our professional politeness. But it already seemed like that part of our connection was in the rearview.

Once I was standing solidly on the asphalt, Vic closed the passenger door, looped her arm with mine, and escorted me to the sidewalk.

The town was starting to empty at this time of night; there were just a few stragglers hanging around the closing restaurants on the main strip.

A pink glow washed over the old brick buildings as the sun set behind the distant mountains. Vic walked me to a storefront, pulling open that door too. “Will I have to open a single door for myself this entire night?”

Vic laughed. “You might never touch a doorknob again if I had my way.”

As I slipped past her, Victoria wrapped her arm around my waist. The moment the door closed behind, a suited hostess swept in to greet us. “Welcome, Ms. Bradley and Ms. Greenwood. Your table is ready for you.”

“Thank you, Laura.” Vic nodded and followed the hostess through the empty restaurant. Soft jazz played as we made our way to an empty table at the center of the intimate restaurant.

Laura gestured to the small wood table with a pristine, white table cloth. My mind started to swim at the thought of my legs brushing Victoria’s under the wood top. Vic pulled out my chair and pushed me in before taking her own seat.

“Your server will be right with you.” Laura nodded as she headed back to her post.

Scanning the table, I took note of the dried flower bouquet at the center, which was short enough to not interrupt our eyeline. My face wrinkled as I realized she hadn’t left us with any menus.

Before I could say anything, Vic smiled at me. “The chef only makes one, five-course meal. So there’s no need to select anything.”

I didn’t even know places did that.

Sensing my hesitation, Vic reached her hand across the table. “I figured you make enough decisions in a day to have earned a break.”

My shoulders dropped. Somehow, she was exactly right. “Thank you.”

After a moment, a server appeared with a bottle of red wine and a towel draped over his arm. “Welcome, ladies. My name is Angel and I'll be serving you this evening. This Romanee-Conti has been selected by our sommelier to pair perfectly with the chef’s menu.”

Already uncorked, the waiter poured the rich red wine into each glass. Under the dim light, the liquid almost looked completely black. But as Vic raised her glass to mine, the candle at the center of the table illuminated the deep crimson.

The waiter disappeared as our glasses gently clinked together.

Vic’s hazel eyes held mine. “To Sarah Greenwood: designer extraordinaire.”

Shaking my head, I giggled.

I followed Vic’s lead, giving the wine a light swirl before taking a sip. It was rich, with notes of fruits, florals, and nuts.

“Wow.” I raised my brows as I set the glass on the table. “That’s the best wine I’ve ever had.”

Vic smirked. “Good.”

I licked my teeth. “So, tell me how you found out about… this.” I gestured to the room around us.