Page 42

Well, for the five other occupied tables. Stavros hadn’t been lying when he said Mondays weren’t as busy. Still, Foster had mentioned Thursdays could be full and how he and Arnav had their firstunofficialdate here.

I’d smiled.

The best table was a booth set near the back—away from everyone else.

Jai slid in, facing away from the rest of the place, while I took the seat that afforded me a view. I couldn’t imagine we’d run into anyone I knew, and this provided my companion with some semblance of privacy.

Stavros placed the menus on the table. “Water to start? Would you like a bottle of wine?”

“I don’t drink.” Jai met my gaze. “Sorry.”

“Why would you be? I rarely have any. If it’s okay, though, I might have one glass of red.”

“Yes, please.” He looked almost eager.

I turned to Stavros. “A glass of your house red would be perfect.”

“I’ll have an ice water.” Jai offered a small smile.

“Wonderful. Timothea will be over shortly to take care of you. Only the best!” With a flourish, Stavros headed off.

Jai’s eyes were wide. “Uh…”

“I asked for a reservation. We got to talking, and I said I was from out of town and…” I waved my hand. “Suddenly I feel like I made a new friend.”

“One glass of house red.” A slender woman with clear-blue eyes and long, black hair pulled into a ponytail placed the wine before me. “As Uncle Stavros said, I’ll be your server tonight, and I’m to take extra-good care of you.” She grinned impishly.

Right away, I liked her.

“And ice water.” She flashed Jai a brilliant smile.

He smiled back.

Yep, she’d be getting a big tip. Anyone who made Jai smile deserved to be rewarded. He just didn’t do it enough.

“I’ll give you a couple of minutes with the menu.”

“Actually…” I met Jai’s gaze. “I thought we could get the Greek Platter for two, to share. Do you have any allergies?”

He shook his head.

“Anything you don’t like?”

“Well, my mother was of theeat what I put before you because of the starving children in Africaschool of child rearing.”

I winced.

“Yeah. I have yet to find something I don’t like. Oh, except pineapple on pizza. That’s just gross.”

I pressed a hand to my heart and gasped.

His face fell. His smile disappeared.

Before I could speak, Timothea was nodding frantically. “Right? I mean anchovies are better than pineapple—”

Jai and I both winced.

Our server laughed as she collected the unread menus. “If there’s anything you don’t wind up liking, we can swap it out. We just want you to be happy. I’ll be back with pita bread and tzatziki in a minute.” Then she was gone.