Page 75 of The Arrogant One

I glanced toward the kitchen, where Walker was making his way over. “Before I leave you two so you can get back to girls’ night, I want to make sure you have something special to go with your dinner. My brother, Walker, happens to be in the kitchen tonight. I assigned him that task. Let’s see what he came up with.”

“Walker made us something?” Sadie asked.

“He sure did.” As Walker stopped in front of the table, dressed in his chef’s whites, my hand went to his shoulder. “Walker, this is Sadie”—I paused as they shook hands—“and this is her best friend, Bryn.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Walker said.

“To say I’m a fan would be an understatement,” Sadie said. “I hope that’s okay to admit?” She paused, clearly embarrassed. “I’m just a massive … foodie. And anyone who loves food as much as me knows you by name. I even have your cookbooks.” She grinned. “It’s an honor to meet you, Walker.”

“I appreciate that,” Walker replied to her. “I’ve heard a lot about you. My brother speaks highly of you.”

Sadie smiled in response.

“What I have here are some diver scallops.” Walker held the plate down so the ladies could see what was on it. “I ordered them for my dinner this evening, and my distributor sent a few extra.” He moved the tuna and burrata apart and set the scallops between the women.

“I hope we didn’t take your dinner away from you?” Bryn asked.

“No, no, these are the extra.” Walker smiled at her.

Sadie lifted her glass, and before she took a drink, she said, “There aren’t any scallops on the menu.”

“They’re not, you’re right.” He pointed at the plate. “I’m not a fan of small scallops. They’re often chewy and flavorless. That’s why I don’t serve them at any of Charred’s locations.” He tapped the air. “If I had access to this size, I would serve them daily, but diver scallops are extremely hard to find, and when I can get them, it’s never guaranteed how many. That’s why I usually keep them for myself, or I have my family over and let them indulge.” He nodded toward me.

“One of my favorite meals you make,” I admitted to my brother.

Sadie slid her fork through the center of one, cutting it again into fourths, and brought a small piece up to her mouth, groaning the second her lips surrounded the fork. “Walker—I can’t …” She spoke behind her hand. “I can’t even find the words for how delicious this is. These are the best I’ve ever had.”

“Thank you,” Walker voiced.

Sadie lifted another piece and inspected it. “Butter? Is that your secret? And lots of it?”

“I coat both sides in melted butter that’s cooled, dip them in flour, and cook them in stock. I make my own—a mix of chicken with lots of vegetables. I use oil in the pan, make sure the pan is extremely hot. I cook them for no more than ninety seconds on each side. That’s the trick to the perfect scallop.”

“A recipe you should add to your next cookbook,” Sadie suggested.

Walker laughed. “And give away one of the most brilliant scallop secrets? Never. That’s reserved for my heirs and now you.”

Sadie had another bite. “I could eat a hundred more.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying them.” Walker put his hand back on my shoulder. “I’m going to head to the kitchen. It was great to meet you both.” He squeezed me, and he was gone.

“What a treat, Lockhart. Thank you.” Sadie reached for my hand and held it.

“Of course.” I grinned. “Have a good evening at Charred.” My gaze intensified. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” I then glanced over at Bryn. “Once again, great to meet you.”

“You too.” Bryn smiled.

I kissed Sadie’s bare shoulder, my mouth then going to her neck, where I whispered, “I told you I could keep my hands off you in a restaurant,” before my lips grazed her cheek and I walked away.

EIGHTEEN

Sadie

Iwatched Lockhart walk away from our table, and the moment I was sure he was out of hearing range, my hand slapped against my chest, and I leaned as close to Bryn as I could get without actually being on the table. “I’m having a full-blown panic attack.”

“Why?” She finished chewing a scallop. “What’s wrong? He’s so fabulous. I?—”

“You realize what all that was, don’t you? And what just happened? And what it means?”