Page 102 of The Rebel

“I think I know where this is going.”

“Do you?” I challenged.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again. “You know what? I’ve decided not to ask.”

I laughed. “Fair enough.” Because if I even voiced those thoughts, I was going to lose control. “Be ready to leave at six,” I said as I opened the door.

“Will do, boss!” she said with a grin and mock salute.

At five to six, I headed out of the building. We never left the office at the same time. We weren’t keeping things secret, but we were professionals. But once we were outside the building, all bets were off. I waited in front, glancing inside LeBlanc-Broussard. The restaurant was busy, as usual.

Five minutes later, I started getting impatient, but instead of texting Daisy, I messaged Annelise. At the farm, after the morning tour, when I stayed with Daisy’s mom in the kitchen, I pointed out politely to Rosalie that she didn’t seem to get the hang of operating the machinery. I once again suggested hiring some additional help for them in the interim, and she was more inclined that time, but under one condition: We weren’t telling Daisy. I wasn’t a fan of keeping things from my woman, but I understood parental pride. Annelise, however, knew all of what was going on.

Anthony: Everything okay?

Annelise: Yes! The two extra guys started today. Everything is already going much smoother!

Anthony: Perfect. Let me know if anything else is needed.

Just then, a message from Daisy popped up.

Daisy: I’ll be a few minutes late. Sorry.

“A few” turned out to be fifteen.She came out in a rush from the back alley.

“So sorry. I started putting on makeup, and it took a while. I wanted to look my best.”

“You’re always gorgeous, Daisy.”

She smiled. “Someone’s in a good mood.”

“I mean it. I have a hard enough time not bursting into your office and seducing you on a daily basis.” I stepped closer to her.

She sucked in a breath. “Anthony, do you mean that?”

“Every fucking word.”

“But I do look nicer now, don’t I?” She batted her eyelashes.

Fuck. This was the moment I was supposed to compliment whatever she’d changed, right? The only problem was, I had no idea what that was.

“As I said, you always look gorgeous.”

“I’ll take it,” she said. “Where are we going?”

“What do you think about barhopping?” I suggested. “We go in wherever we find space and they serve snacks. And when we’re full, we can head to the store.”

“This is the most brilliant thing I’ve heard. That way, we can move all around the Quarter.”

“Exactly.” I couldn’t be more in sync with this woman. I’d instinctively known she’d like this idea. Her smile was genuine. She wasn’t just going with it because she wanted to please me. “Let’s start right here on Royal.” I pointed to a small hole-in-the-wall about two blocks away.

“I have no idea what that is,” Daisy said.

“They’ve got great meatballs.”

“That’s an odd choice of food to have in the heart of New Orleans.”

“It would be boring if everyone served po’ boys, jambalaya, and gumbo.”