Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Hart
T he heat from Sadie’s gaze followed me the entire way over to her table. It didn’t even seem like she blinked—that was how focused she was. And with each step that brought me closer to her, the thoughts in my head built into larger ones. The last thing I wanted her to think was that I’d followed her to Charred or that running into her was anything more than a coincidence. But given that I was one of the owners here—a conversation I still hadn’t had with her—I wondered if that was the reason she had come and she knew that I was part of The Weston Group. Or she knew nothing about my work, and crossing paths was merely by chance, my sighting of her random.
“Sadie,” I said when I was only a pace away, stopping at the side of her chair, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”
“Hi … Lock hart .”
As I idled for a moment, taking in her incredible scent, I let my lips linger on her skin. Was there ever a scenario where Sadie didn’t look incredibly beautiful? I hadn’t found one yet.
I whispered, “I’m surprised to see you here.”
She caught my eyes as I pulled back. “Same.”
“When I go out with my family, nine times out of ten, we end up here.” I pointed behind me at the bar, but didn’t look in that direction. “I was just in there, having drinks with my brother and sister.”
“Our server mentioned you were the owner … I didn’t know.” She paused. “Makes sense you’d choose to come here, especially with how good it is.”
So, she didn’t know, and this was nothing more than a coincidence.
I wondered if she was upset that I hadn’t mentioned the restaurant—or any of the restaurants—during all my talk of being a foodie.
What I did know was that something about this situation felt off, and I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
“Oh my God, I’m being so rude,” Sadie said. “Bryn, this is Lockhart.” She gave Bryn her eyes. “Lockhart, this is my best friend, Bryn.”
I extended my hand toward her best friend. “It’s nice to meet you, Bryn. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Lockhart,” Bryn said, her eyes widening as she shook my fingers. “I think you know I’ve heard loads and loads about you.” She smiled. “Funny enough, I was just telling Sadie how badly I wanted to meet you.” She surrounded my hand with her free one. “It’s so lovely to finally get the opportunity.”
I flicked my bottom lip by running my teeth across it. “Loads and loads, huh?”
She laughed. “You’re the man my girl can’t stop raving about.”
“Bryn …” Sadie moaned .
“What? It’s true.” Bryn winked at her.
I chuckled. “However Sadie feels about me, I feel even deeper for her.”
Bryn nodded, her grin growing. “Oh, I like you.”
Our hands dropped, and I asked, “Are you enjoying yourselves at Charred?”
“We’ve only had the tuna and the burrata,” Bryn replied. “They were outstanding.”
“She’s right,” Sadie said. “I really loved both.”
It was her eyes—that was what felt off. The way they were looking at me, the way they were trying to see right through me. And it was her tone too. Normally, it was full of flirtation and lightness, and those were gone. In their place wasn’t a heaviness; she just sounded like a friend rather than verbally taunting me to shred the clothes from her body.
I was sure this had to do with my ownership of The Weston Group—something I now had to discuss with her. Not here, but tomorrow night during our date.
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 mu ch 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.