Chapter Fifteen
Bailey
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My dark green dress molded to my curves a little bit too much, showing off a lot of cleavage, but I loved it. I’d paired it with black high heels and was searching in my closet for a coat.
“Can you come back in front of the camera?” Avery asked.
We’d been on a video call the entire time I got ready. She kept giving me tips and tricks on how to style myself.
“Yep,” I said, moving over in front of the phone.
“You’re a knockout. And I’m not saying that just because I’m biased, which of course I am. You’re super, super beautiful.”
“Thanks, sis.”
Avery tilted her head. “What do you think will happen tonight?”
I fiddled with my thumbs, shrugging. “We’re going to enjoy a fantastic dinner. And talk.”
“Looking like that, he’s going to maul you before you even finish dinner.”
“Avery!” But I was sort of hoping she was right.
Wasn’t that crazy? How could I be so attracted to a man who planned to turn our lives upside down? And held so many beliefs that were different from mine?
Well, perhaps that wasn’t strictly true. We differed in many ways, but we had one thing in common: we each cared deeply about our family.
“All right, I’ve got to go. He’s going to be here any second now.”
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
“Okay, bye. Have fun.” She sent me an air kiss before disconnecting the call.
I was downright jittery as I put the phone in my small clutch bag, then threw on my coat before opening the door. Xander stood there wearing only a suit, no coat or anything. I would forever be grateful that this man’s inner temperature seemed to be much higher than normal because I loved seeing him in a suit.
“Good evening, Bailey.”
“Hi!” I almost squeaked. Oh goodness. This is an interesting start.
“Ready to go?”
“Yep. I’ve got everything I need.”
He looked me up and down, his eyes settling on my feet. “Are you sure you won’t be cold?”
“That’s debatable, but I’m assuming we’ll be indoors most of the time.”
“Obviously. I’ll find a parking spot nearby, and if there isn’t one, then I’ll drop you off as near as possible to the restaurant.”
I stilled. All of that for my convenience? That was something, wasn’t it?
“That sounds like a great plan.”
He motioned for me to walk to his car. I felt even more nervous than before, remembering the last time he’d seen me. This door had seen some seriously sexy action.
“I keep thinking about your parents and grandparents in the same house. I never realized that there are still families who live together the way yours does,” I said once we were in the car.
“I find it unusual too. My grandparents weren’t fans in the beginning.”
“So, how did your parents win them over? I can’t imagine anyone convincing Isabeau to do something she doesn’t want to.”
He chuckled. “No, but she started to slow down in the past few years, and she realized that. Whatever we might say about Isabeau, she isn’t one to lie to herself. She spent a lot of time with Celine anyway, so they figured that living together wouldn’t be a huge change. That house is big enough that everyone has their private space.”
“It’s one of my favorites in the Garden District.”
“How so?”
“Because it’s gorgeous but somehow not ostentatious. Despite its size, it’s actually cozy.”
He nodded. “Cozy. Never thought of it like that, but it’s a good description. Are your parents doing okay?”
“Yes, they are. Mom managed to take time off for Thanksgiving. We’re super grateful for that, though she said she’ll probably have to take a nursing shift on Christmas Day in exchange. It was nice catching up with her and Dad. Now, tell me more about the restaurant. If it’s as good as you say it is, how can they keep it a secret?”
Xander kept looking at the road, but I saw his face transform into a smile.
“It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the French Quarter. It’s on the second floor of a building. There’s no sign or anything. The owner goes by the name of D, and that’s it.”
“What? Come on, you must know his name.”
“I don’t. I didn’t try very hard to find out either. If the man wants to keep his identity a secret, who am I to ruin his fun? He’s been running that place for forty years with a small crew. He’s got three Michelin stars but doesn’t advertise it at all.”
“That is insane,” I said.
“I know.”
“So, you’ve been there before?”
“Yes, once. The food is delicious. They only have five tables, though.”
“And you got one?” I asked incredulously.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I need more details. How did that happen?”
“I did D a favor once, and he remembers.”
“Do you always like being this mysterious?”
He winked. “Yes.”
I was seeing Xander in an entirely new light. This man was always focused on whatever brought the best results and being efficient, yet he’d done someone a favor and didn’t even brag about it. I was starting to like him more and more.
We arrived very quickly on Decatur Street, and Xander even found a parking lot.
“We need to walk a couple minutes from here. Are you good to do that?”
I nodded. “I’m not made out of sugar.”
“I just don’t want you to be cold or uncomfortable.”
“I’m good. Besides, I want to stretch my legs a bit.”
“All right.” He pulled into the lot.
I got out as soon as he’d parked and took in a deep breath. The air was warmer than I’d expected. Smiling, I looked around. I didn’t come to the Quarter that often.
“I like your smile,” Xander said.
I startled at his voice. I hadn’t realized he’d already come over to my side.
“I like this evening. It’s got a good vibe.”
Jazz music filtered throughout the streets. Sometimes it seemed nearer and sometimes farther away. Maybe it was just a trick of the wind.
Decatur Street was one of my favorites in New Orleans; it wasn’t as touristy, and things moved more at my pace. Even though Xander had warned me, I was still surprised that there was no sign of a restaurant whatsoever when we reached the building. It was bright red with white shutters and had a very small balcony with a white railing.
“Where’s the entrance?” I asked.
“Right through here.” He pointed to the small nondescript door next to the main entrance and opened it, revealing a very narrow staircase.
“The plot thickens. This is so exciting.”
Xander laughed. “I thought you might appreciate this place. It was what sold D on giving us a table at the last minute.”
I looked over my shoulder as I went up, and what do you know? I caught Xander LeBlanc staring at my ass. Well, at my coat, really. Although he could probably see the contour of my ass if he really looked because the coat was snug. It was still buttoned up.
“I thought you convinced him using your prowess.”
“My prowess?” he parroted, looking up at me.
“That’s right,” I countered.
“My abilities helped. But they had to bring in an extra table for us, something he never does.”
At the end of the staircase, there was another small door, and I immediately opened it.
“This is so cozy,” I murmured as we both went inside.
There were only a few tables for two throughout the smaller room, with a small fireplace to the right of the window. The fire was crackling, and they’d put candles on the mantelpiece. Soft piano music played in the background.
Xander was looking at me with a curious expression when I faced him after taking it all in.
“I love it!” I gushed.
He smiled instantly. “I’m happy to hear that. I’ll take your coat.”
Xander watched me intently as I unbuttoned my coat and then slipped it off.
As I handed it to him, I heard him inhale sharply and immediately glanced up at him. He was checking out my cleavage now.
So, this was the evening where he finally forgot his manners, huh? Although, if I thought about it, he’d already shown me that side of him when we were making eggnog... and when he’d kissed me against my door. Still, this was a bit different because we were in public. I liked that he couldn’t hold himself in check.
After he took my coat, I turned away. There was no way for me to hide my smug smile anymore.
There was a door opposite the fireplace, and it immediately opened. A man who looked to be in his late seventies stepped in.
“Xander, this must be your lovely lady.”
“Hi, D,” Xander said.
“Your lovely lady,” huh? I was liking this more and more.
“That’s for you.” He pointed to a table close to the fire. “If it gets too hot, let me know and I’ll—”
“I’ll move it if necessary,” Xander assured him. “Thank you for everything, D.”
“Sure. Why don’t you two sit down, and I’ll start serving right away.”
“Thank you. Your restaurant is very cozy. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it,” I said.
D smiled at me, and it transformed his whole face. “My wife and I started it many years ago. It was just a place where we served food to our friends. Then we asked our friends to send friends, and it slowly became a restaurant. But we wanted to keep it small, so we only took reservations based on recommendations. I lost her ten years ago, and I’m doing everything on my own, so I don’t want more people anyway. No need.”
My heart ached when his eyes turned sad at the mention of his wife’s passing.
“I’ll bring drinks to you,” he said, and then he went back through the door.
“He does everything?” I double-checked with Xander.
“Yep.”
“But this is a lot of work for him.”
“He assured me that he can do it, but there’s a catch: it means you only get what he’s bringing you. You noticed he didn’t take our order?”
“That’s right.”
D returned with a bottle of wine. “This is the house wine. My brother-in-law makes it all the way out in Charleston.”
I barely bit back a laugh. “All the way out,” huh? “I’m surprised you’re serving wine. I thought maybe you’d pull out some Pimm’s or Sazeracs.”
He shook his head, looking as if I’d mortally offended him. “That doesn’t go with my food.”
Mental note: don’t crack any more jokes.
After he poured our wine, he went to the other tables, refilling their glasses before disappearing into the kitchen.
I looked at the fireplace for a few seconds and sighed.
“I so wish my fireplace worked,” I confessed. “I love them.”
“I have one in my penthouse,” Xander replied.
My heart stuttered, and my pulse went up a few notches. “Already trying to lure me back to your place, huh?”
“Doing my very best.”
Holy shit. Okay, this wasn’t just a flirty Réveillon dinner. It was full-on seductive mode.
“Wait... did you say penthouse?”
“Yes, in the business district.”
“Is it an electric fireplace?”
“No. It burns wood, but it’s modern.”
“Doesn’t matter. Fire is fire.” I took a sip of the wine and then another one. “I’m already sold on this place.”
“Wait until you taste the food.”
“You certainly know how to wine and dine someone,” I said carefully. I was fishing for information. Was this his usual MO? Did he impress everyone the way he was impressing me? I had to be stealthy, though, because I’d be super embarrassed if he caught on.
“I don’t usually do this,” he said instantly.
I busied myself by looking at my glass. “You don’t?” I was holding my breath.
“No, Bailey. I really don’t.”
I looked up at him. His eyes were fixed on me.
“I usually don’t even—”
But he never managed to finish that sentence because D came up to us with corn soup. He simply put it down in front of us and left without an explanation.
“I haven’t eaten this in a while,” I said, then dug in.
It only took a spoonful to understand why D had three Michelin stars. It was creamy and a bit garlicky, but not too strong. There was also some smokiness that fit perfectly.
My shoulders dropped of their own accord, and a calmness came over me as we sat and ate comfortably. I leaned my head back, smiling for no reason before taking another spoonful, just enjoying the evening.
“I like seeing you this relaxed,” Xander said.
He touched my leg under the table, and I stilled, hoping my body wasn’t going to react in an inappropriate way. No such luck. My panties instantly felt superhot, but at least the bright side was that Xander couldn’t tell.
“That’s my plan for this evening,” he continued.
“To r-relax me?” I stuttered.
He had a mischievous glint in his eyes. I thought he might have an idea of what was going on between my thighs.
“Yes.”
“You’re on your merry way to doing just that,” I assured him.
The evening was amazing. The second appetizer was shrimp, and it tasted even better than the soup. D served it on a bed of spiraled carrots and zucchini, which weren’t my favorite vegetables, but these were so delicious that I could eat a truckload. The main course was turkey breast with ham and pureed potatoes.
“It’s a good thing D doesn’t allow people to order.”
“Why?” Xander asked.
“Because I would never have ordered any of this, and it’s amazing.”
“I agree.”
“Want more wine?”
“Want me to get drunk?” he teased.
“No, I just want you to open up so I can get some info out of you.”
“Such as?”
“How you discovered D and what you usually do with your dates.”