Chapter 19
“You’re taller today,” I tease, giving her a quick hug in the lobby of her high-rise luxury apartment building. Dani looks amazing in a lilac leather jacket, black silk shirt underneath, and black wide-leg jeans.
“Four-inch booties bring me to a whopping five-four.” She pulls up her pant leg to show me chunky combat boots. She’s still a foot shorter than me. Too cute. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” I almost grab for her hand, but it’s our first date, and I hold back, for now. We hop into the SUV I have waiting and head toward the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.
“Northwest,” she says, looking out the window. “Longman and Eagle?”
I scoff. “That place was hot a decade ago. I’m taking you to my friend’s restaurant.”
“So mysterious.” She bumps me with her shoulder.
“Maverick!” she exclaims as we arrive. “Am I underdressed?” she asks, glancing out the window.
“No,” I assure her, squeezing her hand.
As the driver parks the SUV, Dani notices the lights are off, and worry crosses her face. “Is it closed?”
I nod, calling Chef Kurt as I step out. At her door, I extend my hand, loving how small her hand feels in mine.
“G!” booms Kurt’s raspy voice as he opens the door. “Nice to see you, brother,” he says, giving me a firm hug. “I’m Kurt Rinde.” He extends a hand to Dani. “Nice to meet you.”
Her smile lights up her face as she says, “Dani Sommer.”
“I hope you’re both hungry. I went a little crazy.” He chuckles to himself and waves us in.
“You did not,” she whispers to me as we walk through the empty restaurant.
I wink.
“Dani,” he says, looking back. “G is a real one. He helped me secure the real estate for the restaurant and has introduced me to a lot of investors to help me expand.”
She raises her brows at me.
I shrug. “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
The place smells incredible. He has multiple burners lit with a variety of pots and pans, preparing different dishes. Kurt gestures us to the oversized leather seats at the chef’s counter.
“Maverick is Kurt’s first restaurant after being a sous at some of the best restaurants in the world,” I share with Dani, proud of my friend. “For his first year, he already received two Michelin stars.”
“Congrats.” She beams at him. “Whoever is doing your PR is killing it. I always see you in the news.”
Kurt gives us a little bow, and Dani leans back into her seat, settling in.
“Tonight, we’re going to have a few courses with wine pairings,” he announces.
“You went all out,” Dani says, squeezing my hand. “This is impressive.”
“One date, right. I wanted to make it the best one.”