He turned back to Elisa, drawing a little closer to her. “You’re amazing,” he whispered.
Her smile stretched wider, and she picked up her knife and fork. “Happy to help.”
And before he could move, she closed the small distance between their faces and brushed a quick kiss against his cheek.
His body erupted with warm delight, and he had to stop himself turning his head and capturing her lips with his. Instead, he let out a low, wobbly laugh. “Happy tobehelped.”
Her eyes held his. For a heartbeat. And then she settled back in her seat and dug into her omelet. They all ate. And while they all ate, they all talked. Five people, all enjoying each other’s company. Angus hadn’t felt so comfortable, so relaxed for…well, a long time. It’d been quite a while since he and Owen had hung out together—the bastard lived in Newcastle which was two hours’ drive away, and Angus was a workaholic who rarely left the restaurant. Plus, there was the fact he’d spent the last two weeks in the US. But it wasn’t just catching up with his best mate.
He enjoyed listening to Elisa and her sisters banter. He got a laugh out of watching Bria and Owen bounce off each other. He relished being included in all their conversations, whether it be about swimming with sharks off the coast of South Africa—Bria thought it a brilliant idea, Elisa thought it insane. Owen refused to give an opinion; about who was the best Batman—Owen was adamant it was Michael Keaton, Bria equally as adamant Christian Bale was the best, and Zeta lobbed Ben Affleck into the mix deliberately trying to cause a ruckus; or why Italians made the best pizza—on this one, he agreed with the De Luca sisters. The best pizza he’d ever eaten was in Rome.
And most of all, he loved sitting next to Elisa and just…existing with her. Listening to her talk—relaxed and at ease—with her family. Learning who she was.
He was right. Back at the airport something about her had told him she was kind and caring and quiet, and she was all those things. And yet, when she talked about design and art, she came to life. He drank in the enthusiastic energy radiating from her when she talked about her work as a graphic artist. He got lost in her excitement when she told him about her small but very busy graphic design business, and wanted to kiss her senseless when, after Bria mentioned Elisa had been chosen to design the new logo for the San Diego Zoo, she shyly ducked her head, cheeks growing pink.
He’d shared some amazing meals with some amazing people in his life—most chefs did—but nothing compared to this meal.
This moment.
These people.
Elisa.
Nothing compared to sitting next to Elisa, talking with her, being a part of her life, if only for this moment. A moment he never wanted to end.
He didn’t believe in love at first sight. Wasn’t sure he believed in love, full stop—not after living through his parents’ marriage—but holy hell, right now, right at that moment…
A hand dropped onto his shoulder, and he almost let out a shout.
“She’s gone, boss,” Kara murmured in his ear, plucking his empty plate from in front of him.
Gone? He frowned at his sous chef. “Who?”
“Nora.” She flicked a glance toward table three. “Left about fifteen minutes ago. On a side note, she didn’t leave a tip.”
He looked over at the table where the producer had been seated. Empty. Something heavy settled on his chest.
Nora was gone. That meant there was no reason for him and Elisa to pretend they were engaged anymore. That meant it was over. No. He wasn’t ready for it to be over.
He swung back at Elisa. “Want to go to the zoo? Now?”
She blinked, startled. “Now?Nownow?”
“Now.” He jolted to his feet. “Right now. Let’s go.”
“All good over there, mate?” Owen asked.
“Lis?” Bria said. “Tutto okay?”
Elisa looked up at him, looked over at Nora’s empty table, and looked at him again. What was she thinking? He couldn’t tell. For all their gentle flirting and their…intensekiss out on the deck, whathewanted—them spending more time together—may not be whatshewanted. He’d grabbed her wrist, after all. He’d startled her.
She caught her lip with her teeth. He swallowed. Held his breath. Waited.
A smile spread over her face, and she straightened to her feet, taking his hand in hers. “We’re going to the zoo.”
“What?” Bria blinked. “Now?”
“Can I come?” Zeta laughed. “Kidding. Kidding.” She stabbed a finger at Angus. “Have her home by midnight.”