“Hmm.” Elizabeth muses for a moment. “Maybe you should get a nanny for the evening. Vanessa knows a few good ones. I’ll text you the info.”
“Thanks. I owe you one.”
“No, you don’t. I’m just happy to see you happy. You deserve this.”
“Even if I don’t plan to marry Ava until after…you know…the deadline?”
“Lucas, I support whatever decision you want to make. That’s what Grandpa would’ve liked.”
“Thanks.” I force the word through a tight ball lodged in my chest. Suddenly, I feel like an idiot for having avoided my siblings after the accident. It’s obvious they love and care for me deeply. I should never have assumed otherwise.
A few minutes pass before I get a text from Elizabeth.
Done. Reservation’s at seven. Hope you like it there. The food is amazing. André is a true artiste. As for nannies: here’s the info. Vanessa says they’re all excellent and thoroughly vetted. Knowing how she and Justin are, I’m a hundred percent certain they’re all saints.
Thank you, I text back.
Elizabeth sends me a bunch of hearts. I grin and go back inside.
“So, what are we doing?” Ava looks at me.
“Going to Éternité, for one.”
Darcy and Ray gape at me. “How did you manage that?” he asks.
“Eh, I know someone who knows someone…”
Ava tilts her head, studying my face. “Let me guess. Ryder or Elizabeth?”
“Elizabeth. She’s tight with her cousin Mark…who owns the restaurant. So she hooked us up.”
Ava claps her hands. “That’s wonderful! Thank you.”
“I told her we have Mia, so she also sent a list of nannies. That should allow us to have a relaxing dinner,” I say.
Ray begins, “That’s un—”
“That sounds wonderful!” Darcy interrupts. “We haven’t had an adult dinner in a long time.”
Ray almost looks pained, which is surprising. You’d think he’d like an opportunity to dine in a fine restaurant without a baby in the way. On the other hand, maybe he’s anxious about leaving Mia behind. “The nannies are very well qualified. Mia will be fine,” I say.
He gives me an oddly tight smile. It’s almost like he thinks I’d harm Mia or something.
“Of course,” Ray says finally. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty
Ava
Éternité is no ordinary restaurant. I can see why Ray and Darcy wanted to try it, and why dining here is on some people’s bucket list. And I understand why Ray finally decided to leave Mia with the nanny, even though I could tell he’d rather not. Despite my promise to keep my silence a little longer, he seems to harbor an instinctive wariness toward Lucas. I remind myself that once he has a chance to get to know Lucas, he’ll change his attitude.
The place is stunning, with the aesthetics of east and west merging together to form a harmonious and lovely atmosphere. The music is lively yet quiet. The wait staff is outfitted in crisp black-and-white uniforms, and the diners are dressed to impress in priceless designer silk, chiffon and leather. I’m glad that Lucas had Rachel get me and Darcy new dresses and matching shoes. It sounds shallow, but I don’t want to do anything that would reflect badly on Lucas or embarrass him among his social peers.
Every table has expensive wine and food almost too beautiful to be eaten. The maître d’ takes us to a table in the loft that overlooks the floor below. Screens and hangings create the illusion of a private balcony. After browsing the leather-bound menu, I order the waiter’s recommendation—a surf-and-turf seven-course dinner. Everyone else also orders it, and Lucas adds a bottle of red and one of white, his voice a quiet murmur.
Despite the crowd, service is quick. The wines come first, and after Lucas approves them, the waiter serves everybody. We clink glasses. “To a new beginning,” Darcy says. “I’m glad that you two were able to work everything out. It’s obvious you love each other.”
Lucas inclines his head. “Thank you.”