Page 59 of A Win-Win Situation
Fine means "I’mupsetwith you."
She probably notices the look on my face because she tries to assure me, "I promise, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
She nods, her smile widening. "Do you think they’ll serve pain au chocolat?"
When she mentions the sweet pastry, I can't help but smile. Pain au chocolat is my favorite—it's the only dessert I truly enjoy.
In front of us, the table is adorned with china plates and crystal glass, showcasing an ostentatious display of wealth. I'm not surprised; it's in typical Michel fashion to show off. There are croissants with various fillings, Quiche Lorraine that seems overly rich, and smoked salmon with cream cheese that looks too pretentious for my liking. Fresh fruits, assorted cheeses and charcuterie are carefully arranged on platters, adding to the opulence of the brunch spread. There's also a silver tray filled with macarons in all colors, dark coffee brewing on a silver coffee press, and a few bottles of expensive Champagne chilling in the ice buckets.
As the servers come by with the last of the spread, I catch the smell of freshly baked pain au chocolat, and my senses immediately perk up. I can’t help myself. Even though I’d rather be indulging back at home, I reach for one and hand it to Leora before I grab one for myself.
As I chew, I notice how the others at the table are engrossed in the food and conversation. Michel, in particular, seems to revel in the attention he’s getting and Melina sits next to her father, occasionally glaring at us.
I look at Leora, anxious to see if she's enjoying the food. To my relief, her smiles are even bigger now. With each bite she takes, she wiggles in her chair as if she’s dancing with delight—I don’t think she’s noticing it herself.
She’s adorable.
I quickly wipe away my smile, trying to suppress any feelings that may be growing.
Stop looking at her that way.You’re doing this for Ammo Antoine.
"It’s so delicious," Leora says between bites. When I look at her, I find her eyes on mine, glimmering in the light.
I swallow hard, the taste of the food suddenly less significant.I’m screwed.
After a few minutes of eating, I find Leora’s eyes darting around, and she’s still got that big smile on her face. I can't help but chuckle. There's a mischievous glint in her eyes, and a feeling of suspicion creeps in. She's up to something, and I'm certain she's done more than just enjoy her meal.
"So, what did you do, Leora? It looks like you've got a secret up your sleeve," I whisper, playfully nudging her.
"What? Nothing?" She blinks innocently.
"Leora," I warn.
"Lucas," she echoes.
Our gazes lock, and we find ourselves in a tense staring contest. I’m instantly captivated by the intensity of her eyes. The way her green eyes seem to shimmer in the soft light, resembling precious stones of jade, leaving me mesmerized.
I lean in, my teasing grin widening. "Come on, Leora, you can't fool me. I know you've done something." I pause before I mock-gasp, pretending to be scandalized. "Don't tell me you threw a drink at somebody!"
Leora slaps my shoulder lightly, before she looks around, making sure no one else is within earshot. Then she leans in closer to me, her breath warm against my ear. "Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to be mad," she says, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "I promise, now spill."
Leora takes a deep breath, her excitement barely contained as she opens her bag, revealing its contents to me. My curiosity peaks as I lean in to get a closer look.
Inside the bag, I see an array of colorful forms.
They look like turtles.
Theyareturtles.
What the hell is that and where did she find them?
She picks one up and hands it to me under the table. My fingers brush against its smooth surface. It's like touching silk, but with a slight grip to it.
I take a better look at it and turn it in my hand.
