Page 35 of The Substitute Fiancée

“Completely. Come on, it’ll be amazing! We’ll discover the food purely through taste, touch, smell. It’s like a sensory work of art.”

Oliver snorts.

“‘A sensory work of art,’” he repeats, laughing. “All right, let’s try it!”

“Perfect!” Sam exclaims, radiant.

The taxi van drops us in front of the restaurant.

The hostess welcomes us into an antechamber plunged in total darkness.

“From this point on, there are no visual references,” she announces cheerfully. “I recommend keeping your sense of humor and your patience. It helps a lot.”

“We’re screwed,” David mutters. “I have neither.”

Nervous laughter ripples through the group as we’re guided single file to our table. I feel Sam’s hand search for mine so she doesn’t trip. Her fingers slide into my palm, and a soothing warmth spreads through me.

“Alexander, I hope you know where you’re going,” she whispers.

Her voice is so close I can almost feel her smile against my skin.

“I have absolutely no idea.”

She bursts out laughing just as I bump into the back of a chair.

Witch. She’s mocking me.

Once seated, the waitress speaks:

“Tonight’s menu is a surprise tasting. Every bite will be a discovery. And each dish will be paired with a carefully selected wine.”

“Perfect,” David comments. “We’ll all end up drunk and lost, but happy.”

The first dish arrives.

I hear Emelyne sniff like a truffle dog.

“So… what is it?”

“I sense several textures,” Mara says. “Something vegetal, and something else…”

“This isn’t a medical exam,” Oliver snaps.

Sam snickers.

“So, teams? Three against three?” she suggests.

“With pleasure!” Emelyne replies. “I’m with Mara—she’s the best at solving riddles!”

“No way,” David protests. “You’re cheating already and we haven’t even started.”

“Fine,” Sam decides. “Mara with David, Emelyne with Alexander, and me with—”

“Oh no,” Mara cuts in. “The fiancés together. Emelyne, you’re with Oliver.”

“Aye aye, boss,” Emelyne replies, smiling. “Prepare to lose. Let the games begin!”

I bring a bite to my lips.