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“Knew we should have ordered in,” mumbled Colton.
“Is this a top sirloin roast?” I asked, looking at the perfectly browned meat inside.
“You know your cuts,” said Luke. He passed me a white serving dish and tongs while he stirred a pot. I carefully placed the sirloin on the dish and added a few scoops of jus to the dish. Luke poured a pan of roasted potatoes onto another plate and passed a bowl of salad to Ryan. “Here, put this on the table.”
“Follow me,” said Luke as he led me through a smaller kitchen and into the dining room. A silver chandelier hung over a white marble table. A white and yellow flower arrangement sat in the center of the table and I gently placed the sirloin next to it.
“Let’s eat,” grinned Luke.
Colton pulled out a chair and sat next to me, while Ryan and Luke took seats across from us.
“Thank you for inviting me. This all looks so wonderful,” I said.
“The pleasure is ours,” said Colton, and squeezed my hand. I blushed, embarrassed by Colton’s display of affection when we were supposed to be just friends in front of his brothers.
“Let go of her hand and let the woman eat,” said Luke, making my blush deepen.
One bite of the roast and my mouth hummed with pleasure. The seasoning wasn’t overdone. There was just enough salt and black pepper to bring out the flavor of the sirloin. “This is exquisite,” I said.
“Not bad,” said Luke, taking another bite.
“So, Ava, tell me,” began Ryan. “How long have you worked as a personal assistant?” The morsel of sirloin sank to the pit of my stomach.
“Um, ten days,” I said, trying to be as honest as possible.
Luke and Colton laughed, but Ryan didn’t.
“You must have had an impressive education or other for Colton to hire you.” Then, turning to his brother, he asked, “What was it about her resume you found intriguing?”
Colton poured me a glass of wine and then did the same for himself. “I don’t recall,” he said. “But looks like it all worked out quite well, didn’t it?”
Ryan stared at me, and I wondered, did he know something? Did he pull Ava Grady’s resume out of the trash? If so, why wait until now to bring it up? No, he was probably just making conversation. I was being paranoid.
“What do you do in your spare time? Any extra-curricular activities? Church groups?” asked Ryan, leaning across the table.
Church groups? Ava’s resume mentioned something about that, didn’t it? But I couldn’t be sure.
I cleared my throat and thought fast. “God’s work is something I do privately. Besides, humility is a virtue, is it not?”
“Indeed, it is,” said Ryan. “Are you a virtuous woman, Ava?”
“Ryan!” Colton slammed his fork onto the table.
“Ignore my brother,” said Luke, shooting Ryan a glare. “Even when he’s not working, he likes to put everyone on the stand.”
I laughed nervously and resumed eating. Slowly, I cut a tiny bite of the steak, hoping it would slide down my constricted throat. It didn’t work. I swallowed with difficulty and washed it down with a gulp of wine. Ryan suspected something. I needed to end this tonight. Before anyone found out the truth.
Turning to Colton, I said, “I’m feeling a little unwell. Do you mind taking me home?”
Colton raised his eyes and fired a stare at his brother. Ryan flinched, if only a little.
“You don’t have to leave, Ava,” said Ryan. “I apologize if I made you uncomfortable.”
Patting my mouth with the white napkin, I waited for my heart to stop hammering in my chest before I stood from the table. “Apology accepted. But I’m afraid I do need to get going.” If I stayed any longer, the nerves in my stomach would toss up my dinner.
“I’ll drive Ava home and be right back,” said Colton, then pointed a finger at Ryan. “Don’t leave until I get back. I need a word with you.” Ryan nodded.
“It was very nice to meet you,” I said, turning to Luke. “The meal was delicious.”
