Chapter 33
Loretta tagged along behind Gillian as they made their way through the twists and turns of the huge mansion. The like a secret garden, with cool rock shapes, tiny rivers, and stone walkways, plus these really fancy gazebos. Everyw looked, there were wonderful flowers and plants.
They strolled for a bit until they got to an area that looked like something out of an old–time movie. On their way, passed some ladies in fancy dresses carrying trays who opened doors and disappeared inside.
“Ms. Broderick, we’re here,” Gillian announced, coming to a halt in front of a door to a private room. She gestured f Loretta to go on in.
Loretta leaned in to take a look. The room was all fancy and old–school, but there was no one in there, which threw loop.
Gillian gave her a grin and explained, “The person you’re here to see is chatting about work stuff with my husband. H if you could hang tight for a bit, he’ll be right with you.”
Loretta got it, nodding as she stepped inside. There was a big dining table right by the window, and the window was w open, showing off a view that was pretty cool.
Right outside was a field full of tulips, and smack in the middle of all those flowers was a gazebo. Inside, there were w in old–timey outfits playing tunes and dancing around.
Loretta had never been to a place like this before. She’d heard stories about places like this and how they could cost as as the fanciest clubs and restaurants. But seeing it for herself, she thought the view alone was worth every penny.
Gillian followed her in and said, “Ms. Broderick, why don’t you start with some coffee and pastries? We’ll serve the mai meal once Mr. Lindsey gets here.”
Loretta gave a nod and replied, “Thanks a lot.”
Gillian’s grin got even bigger, and she told Loretta, “Just hang out here for a bit. If you need anything, just hit this bell, a someone will come running.” She pointed to the buzzer by the table.
Loretta nodded, and Gillian took off. As soon as the door shut behind her, Loretta turned back to watch the lovely ladies the gazebo.
Loretta knew her way around the piano too, so she could tell the performer was top–notch. The music was so captivating that she got totally lost in it and didn’t even notice when Malcolm came in a little later.
Malcolm glanced over at Loretta sitting by the window. She had on a flowy blouse and light–colored pants, her long hair cascading down to her waist. Her eyelashes were so long they looked like butterfly wings, and they seemed to touch something deep inside Malcolm.
Once the music in the gazebo wrapped up, Loretta snapped out of her trance. She turned toward the door on Instinct and spotted Malcolm making his way in.
Malcolțu was sporting charcoal gray suit pants and a deep blue shirt, with the top two buttons undone, showing a bit of his skin. He looked like a mix of handsome and untamed. His hand were in his pockets, and he checked Loretta out from heas 20 toe, like he didn’t care about manne
Lorena didiry vay daing right away. She watched as he took
cat across from her host as she was about to open her
raduth, Efake ofen hit a baton. There was a knock at the door, and wallet stood there, waiting respectfully low cart lastni
* be asked.
Let’s on the fored gung,” he contended
14:49/ Sun, Dec 22 GGG •
Chapter 33
“Absolutely, I’ll be right back with it,” the waiter responded with a nod.
Malcolm leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, and looked at Loretta once more. Loretta met his gaze, feeling a su urge not to be the one to break the silence.
So they just sat there, quietly sizing each other up for a bit. Then, all of a sudden, Malcolm sat up straight, pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, and put the cigarette between his lips.
Despite his devil–may–care attitude, he surprisingly checked with her, “Do you mind if I smoke?”
Loretta glanced at the cigarette in his hand and threw the question back at him. “If I said I minded, would you put it ou
With a smirk that could get under anyone’s skin, Malcolm replied, “Nope.” Then, with a quick flick of his lighter, he lit u cigarette.
After taking a long drag, he blew out a perfect smoke ring and stared at her through the thin veil of smoke. “I did you a h favor last night, so it’s only fair that you invite me out for dinner at such a place, don’t you think?” he asked.
Loretta’s throat had been acting up, and the cigarette smoke set off a light coughing fit. She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a couple of coughs, her eyes watering a bit from the irLorition.
www
Malcolm’s hand holding the cigarette shook just a bit. His other hand, which was resting on the armrest, clenched for a moment before he turned away, looking a bit ticked off. “Can’t handle a little smoke,” he grumbled, and then he stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray next to him.
Loretta watched his usually stern expression, a small smile playing on her lips before she spoke up. “Malcolm, I invited yo to dinner tonight as a thank you for the help you gave me last night. I’m over Bruno, and I don’t want him doing things th make me feel uneasy.”
Malcolm chuckled, not buying what she was selling. “You’re worried that if he keeps hounding you, you’ll eventually cave, aren’t you?”
“Aren’t you the kind of person who’d
in when their crush hounds
them?” Loretta retorted.
Malcolm’s heart skipped a beat. After a pause, he looked at Loretta with an expression that said, “You must be kidding me,” while keeping his face serious. “Loretta, don’t flatter yourself.”
“Really?” Loretta flipped her hair over her shoulder and suddenly stood up.
Malcolm’s heart skipped a beat, his gaze locked onto her. He couldn’t help but wonder. ‘Is she about to walk out in a huff? Then why did she invite me to dinner?‘
came at the door. She automatically glanced over Loretta had just risen to her feet, ready to take a step, when another knock and saw Cillian, along with a few servers, entering with the food Cillian looked a bit confused to see Loretta standing there.
Loretta had actually been planning to march over to Malcolm’s side. His sharp tongue was getting on her serves, and she wanted to put him in his place. But with the new arrivals, she decided to take her seat again.
Malcolm let out a sigh of relief, surprisingly pleased to see the group that had just entered,
Cillian ween through each dish, giving them a little background what they were about to eat. Once the servers bail pilo everything on the table, she similed and asked. “We have some himenade wine here. Would you like to try you
Lorents politely der lined. “No, thank you?
Gillian then bunked in Maicaine
Malcolm shook bris lead Ten good without a drink
14:49 Sun, Dec 22 GGG.
Chapter 33
Gillian nodded and said, “Then enjoy your meal,” before she and the servers made their exit.
Loretta’s eyes lit up at the sight of the table filled with her favorite dishes. She was dying to dig in, but since she was the footing the bill, she knew she had to wait for Malcolm to start, so she gave him a hopeful look.
Feeling a little flutter in his chest under her gaze, Malcolm picked up his fork, took a bite, and said firmly, “I don’t like ta while I’m eating, so keep your thoughts to yourself.” With that, he concentrated on his meal.
Loretta wasn’t one for chit–chat during meals, and she hoped Malcolm would follow suit. So without further ado, she be her meal.
They ate in a comfortable silence, accompanied by the gentle sounds of a piano playing in the background. Even though there was a bit of an awkward vibe between them, it didn’t dampen Loretta’s enjoyment of her food. She took everything seriously, and that included her meals.
Malcolm watched as Loretta ate with complete focus, slowing his own pace to quietly observe her.
He’d heard people say that having a meal with Loretta in silence, just watching–her, was a pleasure in itself. Now, he had to agree that watching her was indeed quite captivating.
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