Chapter Sixty Seven
Celeste’s POV
“That’s not my gra-” Molly started.
But a second later, Ryan had swiftly picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Her legs kicked in the air as she erupted into a fit of girlish giggles.
“Uncle Ry–Ry! I wanna say goodbye!” She squealed.”
I watched in astonishment as he carried Molly to the other side of the car.
He shifted her weight to open the door. “Sorry, Mols. You’re going to be late for your piano lesson.”
“But piano is only in-”
Ryan hauled her off his shoulder and carefully placed her in the backseat. He leaned over as he did his niece’s buckle, whispering something I couldn’t make out.
When closed the door, he turned to Mr. Edwards.
“You should go, father.” He said, coming around to stand beside me.
The older man gave a friendly nod, then started the engine and the luxury black car rolled away.
Ryan’s cheeks were flushed when I turned to him.
“What’s the rush? You could have let her say goodbye.” I said, a brow raised sharply.
Bonnie grumbled from behind my legs. “And I wanted to draw with Molly!”
He shrugged apologetically. “Her grandfather had to make a last stop before taking her to her piano lesson.”
“Well, I’m glad your father has such an understanding boss who lets him drive his granddaughter around in his Rolls Royce on company time.” I said, finding the situation unsettling.
Ryan nodded with a tight smile. “His new job has its perks.
“Where was he working before to pick up that accent?” I asked, not recalling him having one when we were neighbors.
Ryan ran a hand through his hair, shrugging.
“My father worked in all sorts of jobs…” He trailed off, and then his face suddenly brightened. “To make up for disrupting Bonnie’s plans with her friend, why don’t I take us all out for dinner?”
Bonnie bounced beside me, but I couldn’t help but hesitate. It didn’t feel right to let my assistant pay for our dinner, especially when his family was struggling financially.
I shook my head. “That’s not necessary-”
“Please, Celeste, let me say thank you for everything you’ve done.” He asked, flashing a dimpled smile. “My father has a cushy job now, and I’m working for a hot new designer, so please let me treat you ladies.”
“That sounds lovely, but count me out.” Grace waved him off, but shot me a wink. “I need to discuss a couple of custom orders with new clients.”
Then she leaned near my ear, flashing a devilish grin.
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter Sixty Seven
“And I don’t want to be the third wheel. Enjoy your date, love.” She whispered before heading back inside. Tturned to Ryan, flustered by Grace’s insinuation. “I guess it’s just the three of us.”
The overhead lights bathed the restaurant in a warm glow. A waiter dressed to the nines led us to a tabled set with polished cutlery and shining crystal glasses. He pulled out chairs for Bonnie and me to sit on one end of the table, and sat, feeling spoiled..
“Dad, please have a seat here.” He said, placing a napkin in front of the chair across from me.
As Ryan settled into his seat, Bonnie corrected the waiter, her little face serious.
“He’s not my dad.” She said firmly.
The waiter immediately apologized, but my eyes were on Ryan. His only reaction was a slight pause as his fingers ran over the menu. A faux pas would make Damien explode at the staff, but Ryan nodded graciously and placed our orders.
“I feel a little out of place in such an upscale fine dining restaurant.” I admitted, sipping sparkling water from a highball glass.
“You’re the finest delicacy here, Celeste.” He said, his voice dropping an octave. “Once I had a taste, I craved nothing else.”
I choked on my water, and Bonnie patted my back while Ryan let out a deep chuckle. He shot me a cheeky wink when I recovered, and I sent him a death glare.
My mouth watered at the sight of the ribeye steaks the waiter served each of us. Bonnie stared at the huge chunk of meat with wide eyes, glancing with uncertainty at the knife and fork.
“Allow me, Miss Bonnie.” Ryan said, before expertly cutting her steak into bite–sized pieces.
He made quick work of mine too and placed my plate in front of me.
“Enjoy, ladies.” He said, throwing us charming smiles.
The juiciness of the meat blew me away. We ate in harmony until Bonnie wrinkled her nose at the sauteed vegetables artfully arranged on her plate.
She shoved a carrot onto Ryan’s plate with her fork, stealing glances at him from under her lashes. He scrutinized the carrot before eating it. When she slipped him another, he stabbed it with his fork and chewed seriously, only to gasp in disbelief as it reappeared on his plate.
Bonnie burst into a fit of giggles, and I couldn’t help but smile at the pair.
Just then, our waiter returned, placing a gold bowl of caviar on ice before us with a flourish. I eyed the gold flakes on the dish.
“Ryan, did you order this?” I asked, doubtful he would splurge on something so ostentatious.
A scoff came from behind us. “That poser couldn’t afford a dish like this.”
The waiter moved aside to reveal Damien, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit and his signature sneer.
“I ordered this treat for the happy family.” He said, sweeping the table with a haughty glare.
