Page 96 of Tanner

Missy walks through the door and is wiping her hands together as if she got them dirty. I doubt it.

“I just spoke to the chef, and he will stretch the meal for four.”

“Chef?” I ask.

She gives me a smirk. “This New York weather is too much for me sometimes. I like my San Francisco fall nights. We bring in a chef when we’re in town, so I don’t have to go out to dinner in the cold.”

I have to bite my tongue to not laugh out loud. I know San Francisco doesn’t get snow like we do here, but we haven’t had any yet, and I was shocked at how nice it is out tonight.

She snaps her fingers at the man standing by the kitchen door. “Set another place for Haley.”

“Harper.” My word falls on deaf ears.

Another waiter appears out of nowhere, carrying a try of hors d’oeuvres. He tells me my options are caviar and crème fraiche tartlets, figs with bacon and chile, or lobster toasts with avocado. He calls me madam as he stands before me with his hand behind his back.

I’ve officially seen it all. I’m so far out of my league here that I’m not even in the stadium.

Edward stands behind an arm chair and looks uncomfortable.

Tanner is still holding my hand, so I’d venture to say that I’m doing okay. Tanner, on the other hand, is tense. I can tell from his posture that he’s on alert.

“So, how long have you been seeing each other?” Missy asks, looking down at our joined hands.

“A while.”

I’m happy with his vague answer.

“Tanner here hasn’t mentioned one word of you,” she speaks at me.

I know her words should sting, but I take Tanner’s advice and don’t show any falter in my emotion. She’s like the mean girls from school, saying anything to get under your skin. Good thing I grew up to be the teacher who knows their hurtful words mean more about them than myself.

“We’ve been enjoying our time alone. Getting to know one another,” Tanner says.

Missy laughs a mysterious laugh. “That’s sweet. Where did you and Hannah meet?”

“Harper and I met where most people in Manhattan meet. At a bar.”

“Do you go to Columbia, too?” she asks as the waiter returns with champagne. She takes one from the tray.

“I’m a fifth grade teacher.” I grab a glass myself.

“An older woman. Edward, isn’t that just perfect for our Tanner? Meeting a woman who’s forty—”

“Thirty,” I correct her and am annoyed with myself.

Missy grins. “You’re older than me.”

“What’s for dinner?” Tanner asks.

I’m thankful that Tanner has changed the subject. He warned me about Missy, but I had no idea she could be like this.

“We’re having A5 Wagyu beef steaks, flown in from Japan. It’s very hard to get it here in the States.” She looks to her husband and holds out a hand, showcasing a massive diamond ring. “It’s divine as long as you can afford it.”

Now, I’m not even sure where the game is taking place. This woman has created her own league, and I’m sure she’s in it all on her own.

The waiter is back with a mountain of caviar.

Tanner passes on having some, and when Missy glances my way, I accept even though I really don’t like the tiny little eggs.