Page 97 of Tanner

I put some on a spoon and am about to bring it up to my mouth when Tanner whispers in my ear, “Don’t worry. It’s actually not that bad. Here, put it on the toast.”

He hands me a piece and then puts my spoonful of caviar on top. He feeds me the bite, and I’m pleasantly surprised.

“How sweet to help your little girlfriend here eat caviar for the first time. Where do you find these gems?” Missy giggles.

“Dinner is served,” another man says from a room I didn’t see off to the side.

How many people did they hire for just the four of us tonight?

We enter the formal dining room, and I notice Edward stop Tanner at the entrance.

“We need to discuss the company tonight. You know that’s why we’re here.”

“Yes. After dinner,” Tanner says before he walks away to help me with my chair.

The carpet is so plush under the table that it’s hard to move the very big and very heavy chairs.

Missy and Edward take their seats at the far ends of the table, and Tanner sits directly across from me. I hate being so far away from him. Luckily, he has long legs. When I feel his foot tap on my shin, I stretch mine out, and our toes meet in the center of the table.

I smile brightly at him.

He winks with a grin and mouths the words, I love you.

Okay, maybe tonight won’t be so bad.

A salad is placed in front of me, and for a second, I question which fork I’m supposed to use. I’ve seen Pretty Woman. I know this. To make sure, I play with my napkin, laying it just right until Missy picks up her fork so that I can tell.

While Missy made it seem like my presence was an inconvenience to the menu, it turns out, there’s enough food to feed an army. There’s also plenty of merlot, so I drink mine as Missy tells stories of her and Edward’s recent trip to Bali. When the steaks are served, I try not to moan. These people might be pretentious, but they know their beef, and it’s like an orgasm in my mouth.

Tanner laughs at my eye roll. Missy doesn’t notice because she’s talking about a Dior gown that was custom-made for her. She eats morsels of her steak, and I know it’s probably going to go in the trash.

They don’t ask any more questions of me or Tanner. I’m grateful but also surprised. When I see my dad, all he wants to do is talk about me. He asks a thousand questions, and that’s coupled with the fact that we talk nearly every day.

Edward doesn’t even seem interested at all in Tanner’s schooling. Makes sense why he hasn’t realized his kid practically got his diploma six months ago and is taking master’s level classes for fun.

When dessert is served, it is only served to me and no one else. I know I devoured my meal, but I’m not a total glutton. I look up, perplexed.

“Tanner, if we could have a word with you.” Edward stands, and Missy is folding her napkin.

“Here is fine,” Tanner says from his seat.

Edward looks down at him with a pointed finger coming out of the cuff of a fine Italian suit. “We have family business to discuss.”

“It’s okay, Tanner. I’ll wait here,” I say, making a show of putting a piece of crème brûlée on my spoon.

Missy stands. “See, Hedda will be fine here with the staff.”

“It’s Harper,” Tanner roars. It’s very un-Tanner-like.

“She’s lucky I’m letting her stay at my table and not sending her into the servants’ quarters while we discuss important matters!” Edward growls.

I pause mid-bite, shocked at what he said.

“Dad!” Tanner yells. “I cannot believe you just said that. Have you lost all manners?”

I stand from my seat. “It’s okay. You three stay here. I can go in the other room if it’s easier.”

“No.” Tanner rises with his hand stretched out to put us all in our places. “Harper is here with me. I have no doubt she will be a part of my life, and if I’m going to decide if I move back to San Francisco to work for Sexton Media or stay here, I want her to know every detail, so we can make that decision together.”