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“No,” I say. As much as I’d like to keep her at my side until her qualifiers, even I know that’s too much to ask. “I like your worth ethic. And I agree, you need a job more suitable to your skills.”

“Good,” she says. “Now, I believe you owe me a first date.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Hazel

The restaurant is one of the fanciest buildings I’ve ever stepped foot in. There are tall glass windows overlooking the Connecticut River and the lights are soft and dimmed, giving the place a cozy, intimate feel.

Our waiter leads us to a table by one of the windows, far away from other groups of guests. Levi pulls my chair out and out of all the things we’ve done in the past week, this is the thing that makes me blush the hardest.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I take a seat.

Levi leans over my shoulder, his hands clutched around the arms of the chair. “Of course, baby.”

I smile and fidget with the napkin on my plate. Every time he calls me baby, I melt just a little more inside. I’ve never been a fan of the pet name, but on Levi’s lips, it suddenly sounds like music to my ears.

He takes a seat across from me and places his napkin in his lap. I do the same as the waiter returns with menus and a fancy glass bottle of water. “My name is Walter. Thank you for dining with us tonight. I’ll give you a moment with the menu, but first, are there any allergies or special events we are celebrating tonight?”

I bite my lip and say, “It’s our first date.”

Walter gasps, ecstatic at the prospect. “Well, may I say, you two make a stunning couple.”

“Thank you,” I say, chuckling.

“Also, she has a dairy allergy,” Levi tells Walter.

My mouth drops open as I stare at him. He remembered. There’s a steady beat to my heart, and it calls out Levi’s name. I’ve never felt more cherished than I do around him.

I swallow down the emotion rising in my throat and tell Walter, “May I please have an elderflower martini? And a Manhattan for my date?”

The waiter finishes pouring water into our glasses and smiles. “Absolutely,” he says, heading for the bar.

I glance at Levi, who’s looking at me with a curious expression. I shrug. “I’ve always wanted to order for someone on a date. It seems so sexy,” I admit, flipping a few curls over my shoulder.

Levi laughs, rolling the sleeve of his shirt to his elbows. “By all means then, I would love to see what else you order for me.”

“Really?” I ask, giddily adjusting in my seat.

“Really,” he says, taking a sip of water. His green eyes roam over my face, trailing down to my cleavage.

I knew this dress was a good choice. It’s one of the best items I own. Blushing, I peruse the menu and shake my head.

“What?” Levi asks, lips twitching, matching my amusement.

“There are no prices listed on this menu.” I lean in and whisper.

He covers his mouth with a palm right as Walter comes back. I try my best not to laugh and pretend like this isn’t the fanciest date I’ve been on.

“What are we thinking?” Walter asks, setting our drinks on the table.

I glance at the menu again and wing the shit out of my order. It’s a steakhouse after all, it’s a safe bet that anything I order will be delicious.

“We’ll start with the Wagyu Beef Tartare and the Flame Beets,” I say.

“Wonderful choices,” Walter says.

“And then we’ll both do the Wagyu Ribeye and an order of the Heirloom Carrots, please,” I say, doing my best not to laugh. Pretending to be rich is very fun.