Chapter 16
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The Caviar Crown n was one of Portmare’s top spots–a restaurant that wasn’t just about nice food but had this cool, laid–back
Inside, the lights were perfect–bright enough to check out your meal, soft enough to feel cozy.
Walking in hit you with this instant boost, like your mood and your stomach were both ready to roll.
Brynn tagged along behind Dominic and the handful of waitstaff leading them in.
She sidled up to him, keeping her voice low and curious. “Okay, what’s the deal? How do you just stroll into a place like this with no reservation?”
The Caviar Crown wasn’t some hole–in–the–wall joint. The manager didn’t just pop out to say hi to randoms, no matter how smooth they talked.
Brynn pecked around. The dining room was dead quiet–nobody else around except their little crew.
Then it clicked: the whole place had been emptied out.
“I know, the owner,” Dominic said with a grin that didn’t even try to play coy.
Brynn’s eyes got big, a mix of “whoa” and “wait, what?” The owner was Declan Harper–son of the Harper family. Big deal
name
They weren’t just loaded, they made other rich people look like they were pinching pennies. And Dominic was tight with a guy like that
Her brain started running. Maybe Dominic wasn’t the chill, regular dude she thought.
‘Could he be some rich kid keeping it low–key?‘ she thought to herself. He never acted broke, sure, but his car and clothes were straight–up normal–nothing screaming moneybags.
Brynn scrunched her face, thinking it over. ‘Is Dominic less discount husband I married‘ and more secret jackpot husband?”
“Declan and I go back to college,” Dominic said, catching her wheels spinning. “Met him there, and we’ve been buddies ever
since.
College pals. That made sense, Brynn thought, things starting to line up.
“Oh, cool,” she said with a little nod, then realized she barely knew the guy. She couldn’t help herself. “So, where’d you go to school?
“Aurelius University,” Dominic tossed out, like it was no biggie.
“Aurelius University?” Brynn’s face lit up, a big grin taking over. “No kidding! That’s awesome–l applied there out of high school. Total dream spot.
Her smile faded a little, her voice dropping. “But, uh, life happened, and I didn’t go.”
Dominic caught that flicker of “what could’ve been in her eyes. Something shifted hi his own exp just a quiet vibe.
“What kept you from going?” he asked, keeping it soft, like he actually cared.
Brynn sighed, tilting her head just enough to avoid his look. Her face got a little heavy for a second.
on–nothing obvious.
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Chapter 16
“Family stuff popped up back then. Totally derailed me she said under her herh
She didn’t dig deeper, and Dominic didn’t pry. He knew righ above the family me to the
He switched gears instead “The food here’s great Get whatever you want rese
By then, they’d hit a private room. Dominic plopped into a chair and gave the managera nod. The my handed Brynn a
She’d heard the buzz about this place but never checked it ont
Now, flipping through, her jaw almost hit the floor. The prices were nots–like, “pown your car nuts.
One dish was over a thousand
Sure, she had some cash saved up, but with everything on her plate lately, dropping that kind of money wasn’t happening
Brynn thought it over for a sec before picking two of the big–deal dishes. “Thesell work I’m not super hungry–been trying to drop a few pounds”
But Domitic wasn’t buying it. He smirked, seeing right through her, and waved it off “Relax, no need to sweat the cash Declan’s got this one.”
“Wait, what?” Brynn blinked, thrown off. “Why’s he paying?”
“He owes me one, Dominic said with a quick wink. “This is his way of settling up. So, go nuts–let’s make it worth it”
Brynn busted out laughing and grabbed the menu back. “You know what? Fair point–got to eat big to slim down, right? Let’s pile it on.”
She went to town, circling every dish that sounded good. These prices were wild–like, once–in–a–blue–moon wild–and she wasn’t about to let it slip by.
Deep down, she was pumped to see if the food was as good as everyone said.
When she was done, she looked up at Dominic. “What about you? Anything you want?”
She slid the menu over, but he just shook his head with a little shrug.
Brynn gave him a confused look until he leaned in, his voice dropping low and warm right by her ear. “If my wife’s into it, I’m into it”
The husky tone and his breath on her skin hit her like a jolt–her face went red, and she shoved him away with a laugh.
Still flustered, she handed her order to the manager.
The manager gave a tight smile, acting like he didn’t see the flirty vibes bouncing around. “Got it. Hang tight, folks.”
Then he ducked out.
Over at his villa, Declan was chilling in the tub when his phone buzzed. The manager filled him in quick
“Yeah, whatever, toss it on my tab,” Declan said, brushing it off like it was nothing before hangit.
But the second the call dropped, his cool–guy act faded.
He groaned, splashing the water. “Seriously, Dominic? You mooch off me enough already–now you’re flaunting your mushy
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Chapter 16
He felt like he’d just eaten a candy–coated ph
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