Maya
MINOR ANTAGONISMS ASIDE, SEBASTIAN AND I SETTLEDinto a surprisingly easy rhythm over the next three weeks. We already knew how the other worked, and our meetings were actually productive once he stopped rage-baiting me.
Thanks to him, we got Derek Gardiner to create the recipes for the frozen foods collab. The handsome, award-winning chef was the perfect person to headline a national campaign, and I had to give Sebastian my reluctant props. As annoying as his golden-boy status was, his connections did come in handy sometimes.
“I heard this place is the best date spot in town,” Nikhil said. “I hope you like it.”
I blinked, disoriented by the sudden conversation.Right. I wasn’t at work, and I wasn’t with Sebastian.
I was on another date, this time with a doctor whom my mother assured me was “one of the most eligible bachelors in the tri-state area.” The last man she set me up with had a Napoleon complex and a penchant for mansplaining every dish on the menu, so I took her words with a grain of salt.
Nevertheless, I firmly pushed aside thoughts of a certainFrenchman and smiled at my companion. “I’m sure I’ll love it,” I said as we entered the restaurant in question.
Nikhil gave his name to the hostess, who checked us in and led us to our table in the center of the dining room.
Brasserie M was the city’s latest restaurant du jour. New York cycled through new hotspots every few months, but the intimate bistro had kept its chokehold on people ever sinceMode de Vienamed it “the most romantic restaurant in the U.S.”
Ambiance-wise, I could see it. It was only big enough for a dozen or so tables, and the dim lighting, cozy seating, and soft background music lent it an air of sexy elegance. I recognized several other diners, including a famous news anchor, a Tony Award-winning actress, and Charles Whitaker, my father’s business rival. He was having dinner with his wife and didn’t seem to have noticed me.
“So, I hear you’re a surgeon,” I said after we placed our orders. “That must be exciting. Tell me the truth: how accurate isGrey’s Anatomy?”
Nikhil laughed. “Not that accurate, I’m afraid. I mean, in the first episode alone…” He launched into a long-winded explanation of every detail the show got wrong.
I kept my smile in place even as my eyes glazed over. I’d promised my mom I would give my dates a fair chance instead of dismissing them from the start, but so far, none had passed my first test.
I asked them about themselves and waited to see how long it took for them to ask me something about my life. The answer was usually never.
Nikhil was still going on aboutGrey’s Anatomyand his own medical training after our appetizers came.
Aaaand another one bites the dust.
I sipped my wine and looked around, already counting downthe minutes until the night was over.
I knew I should’ve asked my friends to give me an out. I usually had Sloane or Ayana call after thirty minutes so I could leave for an “emergency” if necessary, but my mom had been relentless since Priya’s engagement. If she found out I’d cut the dinner short, she’d murder me.
To be fair, Iwantedthese dates to work. They just… never did. You couldn’t force chemistry and compatibility, no matter how much your family prayed, cajoled, and pressured you to.
“Good evening.” A smooth, deep voice interrupted a nightmarish daydream of my mom and aunties lined up in front of me like a tribunal.
Verdict: Guilty of depriving us of bragging rights, future grandchildren/nieces and nephews, and the opportunity to outshine our friends’ daughters’ weddings.
Sentence: An eternity of blind dates with interchangeable, self-absorbed men.
I shook off the image as the voice continued. “How are you enjoying your dinner so far?”
Wait one fucking minute.
My head snapped to the left, where amber eyes and a devilish smile greeted me.
You’ve got to be kidding me.“What—”
“It’s good so far, but we haven’t had our entrees yet.” Nikhil chuckled, oblivious to my sputtering shock. “I guess we’ll see if this place really lives up to the hype.”
“I certainly hope so,” Sebastian said without missing a beat. “I saw you ordered our mushroom bourguignon and gratin dauphinois. Both excellent choices.” He retrieved two business cards from his breast pocket and placed them in front of us. “My name is Sebastian. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask for me. Enjoy the rest of your meal.”
He smirked at me on his way past.
I flipped him off under the table, and his low laugh grated on me long after he was gone.