“I own the entire building.”
She arches a brow. “That takes some commitment. Do you have more?”
I glance between them both cautiously, still waiting for the conversation to combust somehow. Ray takes a sip of water before answering properly.
“Most of my time’s spent between the casino, the clubs and property developments.”
Lucy arches a brow. “And outside of work?”
He pauses, like the question genuinely stumps him. “I spend time with Sebastian,” he says eventually.
“That’s not a hobby,” Lucy replies.
“No, but it’s a full-time job on top of work. That’s why I have a nanny. For that I feel incredibly guilty, and so I try to spend as much time with him as possible, even if he does make me play Mario Kart.”
I blink in surprise. “You play Mario Kart?”
Ray glances at me like I’ve personally offended him. “I’m excellent at Mario Kart.”
Catherine snorts. “No, you absolutely are not.”
“I win regularly.”
“Against a child.”
“It still counts.”
I laugh before I can stop myself. The sound makes Ray look at me immediately. And for a second, the rest of the restaurant fades into the background. The warmth in his eyes catches me off guard.
Lucy clears her throat dramatically. “So, apart from crushing children at video games, what else?”
Ray finally relaxes slightly into his chair. “I box sometimes.”
“That I can believe,” Lucy mutters.
“And . . .” He hesitates again, almost reluctant. “I cook.”
I turn towards him fully. “You have a cook,” I correct. “It’s not the same thing.”
Catherine smiles knowingly. “He cooks very well, actually.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’ve been gatekeeping,” I say suspiciously. “You told me you couldn’t cook, you even hired your chef to show us.”
Ray shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Well, I knew you wouldn’t take instruction from me so . . .”
I grin, shaking my head. “Can you cook proper food or just billionaire breakfast?” asks Lucy.
“Lucy,” I hiss, mortified.
“What? It’s an important question.”
Ray’s mouth twitches again. “Proper food. I’m actually terrible at simple things like breakfast.”
“Interesting,” she murmurs.
The waiter arrives with our starters then, placing plates around the table while the scent of garlic and tomato instantly fills the air.
Lucy waits until he’s gone before speaking again.