Page 82 of His to Keep
“Really,” I say. “And you’re not imposing. The more the merrier.”
Cara arches a perfectly sculpted brow at me. Luckily, she’s too polite to call me on my bullshit, and instead asks, “What sounds good?”
I hum under my breath as Clint says, “I hear there’s a good Mexican place down the street.”
“Oh, Scar loves?—”
“No!” I practically shout. My cheeks heat with embarrassment over my outburst.Way to look psycho, Scar. “Sorry, I... I just ate it.” More likeI’ll be lucky if I can ever manage to eat Fortuna again, but I digress. “How about sushi?”
Cara groans in delight. “Yes, please. I would kill for a spicy tuna roll.”
Clint hesitates. “I’ve never had sushi, but I’m willing to try anything once.”
“Perfect.” Cara links her arms between both of ours. “I’ll drive.”
We pile into Cara’s car, Clint up front and me in the back, with the radio blasting for the duration of the short drive to Totto’s—our go-to sushi place.
Luck really is on my side today, because we’re able to get a table immediately and in my favorite server’s section.
“Here you are, Ms. Scarlet.” He places my favorite drink—a lychee seltzer water—on the table in front of me. It’s floral and fragrant with just the right amount of sweet.
“Thanks, Kaito.”
He winks. “What can I get you two to drink?”
“I’ll definitely have what she’s having,” Cara says.
“Water for me,” Clint adds, his voice a note deeper than usual.
“Any appetizers?”
Cara asks for an order of Crab Rangoon while I opt for Gyoza.
Kaito turns to Clint. “Anything for you?”
“What do you recommend?” he asks, sounding like his normal self again.
“Big fan of the tempura asparagus, and you can’t ever go wrong with spring rolls.”
Clint deliberates for a minute and then says, “Surprise me.”
“You won’t regret it.” Kaito grins. “Would you like to go ahead and place your order before the rush hits?”
“Yes, please.”
“Your usual?” he asks me, and I nod. There’s nothing more delicious than Totto’s sushi pizza. “You know it.”
“Double hot tuna for me,” Cara says. “Extra spicy mayo, please.”
As if sensing Clint’s hesitation, Kaito jumps in with suggestions. “Might I suggest our Rock-N-Roll roll. It’s shrimp, crab, avocado, and cream cheese, deep fried and topped with spicy mayo and eel sauce. Always a customer favorite.”
“Yeah, man, that sounds good,” Clint says, the relief clear in his voice. “Thanks.”
Kaito leaves, and the three of us fall into easy conversation, talking about everything from work gossip to the new girl Cara’s been seeing to happenings at The Creek, until he returns with our food.
“We’re actually thinking about doing an actual dinner menu. You know, something that’s beyond our standard bar fare,” Clint says, raising his brows.
“Oh, like what?” I ask, leaning in.
