Page 28 of The Maverick

Rachel looked at Nick and crooked an eyebrow.

He only smiled.

She returned her gaze toward the chef and nodded. “I do.”

The chef turned toward Nick. “And for you, Nicholas?”

“I’ll have the same as Rachel. I’ve never had one of your special plates. I’m excited to see what’s on it.”

Chef Nobu smiled wide. “You will both have the best time tonight. I guarantee it.”

She tried sushi with the fish laid over the top of the rice, several kinds of fish, vegetables and rice rolled in seaweed and then sliced like a yule log. She had a salmon skin hand roll, where the skin of the salmon with some meat on it is crisped in a small oven, filled with fish and vegetables, then rolled up to look like and ice cream cone. She didn’t have one thing that she didn’t like.

After trying eight different kinds of sushi, Rachel was full. “I can’t eat another bite. All the food was wonderful. Thank you so much.”

“It was my pleasure. I enjoy seeing someone new enjoy my food. It is what I live for.”

“This was spectacular, Chef.” Nick placed an arm around the back of Rachel’s chair. “I never would have tried some of those but I’m very glad I did. I think I have some new favorites.”

“Good. What was your favorite, Rachel?”

“The one you served last. The eel, I think you called itunagi.I liked the sweet sauce that you brushed it with.”

The chef nodded. “Very good choice.Unagiis prized in sushi restaurants, and most customers like it. I have one who refers to it as dessert.”

Rachel laughed. “I can understand why. Is that why you served it last?”

Chef Nobu grinned. “It is.”

Nick stood and bowed. “Thank you for a wonderful meal, Chef. I’m sure we will see you again soon. If not here then in LA.”

Chef Nobu bowed back. “I look forward to it.”

Rachel bowed. “Thank you, Chef for a wonderful introduction to sushi. I look forward to seeing you again, too.”

The chef bowed. “I am very glad you liked my food. You have a good palate.”

Nick placed his hand at Rachel’s back and steered her out of the restaurant to their waiting SUV, which took them back to the airport.

On the trip home, Rachel was quiet. She and Nick sat on the sofa together. The TV was on, but the sound was muted.

“Penny for your thoughts,” said Nick.

“I was just thinking how different our worlds are now. You’re a billionaire Nick, and I’m just a doctor.”

“Look at me, Rach.”

She turned toward him, gazed into his eyes, and rested a hand on his arm.

“You’re not just a doctor. You’re the best doctor you can be. You have a great new job, and you’re a great mom, too, if Jake is any indication. And you’re the best, best friend a person could ever have.” He furrowed his brows and took the hand she had on his arm and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly. “So, am I just a billionaire? Does that make you feel differently about me?”

Her cheeks heated. Nick always knew just how to make her blush. Basically, all he had to do was say something nice. “No, you know it doesn’t. I don’t want to be the thing or person that you just settle for. Do you understand?”

“Maybe. You feel like you might have settled for Greg. He was handsome, I assume, and he was your professor, which is all kinds of wrong. I think he saw someone he could train. You were easy pickings for the right man, and he took advantage of your giving nature.”

I’m surprised he figured out our relationship without seeing me and Greg together.“I don’t know. Perhaps. I know I was flattered. But I also thought I was in love with him. What if that is what this is too?”

“First...” He held up the hand that wasn’t around her shoulders. “I’m not Greg. Don’t compare me to him.”