Page 169 of Wrecked
“I have a lovely cognac that pairs well with our complimentary birthday dessert,” Georgia said. “What can I bring you from the bar?”
Addison ordered a Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay. Hawk, a Bombay Sapphire dry martini with a twist. Georgia vanished to fill the order as the maître d’ returned with her dad.
She and Hawk stood.
“Happy birthday, Daddy,” she said as she hugged him. He held her an extra second, then kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, dear,” her dad replied.
Hawk pulled him in for a hug. “Happy birthday, Philip.”
Addison watched as the most important and influential man in her life smiled warmly at Hawk. “Good to see you, Nicholas.”
Nicholas?
Hawk seated her before he sat back down.
The attendant scurried over with their drinks. “Welcome, sir. What can I get you?”
“Coffee, black,” her dad replied.
The server left.
“How many bodyguards do you have tonight?” she murmured.
“None,” he replied.
“How’d you manage that?” she asked.
“I’m not on official business.”
“They don’t know you’re out, do they?” Hawk asked.
A sly smile filled Z’s face. “I escaped the castle.”
“Don’t you mean the dungeon?” Hawk asked.
Both men laughed.
She couldn’t remember the last time her father laughed out loud. It was like she’d been dropped into an alternate universe.
The attendant returned with a cup, saucer, and a carafe. After pouring the piping hot coffee, he ran through the dinner specials. Since no one had looked at the menu, he left.
They grew silent as they read through the options.
“If you order the—” she began.
“Beef Wellington,” Hawk interjected.
She smiled. “I’ll get the—”
“Lobster and salmon ravioli.”
“Perfect.”
They set down their menus to find her dad eyeing them. “That was interesting.”
“We’ve been doing this for years,” she said. “I can never decide, so we share.”
