Felix’s eyes narrowed. “No. It’s not that sort of establishment.”
“That’s right. And as far as I’ve heard, it’s going great guns, unlike the fancy French place there before.”
Felix chewed on his bottom lip. She’d made a good point, but he wasn’t about to tellherthat. “What’s wrong with trying to educate local palates when they aren’t having to pay for it?”
Now, Thea was the one to narrow her eyes. “What do you mean? We all have to pay the ticket price.”
“Yes, but I’ll cater the night for free, meaning all the profits go to the school. It’s the least I can do.” He sat back, gratified to see Thea’s mouth hanging open. “Plus, it’ll keep Persephone Murray off my back for at least a year.”
At his words, Thea laughed. Actually laughed. The smile on her face made his toes curl inside his Italian leather shoes.
“I think Persephone would like to do a little more than be on your back.”
A wicked grin accompanied her words, and despite the slight heat that touched his face, he couldn’t deny how sexy a smile looked on Thea. “Persephone Murray will get nowhere near my back or any other part of my body. She tried to call me last night. Twice. Wanted to discuss the menu.”
“Oh, I’m sure she did,” Thea giggled. “Well, there’s no need to worry about dessert. I hear she’s organised a chocolate fountain to rival the one outside Buckingham Palace.”
“A fountain? Those things are a heart attack waiting to happen. Cheap chocolate infused with vegetable oil. It’s a monstrous concoction.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but she was very insistent in her email. Did you see it?”
He nodded slowly. “I saw it. And I think I’ll send anything from Ms. Murray straight to the spam folder from now on.”
Thea’s cheeks lifted, and the dimples he’d noticed earlier deepened in the cosy lighting of the wall sconces. “Spam? Now you’re talking. Spam fritters would be far more appropriate for the locals than gorgonzola chocolate stuffed figs dipped in whatever you said.”
Felix crinkled his nose. “Now you’re just mocking me.”
“I am,” Thea said, a cheeky glimmer in her eyes and her voice husky. At the sound, Felix’s dick nudged at his flyagain. Damn. What was going on? Had someone spiked the tap water? He should stick to his usual brand of spring. He’d had a shipment sent down from London.
Hold up, though, were they having a civil conversation? Bantering with smiles? Neither of them had thrown a veiled insult for at least two minutes. As if she realised the shift in dynamic, Thea’s lips flatlined.
Felix ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s assuming, of course, you can find suitable wines to match my menu. I’m not sure The Five Bob or Daniel Cunningham will have adequate supplies or good enough taste.”
Thea tipped her head to one side, studying him. “You leave Daniel to me.”
“Gladly. Amber would have far more of an idea. Have far better taste. Best chat with her first.”
Thea huffed. “Yes, but I’m not sure she’d want much to do withyouthese days.”
The accusation in her eyes returned, and a thick bile burned in Felix’s throat. A buzzing from inside his jacket sounded out like an angry wasp.
Thea stared at him. “You’re quite in demand for a restaurant owner. Do you have more than one?”
Felix knit his brows together. Did Theareallynot know who he was? Or what he did? Why would she, though? There weren’t many five-star hotels or Michelin-starred restaurants around Tottenbridge. She’d be more likely to subscribe toGoat Keepers WeeklythanCondé Nast Traveler. Their paths would never have crossed in real life.
“I own a few,” he replied, hoping to remain sketchy on the details. He didn’t want to give her any more ammunition to mock him for being “fancy.”
“Really? Where? To be honest, I guessed as much. They wouldn’t let you be onBeelzebub’s Pantrywithout some reputation to back it up.”
Another rude buzzing came from his jacket, and Thea glowered. “This is infuriating. I don’t care how many restaurants you own. It might be nice to have a conversation without your phone going off every twenty seconds.”
Most of the other customers had left by now, and when his phone buzzed yet again in the cafe's quiet, Thea rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in exasperation.
Felix sucked in his lips. “It’s my ex. She can be…demanding.” The slight wobble in his voice caught him by surprise.
Thea lifted her eyebrows. “I can’t imagine why.” She shoved back her chair with a squeak on the floor and stood, straightening her shoulders. “Look, I’ll leave you to it. Get my email address from Persephone. Send me your menu as soon as you can.”
She was leaving? Just like that? Dumbstruck, Felix nodded. Thea dipped her head in response, and her eyes moved to his plate. “Are you going to finish your doughnut?”
