Chapter:83: far away
Elena
I stumbled back, nearly dropping my tablet.
Cornell only smirked, a slow, deliberate curl of his lips that promised this was far from over.
"Do my lips entice you that much," he said with a satisfied expression on his face.
But before I could say anything the elevator doors swung open. Grabbing my hand again he led me out. Luckily the office ground floor was half empty and there were few eyes seeing us make our way out.
"Where are we going?" I asked, stumbling slightly in my heels as he led me toward the glass doors.
"To dinner," he said, not even glancing back.
"Dinner where? That wasn't just some figure of speech?" I asked, jogging to match his strides.
"You'll find out when we get there."
We got to the parking lot, leaving my hand, he got ahead and opened the door of his sleek black Mercedes for me, gesturing with his head, "Come on, get in."
I sighed dramatically, slipping into the passenger seat. "This had better be worth the suspense."
He chuckled, shutting the door behind me. "Don't you trust me?"
Turning to face him. "Erm, No," I said folding my arms.
"That hurts," he said making sure to clutch his chest dramatically.
"Oh please," I rolled my eyes at him.
He smiled before turning around to the driver's seat.
The drive was long. The city thinned out and lights became more scattered. I glanced over at him once, then again. "You're driving us halfway across the country for dinner?"
"I promise it would be worth the wait," he didn't look at me but said reassuringly.
Pulling into the curved driveway of a hidden gem of a restaurant nestled between high-end boutiques in a ritzy district. A valet opened my door before I could even reach for the handle.
"La Culla," my mind read the gold sign as Cornell offered his hand to me. He gave his keys to the valet to park his car while we walked up the marble steps. The name didn't ring a bell—until I glanced at the menu by the entrance.
I blinked. "Wait… this place serves Tagliatelle al Tartufo?"
"Yes," he answered not hiding the smug look on his face. "Still one of your favorites, right?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "How do you even remember that?"
"You once made me walk six blocks in the rain to get it for you," he replied easily. "Some things stick."
I didn't know what surprised me more—his memory or the fact that he'd gone through the trouble of bringing me here.
We were seated at a private corner booth, far from the rest of the dining crowd, the warm lighting casting a soft glow around us. I glanced at the menu again even though I already knew what I wanted.
The waiter came quickly and took our orders. Once we were alone again, I leaned forward. "Thank you," I said. "For the signed deal."
He smiled. "It's nothing. I'm looking forward to working with you." His eyes twinkled as he reached for his wine glass.
His words seemed to hold more meaning, brushing the thought away, I tried to hide my smile by sipping my water.
Cornell leaned back, his eyes scanning me like he was trying to solve a riddle, making me self conscious. Just when I was about to ask why he was looking at me that way, the waiter brought our food. The scent of truffle hit me before the plate even touched the table. My stomach gave a loud growl—again. Embarrassed that I couldn't lift my head.
He chuckled lightly. "What are you waiting for, dig in."
Pushing my embarrassment aside, I cut into the pasta and took the first bite. Pure bliss. Not paying mind to Cornell I ate to my heart's content.
"I'm glad not much has changed over the past 7 years," he said looking at me as though he found a treasure he'd lost.
I glanced at him. "Well only one of us can say that."
He raised a brow at my comment. "Are you saying I've changed?"
I shrugged, swirling my fork in the creamy pasta. "You tell me. Are you the same guy from seven years ago?"
He kept silent as though affirming my statement before a smirk crept up his lips. "I hope I'm still to your taste?"
I rolled my eyes at him. "Stop playing around and eat your food."
The rest of the meal passed with light conversation, then a low rumble of thunder. The rain had started lightly tapping against the tall glass windows beside us, but not long after it got heavy.
By the time we were done and heading out, the air had turned cool and the wind strong.
"Oh great," I sighed. "The car is parked across the lot," I added.
Cornell looked up, seemingly unconcerned. "Guess we're walking in the rain."
"What, No," I said immediately.
He looked back at me. "We can make a run for it. Or I'll carry you. Either works,"
"You wouldn't dare," I said, narrowing my eyes.
"I'm doing this for you," he said, his eyes darting between my face and the high heels I was wearing. " I doubt you'd find running in that comfortable."
He had a point, but being carried by him was…
My thoughts got interrupted when he took his jacket off and placed it on me.
"You're thinking too much about this," he said smiling. "Shall we?"