Free Expecting Eternity (Vamp Life #2) by Jez Strider Page B

to be a vampire, but I couldn’t discern it myself.  One thing was certain.  He wasn’t as shocked to see me as I was to see him.
    Marcus was oblivious to anything out of the ordinary.  He was too busy examining every aspect of the interior of the car.
    We arrived at the restaurant and a valet parked the vehicle.  Christophe slipped his arm around Taya.    As we entered the building, I was able to get the full view of my friend.  I mean, I guess she was my friend.  What would be more appropriated?  Accomplice?  Anyway, I was green with envy.  Her silver dress hung on every curve perfectly. A mid-thigh slit was on the right side.  To put it bluntly, I was pissed off.  I wasn’t used to being second best.
    “Please tell me this place doesn’t have like thirty different pieces of silverware.”  Marc grumbled into my ear.   He didn’t seem to be admiring Taya’s figure as he had when they first met.  Smart man.
    I smiled, hiding my inner turmoil.  “I’ll help you.  Don’t worry. ”  The brief rundown I gave him of what each utensil was for only made him that more distraught.
    He shook his head.  “What the hell did I get myself into ?”
    The maître d’ seated us quickly.  In fact, everyone seemed a little nervous to have their boss dining in the restaurant.  It reminded me of Gordon Ramsay visiting his own place, but with less cursing involved.  I couldn’t picture Christophe going on a tirade like Gordon, but then again, I hadn’t seen him a long time.
    “We’ll have a bottle of the Romanée Conti.”  Christophe closed the wine menu without even looking it over.
    The waiter gave a small bow.  “Very fine choice, sir.”  His gaze drifted over to me.  “What would you like, my lady?”
    The night and my mood were not improving.  A three thousand dollar bottle of wine and I couldn’t even have any. 
    “ Badoit will be fine, thank you.”  I told the waiter, ordering a bottle of French mineral water.
    “May I get anyone anything else?”  The waiter asked before being dismi ssed with a wave from his boss.  So far the service was great and the interior of the restaurant was beautiful.  I had never been able to enjoy France when I’d been a prisoner there.
    Christophe smiled warmly at me.  “Do not worry, dear Evelina.  I’ll send you a bottle when you’re no longer with child.”
    Hearing me referred to as Evelina caught Marc’s interest.  Now that he was no longer distracted by the vehicle, he was paying attention.  “Christophe…”  Marcus said softly as he appeared to be thinking.  “You’re the guy that saved Evelyn in Ver…sails.”  That’s exactly how he mispronounced it, too.  I thought it was cute.  No one corrected the mistake.
    “Probably not the best time or place to discuss history, hun.”  Once again, reading my journal had left him knowledgeable of my past.   Marc opened his mouth to protest, but didn’t, returning to looking over the menu.  I didn’t think my history with Christophe would bother him quite as much as it did with Antonio.  I hadn’t been head over heels for Chris.
    The waiter returned to serve the drinks.  I was glad for the conversation to be interrupted.   We weren’t ready to order, so he was sent away once more.
    Marc appeared agitated as he looked over the menu.  Everything was in French and there were no pictures.  My own fluency in the language was rusty.  I never had cause to use it anymore.
    “Perhaps you could order for everyone, Christophe.”  I said. 
    Immediately, Marcus was nodding in agreement.   “I’m sure you know what’s best to eat here.”
    “Yeah, Chris.   That’s sounds like a good idea to me, too.”  Taya spoke up.
    “As you wish.”   When the waiter returned, Christophe ordered several delicacies, including chariot de fromage and bouillabaisse to follow.  Basically, a fancy cart of cheese and some fish soup.  It sounds so much more decadent in French.
    Taya grinned