Free Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance by Madison Hartt, Evan Asher

all Jean Pierre’s dream. He built it from the ground up.”
    “Well, he did a fantastic job.”
    Maylene beamed.
    They were still seating themselves when Ty joined them. “Shall I order wine?” he asked.
    “Please do,” Maylene said as Gage snorted softly.
    A light white wine was served as Jade scanned the menu. Ty looked at a menu also though Jade assumed he knew it as well as Maylene and Gage. He wanted her to feel comfortable.
    Maylene ordered six of each: Oysters Bordelaise, Rockefeller Bienville Fonseca, and Louisiana Oysters on the Half-shell for the table.
    Jade scanned the menu, nervous. She’d never eaten most of the items offered but she didn’t want to seem finicky. At last, she chose catfish pecan served with sautéed shrimp, popcorn rice, Creole meuniere, and seasonal vegetables. Maylene had the paneed veal & Crab with mashed Yukon potatoes, asparagus, lemon butter and jumbo lump crabmeat. Gage ordered the gulf fish Iberville with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, shrimp, and lemon beurre blanc. Ty chose the twelve-ounce rib eye with pommes frites and andouille sausage, which earned him a scathing glance from Gage. Evidently he expected Ty to order seafood and was not happy when he chose differently, which was probably exactly why Ty did so. With a surge of annoyance, Jade wondered if Gage thought he needed to control everyone’s choices.
    Conversation was surprisingly pleasant during the meal. Gage seemed to have determined a truce was called for and smiled and joked along with Ty. At last, when they were full to bursting, their waiter asked if they desired dessert.
    “I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.” Jade put a hand over her flat stomach.
    Maylene agreed but insisted they come another time. “You must try the Bananas Foster Torte. It’s banana cake with banana cream, brown sugar frosting, and Foster sauce.”
    “It’s spectacular,” Gage agreed.
    “We can stop in for some when we go out, if you want,” Ty said, causing both Gage and Maylene to pause as they were getting to their feet.
    “Out?” Gage asked, frowning.
    “That’s right,” Ty smiled. “Jade’s agreed to see Bourbon Street with me.”
    “Oh, has she?” Gage looked deeply into Jade’s eyes, causing her to blush.
    She answered for Ty. “She has. Do you have an issue with that?”
    “No, no.” Gage shook his head. “Just be sure to stay where there are people.”
    “Meaning what?”
    “Meaning nothing,” Ty jumped in. “Gage is just sorry he didn’t think to ask you himself.”
    But Jade wondered. Was Ty dangerous in some way? Surely not, or Maylene would insist she stay home and she didn’t say a word. Although, Jade noticed she didn’t look completely pleased.
    “Shall we go?” Gage held open the door and they made their way back to the street where both vehicles.
    They went directly to a swank old-fashioned club with old-time big band ambiance. A table was reserved for them at the edge of the inset dance floor and in clear sight of the stage that was crowded with musicians taking their places. Candlelight graced the tabletops and the lights were dim. Gage held Maylene’s chair for her. Jade couldn’t help but smile when he frowned as Ty did the same for her. All this gallantry , she thought. And competitiveness.
    The group ordered drinks, wine for Jade and Maylene, a gin and tonic for Gage, and Jack and Coke for Ty. At Maylene’s frown, Gage assured her he would stop after two, since he would be driving. Ty said nothing.
    The music started. The saxophones, trumpet, and trombones competed with the rhythm section. For a while, the foursome watched as a few couples stepped down to the dance floor. The band played some swing classics and Jade clasped her hands together, awed over some of the moves the dancers made. Maylene clapped in pleasure and Ty whistled loudly.
    Sophisticated Lady by Duke Ellington started and Ty rose to his feet, a hand held out to Maylene who accepted it at once.
    “Shall we?”