“Nooooo,” Grace’s voice rumbled. “She didn’t.”
“Yep. She kept a pretty good eye on herself all through dinner.I’m pretty sure she didn’t absorb anything I said into that self-absorbed brainof hers.”
The waitress came back with their food, slid their plates in frontof them, and asked if they needed anything else. They both declined and shewent on her way.
“Dex, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. The night wasn’t all bad. We had a couple of drinks inthe bar first. There weren’t any mirrors in there.” She let out a laugh andgrinned.
“I promise the next one will be better. She’s an artist.” Sheforked a piece of turkey along with some lettuce and ate it.
“Oh? What kind of artist?”
“Paint. Oils, watercolors, abstracts, portraits. You name it, she paintsit.” At least that’s what Elena had told her. She hadn’t asked to see any ofher work. “I think she has some things hanging in one of the galleries inWicker Park.”
“Cool. They have a lot of contemporary there. Do you know whichgallery?”
Grace shook her head while she chewed another bite and swallowed.“You know me and art. In one ear and out the other.” It was true. Grace had nointerest in art whatsoever. Taking her to a gallery anywhere was the worst kindof punishment.
“Hopefully, this one will be better company than Suzanne.” Dextook a bite of meatloaf and washed it down with a drink of water.
“She will be. I promise.”
“How’s married life?”
“Not much different than before, except now I have to save all mymoney.”
“Really?” Dex raised her eyebrows. “What’s up with that?”
She rolled her eyes. “Brent wants to keep the money I get from myparents for trips and special occasions.” She pushed what he’d said aboutunnecessary spending from her thoughts.
“Sounds reasonable.”
Grace pursed her lips. “But I like shopping and going to lunch.”
Dex’s forehead creased. “Did he say you couldn’t do that?”
“No, not directly, but I know that’s what he meant.”
Dex scooped a forkful of mashed potatoes and held it up in frontof her. “Maybe you should have a conversation with him to clarify that point.”
“I’m not ready for that yet. If he says he wants me to stopshopping and I disagree, we’re going to fight.” She let out a sigh. “We justgot married, and I don’t want to do that.”
“Hiding it from him isn’t good either, Grace. He’ll find outsooner or later. Just have a conversation with him and work it out before itgets too big.”
Grace tilted her head back and forth. “You’re probably right. I’lltalk to him about it.”
They finished eating and fought over the check, and as usual,Grace won out. She didn’t care what Brent said about saving the money she gotfrom her parents. It was her money, and she was going to spend it on what shewanted. Today she wanted to spend it on Dex.
Chapter Seven
Dex cursed the heels she’d worn tonight, although they werethe perfect height for her flowing black pants and form-fitting coral blouse.It had been a while since she’d worn them, and she’d forgotten how theysquished her toes. Every step she took from the parking lot to the restaurantreminded her with a short shot of pain. She couldn’t wait to get seated.
As soon as she was inside, she spotted Elena pacing in front ofthe hostess stand and glanced at her watch. Fifteen till—she was early. Shetook in the view as she moved closer. Elena had worn a chic black dress with arounded neckline and long fitted sleeves. When she paced away, Dex noted thefull skater skirt that had been hidden by the long emerald coat hanging overher arm. She followed the line of her lean legs to see a pair of single-strap,open-toed stiletto heels. She winced. It was a little cold for them, but theycertainly increased the hotness of the outfit. She’d also met a fair amount ofartists in her day, and the style didn’t fit the majority of them.
Elena swung around just as she approached, and Dex was met with adazzling white smile and caramel-brown eyes. She was quite a bit younger thanDex had expected.
“Hi, I’m Dex.” She smiled and offered Elena her hand. “Sorry if Ikept you waiting long.”
“Elena,” she said as she took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze.
After a moment or two of chitchat, Dex caught the bar in herperipheral vision. “Do you want to get a drink first?” The bar was crowded andthey’d have a hard time hearing each other, but she felt she needed to offer.
“The table is ready. How about we get a bottle of wine?”
“Sounds wonderful.” Dex let the maître d’ know they were ready tobe seated, and after a few moments he led them to their table. Maple & Ashwas a sort of contemporary steakhouse that spawned sheer, forest-like, silkdividers from the ceiling to accent the leather decor, which created an elegantdining experience. The menu included traditional dishes that were morphed intomodern cuisine using a wood-fired oven.
As they made their way through the tables, most of them werealready full, as usual. They were seated quickly in a quiet little corner inthe back. Dex would’ve preferred to be in the middle of the restaurant wherethere was more light and distraction, but Grace had set up the reservation, andDex knew changing tables would mean close to an hour wait.
When the waiter came to take their drink orders, they decided toskip the cocktails, and Dex ordered a nice mid-range bottle of merlot on whichthey’d both agreed.
Once the waiter left them alone, Elena started the conversation.“What do you do for a living, Dex?”
“Custom landscaping.”
“That sounds interesting. Do you create your own designs?”
“Most of the time. Sometimes people come to me knowing what theywant already.”
“Seems to me either way would be expensive. That must bechallenging. I mean creating something affordable and eye-pleasing.”
“It can be, depending on the greenery they choose. Some trees
