Which, ironically, is exactly the opposite of what I was trying to do.
I grit my teeth, considering whether Murphy made a genuine error. He broke up with his ex six months ago. Maybe the place was sold since he came here with her and the new owner decided to give it a revived look. An extremely tacky and flashy one, no doubt.
Or did my brother do it on purpose? I probably shouldn’t have revealed to him that Eva was put off by the billionaire lifestyle. It could be that Murphy chose to create an extra challenge for me.
I harden my grip on the wheel.
It really doesn’t matter. I was the idiot for enlisting Murphy’s help. I should have just picked a simple coffeehouse in town or something. Nobody forced me to drive to this isolated country club for the newly rich.
But I wanted my time with Eva to be special. I had planned for it to take place somewhere impressive but with an understated charm that would appeal to Eva. I definitely wanted to avoid the money-flashing crowd. Then when Murphy came up the suggestion about Swan Lake, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Murphy described the location as “a pearl nestled on a reservoir as blue as the Apache lake.” He said it was small enough to preserve a cuddly and authentic feel. He even raved about their croque-monsieur toast and creamy cappuccino. All in all, it sounded like an ideal place to take Eva.
My gaze moves to the fountain with four naked female statues situated in front of the posh entrance, and I cringe inwardly. Every inch of its outer side is covered in sparkling stones, perhaps glass, but more likely Swarovski crystals or gems.
I should have googled it. I should’ve friggin’ googled it.
“Oh, Murphy, Murphy! What have you done?” I murmur inaudibly. At least I think it’s inaudible, when in reality I must have spoken strong enough for Eva to hear.
“Murphy?” she asks. “What did your brother do?”
I clear my throat. “It was my brother who recommended this venue.”
Eva furrows her brows. “I thought you said we’re going to a small coffeehouse?”
“That’s what I thought, too.” I swallow. “Obviously Murphy mixed things up.”
And that’s putting it mildly. My brother even got the name wrong. The giant letters above the arch of the entry read Flamingo Lake, not Swan Lake.
I stop my car in front of the monster fountain and wait for one of the valets.
There are so many of them flickering around, rushing to park the countless Hummers and Ferraris rolling in that they make the parking look like a giant anthill. Or perhaps like an exotic termite mound, considering the gaudy red velvet uniforms they’re wearing.
“Did someone sculpt the face of Kim Kardashian on that one?” Eva points at the fountain.
I follow her finger and the dingy thing decides to spit water just as I go to answer her. The drops come out the sculpture’s mouth and nipples in the colors of the rainbow, enhancing the blatant exaggeratedness of the whole to an unbearable level.
I stifle a groan. “Uhmm…yes. I think it’s safe to assume that the owner is a fan of KUWTK.”
Eva giggles. “Yes, and that he has a fetish for things that scream look-at-me-I’ve-got-money-but-no-taste.” To my relief, her voice is more amused than annoyed.
Does she realize I’m just as dismayed and put off by this place as she is? In case she doesn’t, maybe I should make it clear. “This”—I wave toward the fountain—“is not at all what I had in mind when I invited you out. We can go somewhere else…” I break off.
Before suggesting anything, I should consider where we could go. We drove half an hour to this isolated lake, and I’m not sure there is anywhere else around here to grab a coffee other than the Starbucks I saw when we exited the highway.
A valet taps on my window. His bowtie dips forward as he salutes us. “May I take your keys, sir?” He holds out his palm.
I roll down my window and shake my head. “Actually, I’m not sure we’re staying. This place is just…uhm…” I’m looking for the right words, but the only ones that come to mind are “showy” and “flaunting.” I don’t want to offend the man by calling his workplace that.
Eva comes to my aid. “We were looking for something more quiet, just to have a cup of coffee or tea. Do you know anyplace like that nearby?”
She bends across me slightly to meet the man’s eyes. As she does, a scent so enticing and appetizing wafts over me that I have to press my back to my seat to stop leaning into her neck and sniffing at her.
The valet eyes my car, then his squirrel face takes in our clothes. A sympathetic smile appears on his lips. “Well, you’re not dressed appropriately, anyway. You’ll have better luck with that small bistro at the end of this road.” From the way he speaks, it sounds like he isn’t happy about his ridiculously fancy attire either.
“Where is it exactly?” I ask.
“It’s located on the opposite side of the lake. Way more relaxed than this establishment. It’s called the Swan Lake.”
Oh, shoot. Have I been too quick to judge my brother?
“Okay, thanks for the tip,” I say and roll up my window.
I get out of the parking lot and step on the gas. In less than seven minutes, we’ve arrived to our destination. This time for real.
“Now that’s more like it,” I murmur.
Eva is also grinning. “What a lovely little teahouse. And look at those orchids. I can’t
