Derek was genuinely happy that Fryderyk chose to stay. When called out, he immediately nodded enthusiastically and grinned, “Yeah, yeah, Fryderyk and I are way closer than Lennox. Right, Fryderyk?”
Compared to Lennox, Fryderyk did prefer Derek. He gave a slight nod, and Derek instantly beamed,
dial beame rek ma
As the dishes arrived, the naturally reticent foursome lapsed into an even deeper silence. Only Derek made earnest attempts to spark conversation, occasionally drawing terse responses from the others.
Once he started digging into Amour Bistro’s new dishes, he didn’t even have time to talk.
mouths.
When Caleb and Owen simultaneously placed the peeled shrimp and crab in front of Aria, Fryderyk and Derek froze mid–bite, their forks halfway to their
Caleb shelled the shrimp while Owen prepared the crab.
Derek glanced at the table and quipped, “Can’t let you two hog all the spotlight. Let me see what other shellfish we’ve got here.”
Aria flicked Derek on the head with her finger. “Just eat and stop fooling around.”
“Sure thing!” Derek chuckled with a goofy grin.
Halfway through the meal, a knock sounded on the private room door.
Assuming it was the waiter, Caleb casually called out, “Come in.”
The door swung open, revealing a stylishly dressed woman.
“Hello, everyone. I’m Amanda Ward,” she said with a smile.
After introducing herself, her gaze went straight to Fryderyk, her eyes softening noticeably.
“Me too!” A little girl peeked out and chirped.
A soft, sweet voice chirped as Avery peeked out from behind Amanda, her wide, sparkling eyes fixed on Aria. “Hello, can I eat here with you? Please?”
Aria nodded, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a gentle smile. “Of course you can,” she said warmly.
Avery beamed and scampered over. Derek lifted her onto the chair, teasing, “You little foodie, does your mom know you sneaked over here?”
Avery nodded enthusiastically. “Mom knows! This nice lady brought me here.”
At first, Alice was against it. Fortunately, Lexie intervened, and she finally relented.
Amanda smiled and glanced at Aria, who was sitting beside Fryderyk. “She was so insistent on coming,” Amanda said, “and since I needed to discuss something with Fryderyk anyway, we came together.”
Amanda looked around and asked politely, “Would it be alright if I stayed too?”
Aria glanced at Derek, and their eyes met.
Aria arched an eyebrow. “Aren’t you the host? Why are you looking at me?”
Derek offered to treat, only to find the bill had already been waived.
With Aria here, everything was on the house.
1/2
Tue,
Chapter 351
Actually, she was the one treating.
Now that everyone was here, it would be awkward to ask them to leave.
Derek nodded. “No problem.”
Amanda took the seat beside Avery.
The waiter, who had been waiting by the door, promptly brought over a set of utensils.
Amanda thanked the waiter, then turned to Fryderyk with a smile in her eyes. “My mom said I was supposed to meet you today–as a date–but I didn’t see you at Lexie’s.”
Silence fell.
Derek was a little taken aback–this young lady certainly didn’t beat around the bush.
Fryderyk set down his fork and said, “I didn’t know this was
supposed to be a blind date. I thought it was just a family gathering.”
Truth was, he had already figured it out–which was exactly why he chose to stay with Aria instead of joining the family gathering.
Amanda nodded understandingly. “I’ve heard you’re not really looking to date anyone–it’s just that Lexie is getting anxious.
Fryderyk nodded. “Right, I’m not looking to date anyone at the moment.”
Amanda asked, “How about we have a marriage of convenience to get our families off our backs?”
The sudden remark made Derek, who was drinking water, choke on it.
Derek thought, ‘Is this really the kind of topic to discuss in front of
everyone?‘
But Amanda had no choice. After all, this was her only chance to see Fryderyk.
Amanda cleared her throat and said, “Actually, we went to middle school together, but I’m guessing you probably don’t remember me.”
Derek studied Amanda. Though she was doing her best to conceal it now, the look she gave Fryderyk the moment she entered the room was undeniable.
Derek assumed she must have a crush on Fryderyk.
Fryderyk shook his head and said, “I’m afraid that won’t work.”
Amanda wasn’t surprised by his refusal. “Why not?”
“I’m already in love with someone,” Fryderyk said.
Would you mind telling us who it is? asked Amanda.
Fryderyk’s head snapped toward Aria. “Her.”
A
