The driver chuckles but he doesn't offer any explanation.
"I moved the party to Nova," Crew says nonchalantly. "The food is better."
"Nova?" I push my back into the car's seat. "The restaurant owned by Tyler Monroe? We're having the marketing party at Nova?"
"We are." His eyes gleam. "I think it's a much better choice than potato chips and cheap beer and wine in the boardroom."
"It's also way more expensive," I counter. "You're telling me you're paying for a party at Nova? Crew Benton is hosting a party for his employees at Nova? This isn't real."
"It's real, Lark." He gestures out the window as the car slows as it nears the curb. "We're going to spend the evening enjoying food prepared personally by Tyler Monroe."
Holy shit. I love Tyler Monroe. I also love his fiancée, Cadence. I've seen them both on television too many times to count.
They're two of the most talented chefs in the country. I've never been to Nova. I've wanted to go for months but dining alone at an upscale restaurant isn't my thing. I always imagined I'd be on the arm of a handsome man when I had dinner there. I never thought that man would be my brother.
***
"I told you this was a stupid fucked up idea, Crew. She's going to pass out. She's going to fucking pass out because you scared the hell out of her."
I swat my brother Kade across the chest as he leans over me. He's older than me but younger than Crew. He speaks before he thinks but tonight he's going to tone it down. Acting like an asshole at my party isn't allowed.
"I'm just surprised," I say as I look up at Crew and Kade. "I didn't know this was my birthday party."
I couldn’t have known. When I walked through the door of Nova, I did it with the anticipation of seeing everyone I work with. I never expected to hear people screaming the word 'surprise,' and I couldn't have known that my parents, my brother, Isla and Gabriel would be standing right in front of me. There are more people here, but those were the faces I recognized before my knees gave out and I fell back into Crew's arms.
"I told Crew this was a bad idea, Lark." Kade brushes hi
s lips over my forehead. "I told him we should keep things as is and toast to your birthday during Christmas dinner. It's what you expect. I only want what's best for you."
They both want what's best for me. All of my brothers do. That's why my mother shoved a birthday card into my hand the moment I sat down. I know it's from Curtis, my eldest brother. He's in Philadelphia for a few days with his family celebrating the holidays early with his in-laws. He'll arrive in New York by train on Christmas Eve with his wife and two boys in tow. The next day my family will open gifts and sing carols and then at the end of the night, my dad will pop open a bottle of champagne and my family will toast to my birthday. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. The champagne used to be sparkling apple juice but the sentiment was always the same. I never got an extra gift. The birthday cakes were eventually replaced with apple and pumpkin pies with a single white candle in the center of each that I blew out after everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.
"I brought a glass of water." A deep voice behind me startles me. "It's for the birthday girl."
I turn and look into the very recognizable face of Chef Tyler Monroe. "You're him."
"I'm Tyler," he says as he crouches next to me. "Drink this. You look white as a ghost."
I take the glass from him and down the water in one gulp. "Is your fiancée here? I love her."
"I love her too." He taps the center of his chest with his fingers. "Crew made a special request for her to be here, so she is. Cadence is in the back cooking up a storm for our special guest."
"For me?" I look past his face to Crew's. "This is all for me?"
"All for you, Lark." Crew smiles down at me. "This is your night."
Chapter 7
Ryker
I'm stopped at the door of Nova by a brawny looking bouncer type. I know this place is sitting at the top of everyone's best restaurant in New York list, but the guy dressed in all black with the pissed off look on his face is overkill.
"The restaurant is closed to the public tonight," he says in a thick Russian accent. "You'll come back another night."
"I'll stay tonight," I shoot back with a fake grin. "I'm here for the Benton birthday party."
He gives me the once over. I'm dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and a blue tie. I look the part of the distinguished party guest, even though I was never formally invited. "I'll check the list. What's your name?"
Fuck. Seriously? A guest list?