Acquired Tastes by Simone Mondesir

Author:Simone Mondesir [Mondesir, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Humor & Satire, Humorous, Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, General Humor
ISBN: 9780749322519
Google: h9nOAAAACAAJ
Amazon: B00R3EA40W
Publisher: Mandarin
Published: 1996-12-15T13:47:00.982000+00:00

Sixteen

Lush green foliage that would not have embarrassed a tropical rain forest filled the restaurant, providing leafy screens between the tables, and climbing upwards towards the vaulted, glass canopied ceiling. A waiter led Philip, Gabriella and Vanessa to a corner table in the shade of a triffid-like Monstera deliciosa.

As they were seated and handed menus, Gabriella crooked her finger at the waiter. 'I'd like another bottle of that lovely champagne.'

The waiter looked at Philip, who smiled with more grace than he felt. The champagne was exorbitantly expensive and had only been meant as a welcoming gesture. He’d hoped they would move onto the house wine during their meal.

'What an excellent idea, Gabriella. I'm sure Vanessa will join you, but I'd just like some still mineral water, please.'

'And I'd like a dozen oysters followed by Lobster Thermidor,' said Gabriella, handing her menu back to the waiter.

The waiter tapped her order into the small computer he held in his hand, and then looked questioningly at Vanessa.

'The asparagus and courgette timbales with beurre blanc sauce, then the quail with fresh figs.'

'And the tomato and basil sorbet followed by venison steak with sage butter for me,' Philip added.

'The vegetables of the day are mange-tout sautéed in butter with almonds, onion purée with sage, steamed fennel and dill, and our chef's salad today is an English country garden leaf and herb salad, garnished with Nasturtium flowers. Would you like a selection, sir?'

'Please, please,' Philip waved the waiter away then turned back to Vanessa and Gabriella. 'Well, isn't this nice,' he announced with a cheerfulness which lacked conviction.

No agreement was forthcoming.

Both women seemed suddenly fascinated by their long, manicured nails. Philip knew it was fanciful, but he couldn’t help being reminded of lions flexing their claws before the kill. However, if they were hungry lions, who was their prey? He gave a nervous little laugh.

'Philip, darling,' Gabriella purred, placing a proprietorial hand over his. 'You don't seem quite yourself.'

Philip looked down at Gabriella’s talon-like nails, and the huge diamond rings which encrusted her fingers, more like weapons than ornaments, and felt a little frisson of pleasure, or was it fear? Mentally he took a deep breath. He should not have drunk champagne on an empty stomach. He slipped his hand out from under Gabriella's and picked up his glass of mineral water.

'Perhaps I find myself overwhelmed at being in the company of the two most beautiful women in the restaurant.' He raised his glass to each of them. But his attempt at rapprochement did not have quite the effect he intended. Two mouths smiled in acknowledgement, but two pairs of dark eyes swiftly surveyed the room. Satisfied of the truth of Philip's statement, their eyes momentarily locked. Having eliminated the rest of the competition, there were now only two in contention for the ultimate prize, and there could only be one victor.

Vanessa made her bid first.

'PP, sweetie.' She leaned across the table and picked an imaginary thread from Philip's shoulder, in a gesture that suggested more than just workplace intimacy.

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