High Jinx by Shannon Esposito

Author:Shannon Esposito
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781780107653
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2016-02-03T05:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

We rolled up to The Gumbo Pot in the white stretch limo M.J. had picked us up in about nine thirty Sunday evening. I wouldn’t normally venture out this late but apparently the restaurant closes at ten and Lulu wanted to be able to sit down and join us after she was done cooking for the night.

‘This place is beautiful,’ I said to M.J. as we stepped into the cozy restaurant. And it was. The front of the place was all windows covered in gauzy white curtains and strings of pale pink lights. The back wall was brick with shelving housing hundreds of bottles of wine. The chair backs were heart-shaped scrolls and fresh wildflower bouquets sat in the center of every table. I don’t know what I’d been expecting. Maybe checkered tablecloths and Mardi Gras beads hanging from the ceiling? I ran a hand over a jeans-clad hip, hoping I wasn’t too underdressed as the hostess led us to a table by the window. Too late to worry about it now. There were only three tables occupied at this late hour anyway. No one to judge me but myself.

‘I’ll let Lulu know you’re here.’ She smiled pleasantly. ‘Enjoy.’

‘Everything looks delicious,’ I cooed, reading the menu.

‘Thank you and hello, hello!’ Lulu was suddenly standing by our table, glowing in a chef’s hat and apron despite the sweat beaded up around her hairline and the dark circles beneath her eyes. M.J. stood to greet her but she held up her hands. ‘Oh, you don’t want to do that, trust me. I smell like a crawfish bath.’ She blew him a playful kiss. ‘Sit, sit. I’ll go wash up and join you in about twenty minutes. Porter’s agreed to cook for us after hours. I’ll have Gerard bring you out a bottle of wine, and I’ve already made a special appetizer.’ She clapped her hands and held them together in front of her like she was about to pray. ‘Devon, Elle, so glad y’all could make it. Be back in a bit.’

M.J. watched her go with a dreamy smile plastered on his face. ‘Well, feel free to order whatever you like. She makes a mean crawfish pie and the best chicken and andouille gumbo on the planet. There’s also the classic alligator bites if you’re feeling brave.’

Brave? Do they bite back? ‘It all sounds so good.’ My stomach growled as the waiter approached our table with a plate of fried oysters and a bottle of wine. I probably should’ve had a little snack earlier this evening to hold me over, but I hadn’t wanted to ruin my appetite for tonight. My stomach complained louder.

‘Good evening.’ Gerard’s mouth curved beneath his mustache as he began to work the cork in the wine bottle. ‘Monsieur Beckley, you would like to do the honors?’

M.J. nodded and Gerard poured a splash in his glass. After M.J. sniffed, tasted and nodded his approval, Gerard filled up the rest of our glasses.

I eyed the fried oysters. Tiny wisps of heat rose up from them, carrying their delicious scent straight to my nose.

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