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"I love your necklace"

"Thank you Jagger bought it for me for my birthday"

"It’s beautiful" I offer ht it was a piece froht?" she says, gushing over hiers the crystals as they sparkle

"Not only does er, but he has awesos off the co to pound his chest with his fist

"Watch it, rin that tellswith each other

I was a little nervous when Ben suggested we all go out to dinner because I wasn’t sure how the dynauess since they had already forged a relationship in New York City through circu

The waitress approaches and greets our table "What can I get you both to drink?"

I start to answer, but Ben orders for the both of us "Two sparkling waters with lemon please"

My heart starts to steadily pound He remembers what I drink and he now adds lemon to his own drink I try to rein in my smile, but it’s too late

"You look really happy today, Bell," Jaggerbetween Ben and ot a new client that I’m excited to ith," I lie Well, it’s not really a lie--I aovernor’s son, but that’s not why I was senuinely curious

"Ro He’s notorious for being a ladies’un wedding?" She quirks an eyebrow

I shrug I can feel Ben’s stare burning me I liftin them

"Have youlater this week I guess his fiancée is so nervous she’s left the whole thing up to him"

"Oh, sounds like you’re in for a treat," Aerie says

"How’s that?" Jagger asks, his own eyebrow rising now

"Well, he’s stunning and if the fiancée doesn’t want anything to do with the wedding planning, I’d say soid "I went to high school with him But how do you know him?" he asks Aerie

"His parents had a house on the bluff near ether"

"Roer clears his throat

"Well, yes, that’s e called hih Just his picture in the paper" She squirms a little under the scrutiny of both men at the table

"I’d like to hear a littleup in a teasing fashion

Aerie’s cheeks blaze And Ben is unusually quiet

"Well, not as stunning as you, of course" Her eyes lift to Jagger’s

He leans over and whispers so in her ear and all I can hear is the word sand

She whispers so back that I’m pretty sure is "I can’t do that"

His mouth quirks up in a we’ll see kind of way

Ben clears his throat and opens his er share an intimate moment, I look down at my own menu The inscription on the front reads A culinary journey that will lead you through the Spice TrailIndochinaFranco-AfriqueThe LevantSoutheast AsiaLa Méditerranée

I lean toward Ben "What does this mean?"

He leans closer to hs His war on h to hs touch

"Oh" It’s all I can say because once again his physical contact has rendered , and s that aren’t appropriate at the table

"So, what’s good?" Ben directs his question to Jagger, who reluctantly pulls himself away from his private conversation with Aerie

"The chicken and lamb are my favorites Or the caood The le the sound of any of that

Ben’s eyes drift toward aze latches on to his as Jagger continues to give us a rundown on the use of unrefined olive oils and dried fruits in the Moroccan cooking processes Ben’s eyes don’t wander and entle but concerned stare

"Oh, and the sherry cobbler is the best you’ll ever have," Jagger says, drawing my attention back to the conversation

The waitress returns with our drinks and refreshes Aerie’s and Jagger’s wineglasses before asking Ben and lass We both shake our heads no "Are you ready to order, then?" she asks

"How about we start with the les olives er says to the waitress He looks at the three of us "Anything else to start?"

I shake ood," Ben answers for all of us

The waitress walks away and Aerie looks at Jagger, a little horrified

"What?" he asks