As Jayden pulled up in front of the restaurant, a valet immediately stepped forward, recognizing him at once.
"Good evening, Mr. Jayden," the valet greeted with a respectful smile.
"I'll get your door. Just hold on a moment," Jayden murmured to Emma.
He pressed a button on the dash, and the trunk lifted smoothly. Slipping out of the driver's seat, he handed the valet the keys and circled around the car. Emma leaned slightly, trying to peek through the rearview mirror, but the raised trunk blocked her view.
A minute later, Jayden appeared on her side of the car. He opened the door for her, and Emma's gaze instinctively swept over him. He still wore the black jungle-print shirt and tailored brown pants from earlier, but something had changed.
Her eyes dropped to his feet. He'd swapped the slides he had worn before for a sleek pair of loafers. When he shifted slightly, he lifted one heel just enough for her to catch the flash of red beneath and penny loafers.
Emma's brows shot up. "Wait... are those—?"
Jayden smirked. "Yes. Men's Louboutins."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Now we can twin."
The corner of Emma's lips tugged upward as he extended his hand. She slid her fingers into his, stepping gracefully out of the car.
Behind them, the valet slipped into the driver's seat, the engine purring to life as he guided the car away. Together, hand in hand, Emma and Jayden walked toward the grand entrance of the restaurant, the air buzzing with mix of luxury and anticipation that always seemed to follow him.
As Emma and Jayden settled into their seats, the soft golden glow of the chandeliers above bathed the room in warmth.
The waitress who'd led them in left with a polite bow, and almost immediately, a chef in a crisp white uniform and tall hat approached.
"Welcome to Le Jardin Rouge," he said with a slight bow. "I'm Dennis, and I'll be your hibachi chef tonight."
Jayden, half-distracted, still had his eyes on the menu, scanning the options.
"Mr. Jayden," The chef blurted, his voice pitching a little higher than expected, "May I get an autograph?" He looked like he'd been holding it back all night.
Jayden finally lifted his eyes, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
"Let's make a deal," he said smoothly. "If the steak's great tonight, you'll have your autograph. And a picture too."
Dennis grinned ear to ear, nodding quickly. "Say less. You won't be disappointed."
He clapped his hands once, and almost instantly, two attendants rolled in a cart stacked with fresh ingredients: thick cuts of marbled Wagyu beef, lobster tails on ice, plump shrimp, trays of colorful vegetables all neatly arranged. A bottle of sake rested on the side, and a polished hibachi grill gleamed in front of their table.
Emma leaned closer to Jayden, whispering with a small smirk, "Did you just bribe the chef with your fame?"
Jayden shrugged playfully. "Hey, I need to make sure we eat right tonight."
The chef lit the grill, a burst of blue and orange flames shooting up for show. Emma flinched slightly at the sudden flare, and Jayden chuckled, resting a hand lightly over hers.
"Relax," he teased. "It's all part of the show."
Chef Dennis began his performance, flipping his spatula and knife with practiced ease, clanging them together in rhythm like instruments. He cracked an egg mid-air, catching it neatly on the grill. He drew a quick heart shape with the yolk and winked at Emma.
Emma giggled. "He's showing off for me."
Jayden smirked, leaning in. "Nah... he knows who he has to impress."
Soon, the aroma of garlic butter hit the air as Dennis tossed shrimp onto the grill, the sizzle filling the room. He drizzled sake, letting the flame roar dramatically before carefully searing the lobster tails. The vegetables followed, onions stacked into a tower that he lit on fire, creating a "volcano" of flame and smoke.
Emma gasped, clapping her hands lightly in delight. "Oh my God, that's insane!" She said ending the video she was making of the little show the chef had put on.
Jayden only smiled, his eyes fixed more on her than the food. "Not as insane as how good you look tonight."
The chef plated their first servings, juicy shrimp glazed with garlic butter, paired with fried rice that had been tossed with vegetables before their eyes. Then came the tender slices of Wagyu steak, seared perfectly, each piece glistening.
Dennis set the plates in front of them with a flourish. "Your feast, sir. Ma'am."
Emma took her first bite, and her eyes widened. "Jay... this is..." She didn't even finish her sentence, just let out a hum of approval.
"Okay... this might just be the best thing I've ever eaten." Emma couldn't help but mutter
"Guess I owe him that autograph," Jayden muttered with a smirk, reaching for his knife.
Jayden cut into his steak, chewing slowly, savoring. Then he set his fork down and gave Dennis a nod.
"You've definitely got yourself an autograph."
Dennis grinned so hard, Emma thought he might burst.
The chef wiped down the grill with a flourish, gathered his utensils, and gave a final bow before stepping away.
A waitress glided by to top up their glasses, then the table was theirs alone.
The sudden quiet felt different but soft, more intimate. The noise of the restaurant was still there, but it blurred into the background as Emma cut into her steak.
"Okay... this is ridiculous," she muttered, chewing quickly.
Jayden watched her with amusement. "Told you hibachi was worth it."
Emma nodded, sipping her drink. The glow from the chandelier above caught in her hair, and Jayden caught himself staring a moment too long.
"What?" she asked, noticing.
"Nothing." He smirked, stabbing a piece of lobster.
"Just trying to figure out how I'm supposed to go back to my boring life when you make even eating look this... distracting."
Emma rolled her eyes, fighting back a smile. "What do you mean?" She asked
"Well, games are starting soon. I'll be gone for weeks."
"Well, the season doesn't start till ten days from now," Emma said, almost nonchalantly as she sliced into her food.
Jayden set his fork down, leaning back. "Yeah... but I'll be leaving for Spain in three days"
Emma froze mid-cut, her knife slipping slightly against the plate. "What?" she asked, her brows knitting together. "Why so early?"
He swirled the wine in his glass before answering. "Need to see a friend first... before everything gets busy."
Emma's eyes narrowed. "What friend?"
"An old one," he said flatly.
She searched his face, waiting. "Male or female?"
Jayden's stare faltered. He cleared his throat and lifted his glass, buying time with a slow sip. "Male..." he muttered under his breath.
Emma leaned forward. "What?"
He set the glass down and met her gaze. "It's a male friend."
She studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He reached across the table and slid his hand over hers. "Hey..." His thumb brushed against her knuckles. "Trust me, baby."
He lifted her hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of her palm.
Emma gave a small, calm smile. "I do trust you."
The tension in his jaw eased as he returned the smile, and soon, they were back to eating. Jayden mentioned how one of his buddies had recommended the restaurant, so he thought it'd be a good spot to bring her.
He'd just lifted his glass for another sip when Emma spoke.
"Let's date."
Her voice was steady and calm. Too calm.
Jayden nearly choked, coughing hard as the wine burned down his throat. Emma's eyes widened. "Are you okay?" she asked quickly, sliding her hand toward him.
He waved it off, catching his breath, but his gaze snapped back to her. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me." Her eyes locked on his, unwavering, even though her chest felt like it was about to burst out of her ribcage. She had no idea where the courage came from, but she'd been holding it in since the moment he showed up at her door earlier.
Jayden leaned in, studying her like he was trying to figure out if she was serious.
"You want to date me?" he asked slowly, his voice lower now.
Emma bit her bottom lip, nodding slightly. "Yeah."
Jayden exhaled, running a hand over his jaw. "Trust me, you don't want to. I've forgotten how to love."
Emma shook her head, her tone firmer this time. "Jayden, we've been at this make-believe for two months. You've played the part perfectly. And if this... she gestured lightly between them "if this is the energy you're bringing into a relationship, then I'm fine with it."
Jayden swallowed, clearing his throat, clearly caught off guard.