21

Natalia pulled her rented Ford Focus into the parking space beside Brad’s car and cut the engine. Grabbing her purse, she took his outstretched hand as he helped her out of her car, and with their hands still clasped together, they walked toward the front door.

The drive there had been pretty much a blur, so she got her first glimpse of the restaurant as she neared the entrance, and as soon as she did, her steps faltered. She thought she’d recovered rather quickly, but her hesitation must have shown on her face, because Brad turned to her and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

She flashed him a small smile. “I guess I was expecting someplace a little more….casual,” she said as she glanced up at the sign for Alain Ducasse, the ultra chic, upscale French restaurant just outside Bayside in the small, but trendy town of Summerlin.

Brad’s eyes twinkled as he smiled. “You’re an international superstar. I couldn&rs