“Good evening, gentlemen. I hope you’ve been enjoying your meal.”
“It’s wonderful, as usual Mr. Chapman.” Valentine turned to us. “Mr. Chapman is not only the head chef, but he owns Falling Water as well. And he’s been a wonderful boss to me.”
“Thank you, Spike. I… uh… I’m afraid I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Whatever I can do.”
“Not a smart thing to say, Spike,” Mark advised. “You don’t know what you’re leaving yourself open to.”
“And yet you say it to me all the time,” I murmured softly so no one else would hear.
“Well, yeah.”
I reached across the space that separated us and gripped his hand.
“It doesn’t matter,” Valentine said. “Mr. Chapman let me keep my job when I had to take time off after I was kidnapped, so like I said, whatever I can do.”
Mark squeezed my hand. If Valentine had been his own blood, Mark couldn’t have looked prouder.
“They grow up so fast.” I returned his squeeze, and he seemed surprised he had been holding onto my hand.