[76] Gigolo For Hire

"I'm not eating that," Xavier said, staring at the colorful array of sushi rolls on the restaurant table. The five women looked at him with varying degrees of surprise and disappointment.

Naomi set down her chopsticks. "What do you mean you're not eating it? This is premium-grade yellowtail and salmon from the Pacific Reserve."

"It's raw fish wrapped in seaweed," Xavier countered, pushing his plate away slightly. "I don't care if it was caught by mermaids and blessed by Poseidon himself."

Margaret's mouth fell open. "You can't be serious. This is Akira's—they have a six-month waiting list for reservations!"

Xavier shrugged, unmoved by the restaurant's apparent prestige. "Ashley made one phone call and suddenly they had a table for six. That doesn't make the food any better."

"It's an acquired taste," Selena said diplomatically, though her eyes betrayed amusement at his bluntness.