"Alright." Effie didn''t press for details. She simply got in the car.


    The ride was smooth and quick; before long, they pulled up outside a riverside restaurant.


    Effie was a little surprised. This was The Gilded Fork, a well-known spot on the north side of town. Nita had rmended it before, but it was a bit of a trek from where they lived, so they''d never made the trip.


    Judging by the packed parking lot, the ce was as popr as ever- reservations were notoriously hard to get.


    But Lyman''s childhood friend, Vinson Elliott, owned the ce. One quick call, and they had the best private room in the house, with a sweeping view of the water.


    The restaurant itself sat right on the riverbank, ssically decorated with an air of understated elegance.


    As Effie stepped inside and caught sight of the wide expanse of river, she couldn''t help but let out a soft exmation.


    The scenery was stunning-the water was veiled in a soft morning mist, the view breathtaking.


    A waiter led Lyman and Effie through doors iid with rich wood, the space inside both timeless and refined.


    Effie''s curiosity bubbled over. She nced around, taking in every detail.


    Two famous paintings hung on the private room''s walls. Effie drew in a sharp breath-the owner really had taste.


    She knew a bit about art herself, and these were originals, worth a fortune.


    Lyman noticed her reaction. "Do you like it here?" he asked.


    Effie nodded. "I love it. It''s really unique."


    "d to hear it." Lyman waved a waiter over to take their order.


    After spending enough time together, Lyman had a good sense of Effie''s taste and already knew what she liked.


    The Gilded Fork happened to serve several of Effie''s favorite dishes.


    He ced the order quickly.


    Effie gazed out at the river, feelingpletely at ease.


    Before the food arrived, she decided to freshen up and excused herself to the restroom.


    She''d barely left when there was a knock at the private room''s door, followed by it swinging open.


    Lyman nced up. Vinson Elliott stood in the doorway.


    Lyman''s brow furrowed slightly, his voice cool. "What are you doing here?"


    "What, I can''t stop by?" Vinson shot back. "Youe to my restaurant and don''t even tell me? I could''ve arranged a proper wee." In truth, Vinson was just nosy.


    He''d overheard a waiter say Lyman was dining with a woman.


    Vinson''s curiosity was piqued.


    A woman?


    Unbelievable. Normally, Lyman avoided women like the gue.


    But here he was, apparently on a date?


    Vinson just had to see for himself who this woman was—someone who''d actually managed tond Lyman.


    But after scanning the room, Vinson didn''t see a single trace of a woman. Not even ady''s handbag.


    "What are you looking for? I don''t need your hospitality. Go on, see yourself out," Lyman said tly.


    Vinson''s suspicion grew. Lyman was suddenly so eager to get rid of him— something was definitely up.


    "Lyman, why so tense? I just heard you brought a beautiful woman for dinner and wanted to check it out. Don''t be such a cheapskate," Vinson teased.


    Lyman shot him a frosty look. "What, do you think we''re animals in a zoo, here for your entertainment?"


    Vinson was momentarily at a loss for words. Yeah, something was definitely going


    on.


    Not that he''d dare push his luck with Lyman-he knew better.


    Suddenly, something urred to Vinson. "Oh, by the way, Isabel''sing back from her fellowship. Did you know?"


    Lyman paused, then replied calmly, "No, I didn''t."


    Vinson nodded and dropped the subject.


    But in his mind, he couldn''t help but wonder if Isabel found out Lyman had someone new in his life, who knew what would happen?


    She''d probably hop on the next flight back.