Gabriel laughed so hard, his side ached. “That is the best compliment I’ve ever been given.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “There’s no secret really, other than starting with a quality cut of meat.” He’d been more than a little surprised to find the Wagyu rib eyes at a small meat market tucked away right off Main Street. The highly marbled meat gave it its tender, butter-soft richness, and as Serenity said, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. That alone made it worth the expensive cost.

She ate another bite. “I’ve bought prime cuts from the market, and they never turn out like this.”

“That’s because I bought them from Palmer’s Butcher Shop.”

“And? I’ve purchased steaks there, too.”

“Wagyu.”

Her mouth formed the perfect O. “Ooo-kay. So, how are the potatoes?” Serenity gave him a winning smile and wiggled her eyebrows.

Chuckling, he forked up a portion of the potatoes. They had always turned out well before, but this time they were over-the-top good. “All I know is I can’t wait for my order to get here.” He’d purchased two more of the buttery and sweet and one each of the others.

“Told you.” She popped a piece in her mouth. “The citrus-flavored ones are so good on seafood or for making vinaigrettes.”

As Gabriel listened, he made a mental shopping list. He’d be purchasing seafood as soon as his package arrived. They finished the meal in companionable silence, interspersed with quiet conversation as smooth R & B music floated through concealed speakers. After they finished their meals, he asked her the question that had been bugging him since he found out she’d been in town only six years. “Was it hard to make the transition from a big city to small-town living?” Although he enjoyed the fresh air and being able to run at nearby lakes, he didn’t think he would ever be able to stay indefinitely. He thrived on the fast-paced Atlanta lifestyle.

Serenity ran her hand idly up and down the stem of her wineglass and gave him a wistful smile. “I’ll concede that it took some getting used to, but at that time in my life I needed the change, and it turned out to be the best decision.” She shrugged. “It’s strange, but I don’t think I could imagine living anywhere else. The slower pace allows me to catch my breath and indulge in more self-care. Before, I rarely made time to take care of myself. Now I make it a priority.”