“You’re fine,” Joanna said as she leaned over to look out Addison’s window. “Le Gavroche?” she said, reading the sign above the door on the unassuming brick building.

“Classically French cuisine...with a few twists,” Addison said as David opened her door. “I think you’ll like it.”

Entranced by Addison’s persona while on her call in the car, Joanna hadn’t the time to get nervous, but as they walked into the upscale eatery, a swarm of butterflies began to flutter in her stomach. Her mouth went dry, and she unconsciously began searching for all the exits, but when Addison placed her hand on the small of Joanna’s back, the butterflies slowed their wings. The touch was possessive and affectionate, and as they were led to their table, and Joanna noticed a few heads turning, she held her head high. She was Mrs. Addison Kane.

Joanna slipped into the half-circle booth, across the thickly-padded, olive upholstery. The design of the seating put them somewhat on display, but situated along a wall, it also guaranteed they wouldn’t be distracted by the parade of white-jacketed wait staff doing their jobs. Men dressed in suits and women adorned in jewels sat at the many tables filling the room, and the sound of their hushed conversations mingled with that of cutlery being used and meals being served.

As expected their table held crystal, polished silverware, and china, the plates proudly displaying the restaurant’s name written in golden scroll around the edge, but what got Joanna’s attention was at the center of the table. It was a small silver sculpture of a toucan, its uniqueness found in the spoon and fork used to create it. Joanna smiled at the cleverness, but her expression wavered when she raised her eyes just as the waiter approached. For a split-second, butterflies began to flap their wings again, but when Addison took the lead, Joanna listened to the exchange and the last of her jitters faded away.

***

After a visit by the waiter, the sommelier, and the twin assistant managers welcoming them to their establishment, the two women relaxed back and waited for their meals to arrive.

“So, did your business trip go well?” Joanna asked, taking a sip of Chardonnay.

“Yes, for the most part.”

“For the most part?”

“I had a problem keeping my mind on business,” Addison said as her viewpoint shifted to Joanna’s cleavage. “I have no idea why.”

A faint hint of red crept across Joanna’s cheeks, and feeling the heat, she took another taste of her wine.

“And how about you? Did you take me up on my bedroom offer?”

“Exactly which offer was that, sweetheart,” Joanna purred.

Addison shifted in her seat, clearing her throat as she leaned a bit closer to her wife. “I was talking about the redecorating, not the...um...recreation.”

“Oh, that,” Joanna said with a chuckle.

“Yes, that.”