In the meantime, she planned to forget her problems and enjoy a meal out. Roland had invited her out to dinner and she’d accepted.
At first she’d declined, worried Cyrus might have eyes everywhere. She’d even warned Roland that her husband knew they’d met once before, but he appeared unconcerned.
When she entered The Savory Date, a Moroccan restaurant and her absolute favorite place to eat, the inviting scent of savory stews simmering in spices greeted her and created a spike in her appetite. She hadn’t been eating well, a common condition when she worked long hours. If Cyrus knew, he wouldn’t be pleased and would make her get food in her stomach. He’d done it several times, bringing her a meal on his way somewhere and forcing her to sit still long enough to eat it, reminding her she should refuel her body so she could continue at the same pace. Odd she should remember that about him.
Roland was already seated at one of the round tables draped in a solid white tablecloth when she arrived. The host led her to the table, and he smiled a greeting, looking up from a bowl of lentil soup.
“I hope you don’t mind. I ordered an appetizer since you were running late.”
Daniella checked the time as she sat down. She was only five minutes late. He must have arrived early and ordered then. Cyrus would have never done that. He would have waited to see what she’d like to eat first.
She ordered water with lemon and smiled at Roland. The dark suit surprised her. At the company he’d helped start up, BoldMine, they seldom wore clothes more formal than khakis and a polo shirt.
He wasn’t bad-looking at all. Granted, he didn’t have Cyrus’s chiseled features, but his close-cropped hair was always short and neat, and he had the most beautiful brown eyes she’d ever seen on a man. Beautiful, but not with the same brooding intensity of Cyrus’s.
She silently berated herself. Why couldn’t she get him off her mind?
Roland scooted his chair closer to hers. “I have big, important news I want to share with you.” He grinned from ear to ear and looked immensely pleased with himself.
“What is it?” Daniella asked.
With a cocky grin, he said, “I’ll tell you soon, but we’ll need champagne for this.”
He piqued her interest with that comment. “Can I get a hint?”
Roland patted her hand. “Patience, my dear. Be patient.”
He clearly enjoyed having his little secret, and Daniella didn’t want to spoil it. Though she practically knew all the dishes by heart, she perused the menu as they waited for the server to return. She lifted her head when raucous laughter came from the other side of the restaurant. “Someone’s having a good time,” she murmured.
The comment had been meant for Roland’s ears, but the waiter walked up at the same moment with the very recognizable bottle of Armand de Brignac in hand. “There’s a group of businessmen in one of our semi-private rooms. They’ve been here since this afternoon, eating and drinking and spending a lot of money.”
“Sounds like that will be a nice tip for someone,” Daniella commented.
“Yes,” the waiter said, a wistful note to his voice. He obviously wished he had been the lucky employee chosen to wait on the group.
They ordered their meals and then the waiter poured them each a glass of champagne.
“I’m getting impatient,” Daniella said. “You have to tell me what we’re celebrating.”
“Success.” Roland lifted his glass and she lifted hers. “BoldMine found an investor. We’re about to go to the next level.” He grinned so widely he could have swallowed his ears.
“You’re kidding! I’m so excited for you.” She threw an arm around him and gave him a big hug. He’d been working on BoldMine for years, long before they’d met.
He chuckled appreciatively. “Cheers.”
They clinked their glasses together and both took substantial swallows of the pricey wine.
“Which means,” Roland continued, his voice filled with hidden meaning, “I can help you.”
She had no idea what he meant. She wasn’t in financial trouble. “Help me how?”