Chapter 264: Lovey Dovey
** Eli **
Eli was aware of Tyler’s new company being Sanderson Funds, of course, and he also had a general idea of the potential title of that job position. But it wasn’t until he saw the look on Chelsea’s face that he remembered the news he had read in last week’s finance headlines. Didn’t Sanderson just get in a heated competition with Voyage Bank over a large venture bidding and came out winning in the end?
That might just make this double date Harper was setting up today a lot more interesting ...
"Hmm. Now I see why your job title is still pending an official name." As expected, Chelsea’s expression turned from shocked to thoughtful. "Sanderson is expanding big times, huh? I assume your new role must be related to that ’aggressive pushing’ you mentioned."
Harper, not fully up to date with the latest dealings in the business industry, looked to Eli in puzzlement. He was about to explain when the waitress interrupted them timely by bringing over their drinks, and the work conversation immediately turned into a round of wows as everyone’s eyes landed on their orders.
The bubbly Prosecco poured fresh out of the bottle was festive, immediately lifting the celebratory mood, though the real eye-catcher was undoubtedly the Lovebirds Duo. It looked even better in person than in the menu picture, served with a fresh rose perched on top of pink tinged glass. A straw had been added to each half of the drink, twisted into the shape of a pair of swans kissing just above the flower.
"Goodness, this is so lovely that I don’t even want to drink it!" Harper gasped, turning the cocktail around to admire it from all angles. "Do you want to go first, Eli? Maybe you should have the first sip."
The starry gleam in her eyes made Eli laugh. "I’m pretty sure the purpose of having two halves and two straws is so that we can drink it together." He gave her a light pat on her lap and nudged the glass midway between them. "Want the Aperol Spritz side? We can switch later, but I think you’ll like this one better for the sweetness."
A grin bloomed on her face. She nodded, leaning closer in, and they both closed their lips around the swan shaped straws. As the taste of liquor and orange peels trickled over his tongue, Eli drew a deep inhale of her light floral perfume mixed in with the scent of the rose right in front of his nostrils, and he found it perfectly intoxicating.
"Aww, look at you guys. The restaurant should’ve hired you for the stock photo shoot of this drink!" Chelsea plopped her chin on one hand and watched them with a huge smile. "And let me guess — is the alcohol so strong that you’re both drunk already, or is it something else that I’m seeing you two swooning over?"
Harper blinked, her eyes instinctively going to Eli even as her lips were still wrapped around the straw. From such a close distance, the blank look in her eyes was so adorable that Eli couldn’t help but chuckle.