Chapter 76: [76] Gigolo For Hire
"I’m not eating that," Xavier said, staring at the colorful array of sushi rolls on the restaurant table. The five women looked at him with varying degrees of surprise and disappointment.
Naomi set down her chopsticks. "What do you mean you’re not eating it? This is premium-grade yellowtail and salmon from the Pacific Reserve."
"It’s raw fish wrapped in seaweed," Xavier countered, pushing his plate away slightly. "I don’t care if it was caught by mermaids and blessed by Poseidon himself."
Margaret’s mouth fell open. "You can’t be serious. This is Akira’s—they have a six-month waiting list for reservations!"
Xavier shrugged, unmoved by the restaurant’s apparent prestige. "Ashley made one phone call and suddenly they had a table for six. That doesn’t make the food any better."
"It’s an acquired taste," Selena said diplomatically, though her eyes betrayed amusement at his bluntness.
"I’ve acquired plenty of tastes," Xavier replied. "Some of them even illegal in certain countries. Raw fish just isn’t one of them."
Calypso, seated beside him, poked at her own colorful plate. "I think it’s pretty," she offered, though she hadn’t eaten much either.
"Pretty doesn’t equal tasty," Xavier said. "Besides, we had Japanese food and Thai last night." He turned toward a passing server. "Excuse me, do you serve burgers here?"
The server, a young man in an impeccable black uniform, looked physically pained by the question. "Sir, we are an authentic Japanese fusion establishment specializing in—"
"So that’s a no," Xavier interrupted. He glanced around the upscale restaurant with its minimalist decor and hushed atmosphere. "Is there anywhere nearby that serves actual food? Something with bread and meat cooked at temperatures that kill bacteria?"