Page 27 of The Maverick

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After the planelanded in Aspen, Colorado, a black SUV met them and ferried them to Matsuhisa. On the way to the restaurant from the airport, Rachel took in beautiful scenery. The mountains were alive with yellow, blue, white and red flowers. Fields were alive with tall grass and aspen trees. She remembered in the fall when the trees change to gold, people came from all over for the fall color change and entire mountainsides bright with gold.

The restaurant was in a 120-year-old Victorian house on Main Street in downtown Aspen. Downstairs was the main dining room complete with a natural walnut cocktail bar, bamboo-wrapped ceilings, and a sushi bar that spanned half the length of the room.

The host showed them upstairs where there was casual, more intimate seating and a smaller sushi bar were located.

This was where chef Nobu would create his delectable creations for her and Nick.

Rachel looked around and noticed no one else was in the restaurant. “Is it currently the off-season in Aspen? I thought sure we’d be shoulder-to-shoulder with people, since it’s one of the few nights that Chef Nobu is in town.”

“I bought the top of the restaurant for the evening. They were only too happy to make the arrangement.”

She widened eyes and dropped her jaw. “We’re the only ones here tonight?”

He pulled a chair out at the sushi bar. Then he sat beside her. “Yes. Just us.”

She set her purse on the chair next to her. “This is very nice.”

Nick placed an arm along the back of her chair. “I like it.”

“Do you come here often?”

“Whenever I’m in Aspen. Or if I have a special lady I want to impress.” He winked.

Feeling at ease with her best friend, she waggled her eyebrows. “Have you brought a lot of ladies here?”

His gaze pierced hers. “Only one.”

Rachel’s cheeks heated and she dropped her gaze toward her lap. “Oh.” She wasn’t so dim-witted that she didn’t realize she was the one. Lifting her chin, she met his eyes. “Thank you. That means a lot. I don’t want to be just one of the girls.”

His eyes lasered into hers. “You have never been just one of the girls. You’re my best girl and always have been. I want to be your best man, too.”

She reached over and took his hand with hers. “Since the day I met you, you’ve been my best friend. What if...” She looked away. Her stomach was doing flips as she feared the answer to the question. “What if something happens and we can’t be friends anymore.”

“That will never happen. Most of the time that kind of thing happens because the couple didn’t know each other well enough. I know you.” He placed a finger under her chin and pulled her toward him until she was looking at him. “You know me just as well as I do you. That will never happen to us.” He leaned toward her until their lips met.

The kiss was sweet and sultry at the same time.

His lips teased her mouth open and he dove inside.

She loved his taste. Suddenly, her stomach calmed even as her pulse raced. He tasted a little minty from when he’d brushed his teeth before getting off the plane. Rachel had done the same thing and she was now very glad she had.

“Uhmm.” Someone cleared their throat.

Rachel and Nick pulled apart and gazed at Chef Nobu.

“Chef.” Nick bowed his head. “This is my girlfriend, Rachel Foster-Bennett. Rachel, this is our host tonight, Chef Nobu.”

The chef bowed his head and then smiled. “I am very glad Nicholas has a girlfriend. I begin to think he be forever alone.” The chef was not tall at all. He had black hair that he wore short and eyes so dark they looked black. He wore a white jacket that crossed in the front and a white apron tied at his waist.

She smiled at him with a genuine smile. “Thank you. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You as well. What you have me prepare for you?” Chef Nobu opened his arms wide, taking in all the offerings.

“I have no idea. I’ve never had sushi,” Rachel admitted.

Chef Nobu’s eyes sparkled. “Ah, my favorite customer. I prepare you a special plate. You love everything. Do you trust me?”