Sammy shot a wide eyed look at him and turned a light shade of pink.
“Anna, I’m going to show Sammy around, and I’ll take the corner table twenty. I’ll tell Richard while we’re in the kitchen what we’ll have to eat.”
“Sure. Nice to finally meet you, Samantha. You have come at just the right time. The lunch crowd has died down.”
“You, too, Anna. I look forward to seeing you again.”
Slater placed his hand on Sammy’s back and steered her to the back of the restaurant to the kitchen, his pride and joy.
“It’s almost full, Slater. I thought Anna said the lunch crowd had died down.”
He glanced quickly around to see it was quiet, well, quiet for Glaser. “This is quiet for Glaser.” He moved closer to her and held her hand.
They walked back to his kitchen, and his head chef, Richard, waved him over. He watched as Sammy seemed to take everything in. She slowed to a dawdle as they walked over to Richard.
“There are so many people back here, and it’s so big.”
“When I designed this kitchen, I wanted it bigger than most, so nobody was stepping on anyone and everyone had room to do their magic.”
“I haven’t seen many restaurant kitchens, well besides on TV and movies, but I think it’s fantastic.”
Bringing the hand he held up to his lips, he kissed it. “Thanks, beautiful.”
They stopped next to Richard, who stood at the front directing people and checking quality. “Richard, I’d like you to meet my mate, Samantha.” He said her full name as he noticed with Anna she didn’t use the name he’d gotten to know her by.
“Hiya, Samantha. It’s nice to put a face to a name we hear so often.” Richard held his hand out, and Sammy took it turning a shade of pink at Richard’s words.
“Nice to meet you, too, Richard. I have no idea what Slater could have told you, but I hope it’s all good.”
Richard let go of Sammy’s hand. “Everything he’s said is positive. He told us what a strong, brave woman you are.”
Sammy looked extremely embarrassed, so Slater took over. “We’re here for lunch, and I’d love for you to cook your creamy garlic salmon.” Turning to Sammy he asked, “You do like fish, don’t you?”
“I love fish. I’m not a huge meat eater. I don’t eat red meat at all, but I love salmon. It’s my favorite fish.”
Slater’s bear preened at Sammy’s comment, and Slater himself was happy as he loved his fish and wasn’t a big red meat eater.
“Sure, I’ll make my salmon dish. Go sit down and relax, and I’ll bring it out personally,” Richard said.
Slater reached out and held Sammy’s hand again as they walked out of the kitchen, and he guided her to the corner table he had for them. Letting his hand drop from hers he pulled her chair out, and Slater waited until she sat in it before he slid her into the table and took his own seat.
“Slater, your restaurant is beautiful. I love the natural colors and the soothing waterfall outside.”
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites. I own a couple with my cousins. My brothers even have shares in this one.” Moving his legs under the table so his feet sat between her legs, he held one of his hands out, and Sammy held it and they twined their fingers together. “Speaking of family, my mother and father have been asking me to bring you around to meet them. Well begging is more like it. My mother is super excited that one of her sons will have a mate.”
Slater watched as Sammy froze. Her eyes went wide, and she tried to snatch her hand from his. She bit her lip, and her gaze darted everywhere but him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now. We’ve only started dating, and … um … what about Brock?”
He could see how scared and uncomfortable she was. Maybe he should wait and bring this up another time, but he really was sick of telling his family about his mate and them never seeing her. “My parents are nothing like Brock’s. I didn’t have nannies raise me. My mother stayed home and was a soccer mum. My mum is like you, human.”
Sammy gasped. “You never said anything about that. How did she meet your father?”
Slater chuckled. “Like any normal person. At a concert I believe. My mum doesn’t call it that. She calls it a festival. I’m sure she’ll tell you the story when you meet her.”
Sammy nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure, I’ll meet them.”
He leaned down and brought her hand up and kissed it. “Thanks, beautiful.”
Sammy grinned at him and relaxed. “Did you say one of your mother’s sons? Do you have brothers or sisters?”