Chapter 312
**Tom**
The hostess led us through the dimly lit restaurant, her heels clicking against marble floors in a precise rhythm that matched the soft jazz playing in the background.
Crystal chandeliers dripped from the ceiling like frozen rain, casting prismatic light across the faces of the dining elite—business moguls in tailored suits and socialites draped in pearls.
I caught fragments of hushed conversations about stock portfolios and upcoming galas as we weaved between white-clothed tables. The air was heavy with the aroma of seared meat and truffle oil, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.
"This way, Mr. Blackwood." The hostess gestured to a private alcove overlooking the city skyline. Sydney Harbor stretched out below, the Opera House's white sails gleaming under the stars.
"See?" Leo nudged Kate as we followed the hostess. "She knows our name. That's because we're kind of a big deal."
Kate rolled her eyes. "Or maybe because it's in the reservation list?"
"No, no. It's definitely our fame. Watch this-" Leo cleared his throat. "Yes, I am indeed Leonardo Blackwood. Perhaps you've heard of Blackwood Industries?"
The hostess maintained her professional smile. "Your table, sirs, madam."
Leo deflated slightly as Kate stifled a laugh. He recovered quickly, pulling out Kate's chair with an exaggerated flourish. "For you, my love."
"Such a gentleman," Kate teased, settling into her seat.
Leo slid in beside her, leaving me to sit across from them. The view of the harbor stretched out behind them, city lights twinkling like earthbound stars.
A sommelier appeared at my elbow, presenting a wine list bound in leather. "May I suggest the Penfolds Grange? The 2010 vintage pairs excellently with our chef's specialties."
"Perfect," I nodded, watching Leo's eyes light up at the mention of the Australian wine.
The first course arrived - delicate plates of seared scallops garnished with micro-greens and edible flowers. Leo immediately pulled out his phone.
"No photos," Kate whispered, pushing his hand down.
"But my Instagram followers need to see this!"
"Go ahead," Kate waved her hand with a resigned smile. "Just make it quick."
I picked up my fork, hovering it over the scallops. "We'll just sit here and watch. Obviously, the food's only meant for photos, not eating."
Leo stuck his tongue out at me while positioning his phone at various angles. "Perfect lighting... just need to get the Opera House in the background..."
"The scallops will be cold by the time you find the right filter," Kate muttered.
"Almost done!" Leo's fingers flew across his screen. "Just need to add... there! Posted!" He shoved the phone back in his pocket like a kid caught with candy in class.
My phone buzzed against the table. Sara's name lit up my screen, making my heart skip.
"What are you up to?"
I snapped a quick photo of the harbor view and elaborate place setting and typed back, "Dinner with the dynamic duo. The food's getting cold because someone needed the perfect Instagram shot."
"I saw that!" Leo pointed his fork at me. "Hypocrite! What happened to 'We'll just sit here and watch. Obviously, the food's only meant for photos, not eating.'?"
"Different when it's for Sara," Kate smirked.
"Oh really?" Leo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Tell us more about these special Sara exceptions."
I focused on cutting into my scallop, pretending not to hear him. The seafood melted on my tongue, butter-soft and perfectly seasoned. My phone buzzed again with Sara's reply, but Leo snatched it before I could reach it.
"'Looks amazing! Save me some dessert.'" Leo read in a high-pitched voice. "Aww, Tom is blushing!"
Kate reached over and plucked my phone from his grasp. "Leave him alone. At least his photos take two seconds, not twenty minutes."
"It was five minutes, max!" Leo protested.
"I counted," Kate deadpanned. "It was eighteen minutes and thirty-seven seconds."
"The lighting was tricky!"
"The food's cold," I pointed out, sliding my phone back into my pocket.
"But my followers loved it!" Leo brandished his phone. "Look - already got fifty likes!"
"Congratulations," I drawled. "I'm sure that makes the cold scallops taste much better."
The waiter arrived with our main courses, and Leo's hand twitched toward his phone again. Kate grabbed his wrist.
"Don't even think about it."
"But the plating-"
"Eat."
Leo pouted but picked up his fork. "Fine. But the world is missing out on this masterpiece."
"I'm sure they'll survive," I said, diving into my perfectly seared Wagyu.
Leo leaned over, cutting a piece of his steak and holding it up to Kate's lips. "Try this, babe. It's like butter."
Kate accepted the bite, her eyes closing in appreciation. "Mmm, that's incredible."
"Right?" Leo beamed, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. "Almost as sweet as you."
I focused on my plate, pushing a mushroom around with my fork. The tender moment between them made my chest tight, memories of feeding Sara bites of dessert at that café flooding back.
"Tom?" Kate's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "You okay? You're massacring that poor mushroom."
"Just thinking about work," I lied.
Leo snorted. "Yeah, right. More like thinking about a certain someone who's probably missing your face right now."
My phone buzzed again. Leo's eyebrows shot up suggestively.
"Speaking of..."
"Don't start," I warned.
"Start what?" Leo fed Kate another bite of steak. "I'm just saying if you'd listened to my romance masterclass ideas-"
Kate swatted his arm. "Let him eat in peace."
"Fine, fine." Leo turned his attention back to Kate, cutting another piece of meat. "Open up, beautiful."
I took a large sip of wine, watching them share soft glances and gentle touches. Leo whispered something in Kate's ear that made her giggle, and I wondered what Sara was doing right now.
"Earth to Tom!" Leo waved his fork in front of my face. "You're doing that brooding thing again."
"I don't brood."
"Please," Leo scoffed. "You've got that same look you had in college when you couldn't solve a math problem. All scrunched up and serious." He demonstrated what I assumed was supposed to be my expression, looking more constipated than contemplative.
Kate laughed. "That's actually pretty accurate."
"Not helping," I muttered.
Leo wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulders, pulling her close. "See? Even Kate agrees. You need my expertise. Lesson one: Public displays of affection-"
"If you start another lecture, I'm leaving."
"But I haven't even gotten to the good part!" Leo protested, pausing to kiss Kate's cheek. "The secret techniques! The ancient wisdom!"
I stabbed a piece of Wagyu with more force than necessary. "I don't need classes, Leo. I can manage my own life just fine."
"Can you?" He leaned forward, elbows on the pristine tablecloth. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're one romantic disaster away from ending up alone with fifty cats and a subscription to 'Singles Monthly.'"
"That's not even a real magazine."
"It could be! And you'll be their cover story: 'Local Professor Too Stubborn to Accept Brother's Amazing Dating Advice.'" Leo spread his hands like he was framing a headline. "I'm trying to help you here. The marriage deadline isn't going to wait forever."
"I know that." The wine suddenly tasted bitter. "I'll handle it."
Kate cleared her throat. "Boys, the food's getting cold."
"But Katie," Leo whined, "he needs to understand!"
Kate put her hand over Leo's mouth. "Enough, Leo. The chef probably spent hours preparing this meal, and I refuse to let it go to waste because you two can't stop bickering about Tom's love life."
Leo mumbled something against her palm that sounded suspiciously like "but my presentations."
"Eat," Kate commanded, removing her hand.
"Fine." Leo slumped in his chair like a scolded child. "But this isn't over, Tom. I have charts. And graphs. And a special section on 'How to Turn Professor Mode into Romance Mode'!"
I took another bite of the perfectly cooked Wagyu, ignoring his threats of future romance tutorials. The Sydney skyline twinkled behind him, reminding me of Sara's smile. Maybe I didn't need Leo's help, but I needed to figure something out before that deadline.
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