“Luka will be coming shortly,” Ivan says. Of course, he knows where Luka is. He may have kept his location from me, but he wouldn’t keep his father in the dark. My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “But we should get started without him. We have a lot to talk about.”
I fret over these words as the food is dished out and everyone begins to eat. Luka’s empty seat and plate plague me, making it hard for me to focus on anything else. Katerina raves about the food, telling me it is better than something she could find in a restaurant, but Ivan stays quiet. I’m sure, like me, he is remembering how we met at The Floating Crown. He hated the food I served him then, but if his empty plate and second serving tells me anything, he is more pleased with my take on veal.
I’m halfway through my tiramisu
