The golden glow of early afternoon poured through the glass façade of Marquette's, a tucked-away restaurant nestled between fashion boutiques and artisanal bookstores in downtown Eastbridge. The décor was all muted golds and warm marbles, brass sconces casting soft halos over linen-covered tables. Velvet booths cradled diners in a bubble of hushed luxury, the air perfumed with hints of saffron and citrus glaze.
Avery slid into the booth across from his friends—Arianna, already snapping a picture of her champagne, Natalie smoothing her floral maternity blouse, and Vivianne sipping sparkling water like she might drown in the price.
Arianna sighed, her oversized sunglasses pushed up into her glossy pink waves. "Finally! I was beginning to think your driver got lost in a time loop."
Vivianne glanced up with a cool arch of her brow. "That's because this place is unnecessarily hidden. And expensive."
