The maitre'd didn't dignify Brooke's comment with a response and simply went off in inimitable professional fashion. Stephanie grinned slightly. "We could go to Spain ... it's not too hard to find spots away from the worst of the American- or British, tourists." And as for her own family which she didn't ever want to see again? They'd simply give their lands a wide berth.

It didn't take too long for a platter of amuse-bouches to arrive, all presented with an artist's eye to detail. It was a little atypical of them to arrive on a plate like that, clearly intended to be shared. Stephanie smiled at it, though.

"I'll give them this much, they know their audience. The Michelin-starred version of a tapas platter."