He smiled crookedly. "I realized that was what was going on when all the invitations dried up, back when it looked like I might be disowned." Idly, he wondered if she knew about that. It hadn't been the biggest of scandals, since the family had tried to keep it quiet, but the accident had made certain the story had some legs.

"If you were, you'd have picked somewhere that had lobster," Loki drawled. "But I also wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didn't pay for your dinner, yes? Since it's my annoying invitation." He shrugged. "But if you insist, I'm not in the mood for that kind of fight either. I just want dinner with a beautiful, strong woman who isn't more interested in my name than me. I'll do what it takes to achieve that."