Page 112 of Call Me Sir

He nods. “Besides, I should be doing all this for you, baby.”

It’s been so long since he’s called me that, and now he’s saying it in public!

“Your wine,” the waiter says, interrupting us.

“Thank you,” Sal says, but his gaze never leaves me.

A look that’s far more intoxicating than any alcohol could ever be.

Thirty Eight

Sal

Being a bummer. I think that’s what people call it when they bring the whole mood down.

Has my dread of being out on a date caused me to bring Cole’s excitement to a complete halt?

The moment I saw him in that dressy outfit, my mind couldn’t stop undressing him.

Yet, the restaurant and the drink and the food, it’s not him. It’s not us.

We both sip the wine and I have to hold back laughter as Cole tries not to cough.

He sets it down and wipes his face with a napkin. “That is disgusting.”

I drop my head and shake my head in laughter. “You’re silly. You learned all about it but I bet you didn’t read how it tastes, did you?”

“Tonight’s not about me, it’s about you, remember?”

“Sure.”

Dinner is placed in front of me after half my glass is gone.

Cole has sipped his here and there, but can’t stop making the face as if he’s sucked on a sour lemon each time.

Cole digs into the food and I do the same.

The sauce is creamy and the chicken is tender. My mother had me biased, but the food is actually brag worthy.

“Holy shit,” Cole says, food stuffed in his cheek.

My god, he’s not even drunk.

“This is so good!”

Chugging half his wine, he takes another bite.

“Cole.”

“Oh,” he says looking around. “Sorry.”

He’s normally not like this at home but between the nerves and addressing my attitude, he’s doing better.

We take the extras in a box and Cole pays for the entire dinner, which is easily $300.00. I don’t say anything, though.

When we’re in my car, he snakes his hand over into my lap. “Let’s go to the beach next!”

A drunk Cole at the beach?