I can see the two goons sitting in their car opposite the street, watching my car. Well - they are going to be watching all day, I chuckle.
When the Uber pulls out of the building, I sink low in the backseat, wondering if he thinks I'm crazy. Then when we are farenough away, I sit up again and straighten my blue dress. It's a beautiful day outside so I chose this one. It's short, flaring out after my waist, and I think it's really cute.
I wore my white sneakers again because I didn't know where Dan was taking us, and I'd rather be comfortable than trying to walk around outside in high heels. That just isn't my style even though so many of the women around Las Vegas are happy to suffer for their fashion sense. I am just not stupid enough to pull that off.
The driver drops me outside the entrance to Russo River Casino. I am about to walk into the foyer when I hear Dan's voice from behind me.
"Hi, beautiful."
I turn to see him sitting in his car, grinning at me.
He climbs out and walks around towards me.
He gives me the quickest kiss on my lips, then opens the car door for me as though he is in a hurry to get out of there.
"Are you embarrassed to be seen with me? Or just in a hurry to leave," I tease him as he climbs into the car.
He laughs. "Quite the opposite. I think any man who has the chance to be seen with you in public would be the center of attention and would love it. But - I am excited to whisk you away for our lunch date."
I smile. I hate the idea of being the center of attention. But I love the idea of him being excited to share lunch with me.
He doesn't strike me as a man who gets excited about things. He doesn't seem like a man who gets excited about things, but in all the times I've spent with him, he has been gentle, playful, and soft. Attentive even.
I stare at his mouth, trying to picture a mask over the top half of his face. It makes my heart beat faster.
I am so sure it's him.
But - it can't be. That would be bad because it would complicate things, I might have to stop seeing him.
I'm not ready for that - not after last night.
He drives us away from the city to a rocky cliff. The sun is hot, shining down on us as we climb out of the car. I walk over to the edge of the cliff. It's a long drop, and the view is incredible. The entire city of Las Vegas is spread out at the foot of the hill.
I hear Dan busy with something behind me and turn to see him gathering things from the trunk of his car.
I walk over to see if I can help.
"Here, take this." He hands me a blanket.
Then he scoops up the enormous basket and another bag of items, slinging it over his shoulder as he slams the trunk closed. "Alright - follow me." He grins.
We don't walk far - just around the edge of the cliff towards some trees. He spreads the blanket out on the grassy area of shade and then opens the basket.
He has packed a really elaborate lunch of crackers, cold cuts, cheese, fruits, and chocolates. It looks incredible.
From the other bag, he pulls out champagne, water, juice, and glasses.
"Wow." I giggle. Surprised by the amount of effort he put into this. I am just not used to having someone do things like this for me.
"I hope you like all of this food," he asks, looking worried for a moment.
"Dan, this is amazing. Thank you so much."
He leans back on his elbow, propped up on his side as he places a few items onto a plate. I move a little closer to him, leaning my back against his legs and pouring us some champagne.
Again - everything with him is so natural and the conversation flows like I've known him my entire life.
We are laughing when his phone, lying face up in front of me, beeps with a notification. I look down at it and catch a glimpse of a message before he picks it up.