Page 14 of That's a Wrap

No matter how long it takes me, I’m going to convince this girl just how amazing she is. She deserves to have the life she wants, and not just the one she thinks she has to live.

6

PETER

“Welcome to Le Veronique. Do you have a reservation?” The hostess offers us a friendly smile.

“It should be underJacobs,” I respond.

Once she finds my name on the list for the evening, she grabs a couple of menus and gestures for us to follow her. She brings us to a small, semi-private booth toward the back of the restaurant and informs us that our server, Cassie, will be arriving soon to take care of us.

“I forgot how upscale this place is,” Ella Kate mutters as she slides into the booth, her eyes and mouth wide in amazement.

I look around and shrug. It’s a nice restaurant; the lights are dimmed for an intimate atmosphere and all the furniture is of top quality. But it’s hard to find anything truly eye-catching when I have such a beautiful girl sitting in front of me.

“You’ve been here before?” I ask, purposefully drawing her attention back to me. It works and her gaze settles on mine again, making my heart stutter a beat like it always does whenever she looks at me.

“Just one other time. It was for my high school graduation. My parents wanted to take me out for a nice dinner. I remember the food being really good, but also really expensive.” She lets out a nervous laugh and twists her fingers together. “I think I’ll probably just get a salad or maybe a bowl of soup.”

I frown. “A salad doesn’t sound too filling after a full day of work.”

Her eyes fall to the menu and she raises one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I’m just saving money right now so I don’t want to spend a lot on one dinner.”

“And when have you had to pay for anything when we’ve been out?” I try not to sound insulted, but she’s caught me off guard.

She snaps her eyes back up and her mouth drops open. “Well… never. But you shouldn’t have to expense this kind of thing for work. At least not my meal anyway.”

“I don’texpenseanything. Yes, you’ve been kind enough to help me with this project. But it’s becauseIwant you to, not because the resort pays for it.”

“Oh.” She casts her head down again.

“Look at me, please,” I ask, wanting her full attention, which she grants me. “Tonight isn’t just work, Ella Kate. I want to spend time with you. And do something nice for you because you deserve it.”

“I really don’t.” She chortles. The sound is disparaging and I hate it.

“Don’t ever say that again, or I’ll spank you.” Part of me is teasing, but the other part just might.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she tests me.

“I wouldn’t dream of letting anyone say anything depreciatory or contemptuous about you. That includes you. Understand?”

She nods as a smile spreads across her lips.

“Good. Now, let’s decide what we want to eat.”

Just as we resume perusing the menu, our server joins us at the table. “Hello, I’m Cassie. I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I start you off with some wine or perhaps a cocktail?”

“Just water for me,” Ella Kate answers, not even glancing at the drink menu.

“Actually, can we get a bottle of this Cabernet Sauvignon?” I point to my selection on the extensive wine list.

“Absolutely. I’ll have that open in just a moment.” Cassie leaves as Ella Kate’s mouth hangs open again. This time, on a gasp.

“Close your mouth, honey or flies will get in,” I joke.

“Peter, are you kidding me?” She leans forward to whisper, “That bottle is over two hundred dollars.”

“Oh, really?” I look down at the menu to see if she’s right. “That’s much cheaper than what I was expecting, to be honest.”

---