Page 156 of Tempting All The Way

“I’m a paralegal, not a lawyer. My day was… busy,” I answer him.

“Oh, okay.”

More silence. I pick up the menu. “Have you been here before? I haven’t but everything sounds good.”

“I have. The oysters are always good,” he says.

“Oh, I’m allergic to shellfish,” I lie. I just don’t like seafood, and I find people leave me alone and don’t try to change my opinion if I just tell them I’m allergic.

“That’s a shame. I think I’ll have the steak,” he says, folding the menu and placing it back on the table.

The waiter approaches us. Bert orders a rare porterhouse, and I order the pesto pasta. Halfway through the meal, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I can’t handle the silence. I’ve never felt more awkward or out of place in my life.

Staring in the mirror, I reapply my lipstick.You can do this, Dani. Go back out there and charm the guy.I give myself a mental pep talk.

Reclaiming my seat at the table, I notice Bert has stopped eating and waited for me to return. “I’m sorry,” he says.

“About?” I ask, picking up my fork.

“My lack of conversational skills tonight. It’s just been a really long week already and I’m exhausted. It’s not you.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I totally understand. I haven’t been much help either. I’m new at this whole dating thing. I don’t really know how this is meant to work,” I admit.

“You’re new to dating?” he asks.

“Uh-huh, I dated the same guy from fifteen until, well, seven months ago,” I tell him.

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“He left me at the altar on our wedding day.”

“Shit, that’s… harsh.” He winces.

“It was… but now I’m a free agent. So here we are.” I smile, even though bringing up memories of that day makes me want to do anything but.

“Well, here’s to starting over.” Bert raises his wine.

Clinking glasses with him, I take a sip and relax a little more. Maybe this date isn’t a total disaster. This could be the start of a great relationship, or even a friendship.

I think I like Bert. I’m not feeling that insane spark like I do for someone else, but perhaps that’s something that can grow.

“Would you like to see the dessert menu?” the waiter asks as he clears the table.

I look to Bert. “Sure, if you do,” he says.

“Sounds good. I’m just going to the restroom. Pick something with chocolate in it for me,” I tell him as I stand.

Chapter Ten

She’s on a fucking date. A real-life fucking date.

A part of me was hoping she was just saying shit to get to me. But here she is, sitting across from some fucker smiling and laughing. When she brings her glass of wine up to her mouth, I smirk with the knowledge my bracelet is still firmly clasped around her wrist. And when she stands and leaves the table for the second time, I take my shot.

Walking into the restaurant, I brush straight past the hostess and right up to the table where her date is seated. “Hi, mate. I’m sorry to do this to you but you won’t be leaving here with Dani tonight. My wife is struggling with her mental health and is not herself right now. I’m taking her home,” I tell him.

“Your wife?” His face visibly pales.

“Yes, she’s… not well,” I explain before picking up Dani’s coat and making my way to the restrooms. I enter the female bathroom, lean against the basin, and wait. It doesn’t take long before I hear the toilet flush and Dani opens the cubicle door.

---