Page 46 of Finding Love on the Slopes

She smiled at him. “Thank you. So, where are we going?”

He returned her smile, taking her hand in his once more. “You’ll see when we get there.”

“Keeping me on the hot seat, huh?”

“I thought you’d enjoy the suspense,” he said, referring to one of the random conversations they’d had about different movie genres.

“Once in a while,” she shrugged.

“Patience is a virtue, Leighann. We’ll be there in no time.”

When Enrique said they’d get there in no time, she had no idea that meant the thirty minutes it took to drive to Aspen. They talked but kept things light and simple. Commenting on the roadways, the damage they passed, the accumulation of snow, that kind of thing. No brain power needed. It calmed her nerves a little, but her anxiety was still running high when they pulled up outside a well-known five-star restaurant.

She had wondered about this place but never dreamed of actually having the opportunity to eat there, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it now. Still taking in the elegant façade of the restaurant, she was startled when uniformed staff opened her door.

“Good evening, ma’am,” he greeted her, stretching a hand to help her out. Reluctantly placing her hand in his and stepping down, she murmured, “Well, here goes nothing.”

Enrique was already at her side, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. The night breeze was cool againsther cheeks, and the stars in the sky shone brightly, making her think of what it would be like to go star-gazing with Enrique. Just the two of them, lying on a blanket beneath the stars, whispering their dreams into the night sky.

She banished the thought as they approached the entrance. Tonight wasn’t going to be anything like that.

Chapter Forty-One

Her heels clicked against the marble covering the floor. She noticed as the host led them to their table that there were barely any people at the tables. The uniformed staff looked like they had been expecting their arrival, each of them nodding respectfully to Enrique and Leighann. If she didn’t know better, she would think he had rented the entire restaurant for their time together. The problem was she didn’t know better, and that thought made emotions race to the surface.

The restaurant was huge, the tables and chairs screaming luxury and opulence everywhere she looked. The massive chandelier hanging overhead probably cost as much as her entire education.

Even though there were very few patrons, the host led them to a remote table in the corner of the restaurant. There were no tables surrounding it, and potted trees acted as a privacy screen, further blocking them from view.

Enrique grinned as he pulled a chair out for her to sit. Once they were settled, a man appeared in front of them. He introduced himself as chef Romanoff and quickly briefed them on their menu for the evening. When he left, a line of staff took his place. One deposited drinks she wasn’t aware had been ordered but liked the selection. Another dropped off fresh baked bread and butter, and yet another placed a fancy gourmet salad in front of each of them. It was the fastest service she had ever experienced, and it almost made her dizzy.

Light jazz played in the background as Leighann shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She thought the dress and driver had been something, but this... this was on a whole other level.

From the satisfied look on Enrique’s face, everything was going according to his plan. He seemed used to whatever this grand gesture was. But Leighann wasn’t. She was new to all of this, and she didn’t want to get used to it because she wasn’t this type of person.

She tried to wrangle her thoughts and keep them to herself for now. Determined to do what she needed to get through the evening and then discuss the situation with him the next day. Enrique was clearly enjoying their time together. He may have picked up on her anxiety because he kept asking if she was okay or if she needed anything. What she wanted to say was, “Yes, get me out of here.” Instead, she grinned and tried to enjoy herself the best she could.

The food was delicious, and the wine good, even though she didn’t really drink it, so she had little tocompare it to. However, all she could think about was how much all of this was costing. The only reason she made it through the meal was the easy conversation with the man in front of her.

They were still chuckling at something Enrique said as they got settled in the car. Once the driver drove out of the parking lot, Enrique turned to her.

“I’m so happy you agreed to do this with me tonight,” he revealed. “Thank you for such an enjoyable evening. I definitely want to do this again- many more times.”

She looked into his eyes in the dark interior of the car, illuminated only by the streetlights of downtown Aspen. Not bothering to hide her emotions any longer, she blurted out, “Enrique, look, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making this first date… special. But I have to be honest with you: if this is what dating you looks like, then you’ll have to find someone else to do this with. I have no desire ever to spend that kind of money on a meal again. I don’t think I have ever been so uncomfortable in my life.”

His lips quirked slightly. “Well, technically, I spent the money.”

Her cheeks grew warm as her temper flared at his flippant remark. This wasn’t a joke. “Neither do I have any intentions of being with someone who would spend that amount of money on a meal. It turns my stomach to see that kind of waste. Did you seriously rent out the entire restaurant so you could have a private meal?”

He straightened now. “Not the entire restaurant; they had reservations they couldn’t change. So, you didn’t enjoy the date?”

“I enjoyed spending time with you. The food was delicious, I think- not my usual flavors. But I would have enjoyed it more if it were in a different setting. I didn’t enjoy all the glitz and glitter. I’m a simple girl, and that isn’t going to change because I am with a wealthy man.”

“Different setting?”

She blinked. “The kind that doesn’t involve spending a month’s salary on food that looks too pretty to eat.”

His brow arched because he still didn’t understand. “But I’m confused. It’s called a date for a reason. I believe the whole premise is that it should be different from the usual dinner you’d have in your home, and the person planning it is supposed to put in a great deal of effort to show that they care. It’s supposed to be special.”

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