Page 92 of Exposé

Am I overdressed?

Does it show too much?

I pulled on the long sleeves, offering a bit of modesty, soothing what little nerves I had.

"You look beautiful." Nate peered at me from across the table with a charming smile as though he'd read my mind and intrusive thoughts.

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." My eyes roamed over his fitted sage-green dress shirt paired with a deep pine tie that had a subtle geometric pattern, adding a touch of texture.

Nate brushed his hand down his chest. "I mean, I've been known to clean up well."

Silence fell between us like a gavel at a death sentence, causing my skin to ripple, his gaze fixed on mine.

"Is this the part where we talk about the weather?" I grabbed my glass ofGrati Chiantiand sipped.

He chuckled and leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table. "I was going to ask your thoughts on tax reform, but sure, let's start small."

The light-bodied red wine trickled down the wrong tube. I coughed, clearing my airway as I laughed. "Good to know you've got the big topics ready to go."

Nate reached across the table, taking my hand in his. "Are you okay?" His smile widened.

"Never been better." I sipped the wine again and cleared my throat as the waiter stopped by our table, sliding my black truffle pasta in front of me. "Thank you." I glanced up at him with a curt nod, then sat straight in my chair.

The waiter placed Nate's plate in front of him. "Can I get you anything else?"

I shook my head and picked up my fork.

"Posso avere un altro bicchiere di vino, per favore?"Nate slid the wine glass toward the waiter with two fingers at the base.

"You speak Italian?"

"I took a class in high school."

The waiter filled his glass and left us.

"Jesus, I barely remember sitting through my French classes in college."

"So you wouldn't understand me if I said,j’ai envie de glisser entre tes jambes et te goûter?"

"Umm..."I glanced at the noodles and sauce dripping from the fork. My brow raised as I wracked my brain for my basic French skills. "No, but why does that sound so provocative?"

He laughed as I placed my silverware onto my plate and swallowed a mouthful of wine.

Good looking and speaks multiple languages?

"Maybe a little."

"Did you take French in high school as well?"

"No.Duolingohas fun games, so I pick a couple of languages and play until I get bored."

"How many languagesdoyou speak?"

He shrugged as he ate his food with a fork and spoon. "Five, including English."

I snagged my fork and bit into the truffle-laden noodles. "Jesus. Which ones?"

"Spanish, French, English, Italian, and Arabic."

---