Page 36 of Savage Seduction

The server pulls the large white chair from under the table. “Sir?”

I sit. “Thank you.” Ben sits as well, never taking his eyes off me.

“My name is Yamato, and I will be your server this evening. What may I bring you to drink? We have a large selectionof wines and liquors that pair well with each of the menu choices.”

I smile. “I saw that as we walked past the bar. I think I’ll have a Belvedere Vodka and tonic.” It’s my favorite go-to drink when I top-shelf booze is available and when I don’t want to think too hard about it.

“Very good choice, sir.” He places the one-page menu in front of me. “I’ll come back shortly to take your order preferences.”

“Ben, this place is lovely,” I say. “It’s modern with the black and white color designs and yet has a classic old world Japanese opulence to it.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He puts the napkin on his lap and leans in. “To be honest, I rarely come to places like this.”

“Oh?”

“No… too fussy, but this is perfect for a first date out on the town.” He smiles and the dimples deepen.

“Have you ever been here? What would you recommend I order?”

Ben nods. “A couple of times, but I always seem to get the same thing, the lobster is to die for.”

“Sounds delicious.” I look down at the menu. No prices. I know what that means, I think. “I might just have the drink I ordered.”

“It’s the no-price thing, isn’t it?” Ben asks. “Pretentious, right?”

I bite my tongue not wanting to sound ungrateful for the invitation, but I wasn’t expecting Ben to buy my dinner. This isn’t the 1960s and I’m not a mooch, but there’s no way I’m going to consciously order a dinner that, with tip, costs me a full day’s wage.

“How about this,” Ben says. “I’ll buy this time, and you can get me the next?”

Seems fair. “Deal.” I smile.

Yamato approaches the table. “Here is a flight of soup broths. Each one a sample of what’s to come and each from a different region of Japan. Have either of you tried Ashitibichi?”

Both Ben and I shake our heads, and I’m very much intrigued.

“The second sample is the Ashitibichi. It is comfort food in Japan. I can swear by its powers of healing.” The waiter rubs his tummy and smiles.

“So, kind of like chicken noodle soup here in the states?” I ask.

“Yes.” Yamato nods. “But with pig’s feet. No chicken in there. Enjoy. I will be back around to take your orders in a moment.”

I watch the waiter leave. “Which one had the pig’s feet in it?”

Ben shrugs. “I’m not sure, but I am definitely excited to try them all.”

I look down at the sampler of soup and sigh. When in Rome.

Moments later. “Your drink, sir.” Yamato places the drink with a twist of lime on the table. “Might I offer a few suggestions from the menu?”

“That’d be great,” Ben says.

“Tonight, chef has prepared a sinfully divine whole lobster. The sides tonight for this menu option are garlic mashed potato, buttered biscuits, and your choice of shrimp, prawns, or scallops. The other specialty dish today are the nude rolls. They are a delicate blend of raw salmon, tuna, avocado, cucumber, wrapped in rice paper and topped with eel sauce, Tobiko Roe, and ginger.”

“Sounds amazing,” I say, handing back the menu. “I’ll take that.”

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll have the same.”

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