Page 53 of Halluci-Dating A Demon
A chuckle breaks past his lips and then his face is firm again. “After we eat real food.”
“Can I open this then?” I lift the bottle of complimentary wine and he sighs.
“I think someone is supposed to come around and open it for us.” He straightens his collared shirt, looking so handsome in a black blazer. It’s my first time seeing him dressed up, and as much as I love him in everything, he’s really making it hard for me not to jump across the table to straddle his lap right now.
“Hello, I’m Tiffany, your waitress for the evening. Can I get you anything to drink, and have you had a chance to glance at what we’re serving tonight? There are two options to choosefrom.” She grabs the sheets of paper tucked between the wine bottle and vase holding a red rose, lying it flat on the table for us to both see.”
“I’ll take a water, and we’ll both need a few minutes on the food.” Elias glances down at his shaking hands and the lady nods.
“Of course, and what can I get you to drink?” Her attention is turned to me. “
“A water please.” I drag the paper closer to me, eyeing the options and immediately settling on the fish tacos.
“Wonderful. Would you two like your wine open now or during your meal?”
“Now will be good, please.” Elias says, fiddling with the opening of his jacket.
As soon as she pops the cork and fills our glasses, she disappears out of sight and I blink up at my date. “What are you so nervous for?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never . . . This is probably the nicest date I’ve ever been on.”
“For now.” I shoot him a smile.
“You already planning to outdo me next Valentine’s Day, or what?” He reaches for his cup, sipping his wine.
“Or planning something for a lot sooner.” I stick my nose in my cup, swirling the wine around like they do in the movies.
His face brightens in amusement. “Any hints as to what you’re thinking about doing?”
“No. It’s a secret.”
“You have no clue, do you?”
I choke on my wine, licking my lips as I hold back a laugh. “No. Not at all.”
His eyes light up and he grabs my hand, brushing his fingers over mine. “I’m so glad you came here with me, and I guess it doesn’t smell so bad after all.”
I glance up at the floating fish—clowns and angels. “It’s hard to focus on the smell of anything when the view is so perfect.”
“You do have a point there.” He stares deep into my eyes, leaning over the table to touch my cheek.
Our food comes and we watch the fish together, pointing out everything we see. I haven’t been to an aquarium or an ocean here yet and was so stoked the moment we arrived. We got a ride here, and I’m not sure either of us will be driving our own cars any time soon, or ever, but it’s not something huge on our priority list.
I’m too busy enjoying other experiences, and Elias is trying to get a better hold on his cataplexy and sleep schedule. Cars were never the issue after the accident. It was all about him sitting behind the wheel and possibly causing another accident.
“Did you see the shark yet?” he asks, pulling me from my reverie, and I watch as the large fish pushes its way through all the others. The creatures most people are supposed to be scared of are usually the most beautiful.
Elias opens the box of chocolates, passing me one, and we do a trade off when we both get what the other wants. I shove another piece between my lips, not caring for the marshmallow inside and quickly reaching for a squared chocolate. Strawberry spills onto my tongue, and Elias gets a kick out of me collecting every square one I see, laughing so hard his whole body shakes.
We walk around the aquarium, exploring other tanks after dinner’s over, and then Elias drags me back across the way and we travel further along the beach to a carnival that comes monthly.
Similar to my dreams, the rides are flashing different colors and there are lights everywhere. But here there are crowds of people everywhere and the carousel is made up of your standard zoo animals. Which I’m only familiar with through books and theMadagascarmovies.
“Where do you want to go first?” I stand still with only my head and gaze moving. The lines at the ticket booths are short, and I have my eyes set on the wrist bands allowing us on all the rides we want. But first things first. Closing my eyes, I sniff the air, and my feet move again when the scent I’m looking for hits my nose. “Cotton candy.”
He throws an arm around me. “I was thinking the exact same thing.”
“Hey, Elias,” I whisper, tugging him closer to me as we reach one of the food lines.
