Page 25 of Candid Moments
“Again, lady’s choice.”
His hand swipes across my ass then he grabs it before releasing me from his hold. “Let’s go. We have a reservation.”
We leave my place, take the elevators downstairs, then get into his ride. During the entire ride, his right hand rests on my thigh and I practically drool over his sexy side profile. Although he is close-lipped about our first location, I start to get a clue when he hops on the Parkway. However, when he takes the Garden Street exit, butterflies fill my stomach, pun intended.We are going to the Butterfly Garden. He listens.
“Denim! My favorite spot,” I gush when he pulls up to valet.
“I promised this would be our first date.”
“You are going to love it here.”
Excitedly, I practically jump out when the valet opens my door. Denim meets me and we walk up to the main entrance. The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful, indoor, dome-shaped glass structure that houses an array of butterflies, flowers, and plants. Patrons are free to tour and explore the garden year-round. The back entrance of the garden has a stoned path that leads to the Bella House, a historical home converted to an event space and upscale restaurant.
There’s a huge iron butterfly, colored by beautiful flowers at the entrance of the garden and wrought iron benches with butterfly shaped backs are stationed throughout the garden for patrons to sit and enjoy nature in its glorious state. Even during the winter months, the garden is vibrant and full of color.
As soon as we enter, I walk him over to the digital display board. The curators constantly update it with the current species inhabiting the garden. A black butterfly with yellow and blue on the tip of his wings fills the screen followed by its name, Mourning Cloak. According to the screen, it’s one of the few butterflies that spends their winters as adults.
“I’ve never seen a black butterfly,” he utters.
“You will tonight,” I say, beaming. I really love this garden.
Butterflies are so amazing and the species and variations of them provide an almost unlimited supply of beauty. The second butterfly appears on the screen and this one is just as colorful. It’s golden and black, resembling a bee. Just like the Mourning Cloak, this Angel-Wings also spends its winter as an adult.
When the screen changes again and it’s back to Mourning Cloak, we walk through the garden. A few times, I catch the awe in his hazel eyes as he marvels at the pretty creatures fluttering around the garden. At the back entrance, we check in at the hostess stand then walk across the path of sea glass stepping stones. Each stepping stone has a unique butterfly design. This date is already perfect and we haven’t even sat down for dinner.
The restaurant has three dining rooms and he has reserved a table in the Metamorphosis. It’s the butterfly-themed room. One thousand species of butterflies have been hand painted on the walls and ceiling. It’s truly amazing. I only have one regret and that’s leaving my camera at home.
The moment we are seated, a sommelier approaches the table with wine glasses and a bottle of the Metamorphosis Roomhouse selection, Butterfly Effect Blend. As he explains the wine and pours our samples, two waitresses and what looks like a chef approaches. We both taste the wine and agree to a glass. After the sommelier pours the wine, the chef and waitresses approach.
“Good Evening, Dr. Morris. I’m Chef Roland Piqueen. I will be preparing the tasting menu for your enjoyment tonight,” he says and I’m impressed. Denim pulled out all of the stops. He clearly put a lot of thought into this date. “First up is this delicious artichoke soup with winter truffles and tiny brioche crisps on top. Bon appetit.”
The chef walks off and the two servers place the small soup bowls in front of us. They also tip over our other glasses on the table and fill them with ice water. It appears we each have a waitress. The moment they walk off, I grab his hand. Truly appreciative, I squeeze it, then express my sincerest gratitude.
“Denim, this is absolutely…everything. Thank you. Listening to me when I speak and following through with what you said means a lot. This night is beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you,” he says before raising our intertwined hands and kissing the back of mine. “I’m just glad that you like this.”
“I love it and the chef and his tasting menu is…hell, chef’s kiss,” I say and we both laugh.
“But hey, sorry,” he says and my eyebrows furrow.
Nothing about tonight warrants an apology.“Sorry for what?” I ask.
“Not telling you to get your camera. I’ll remind you next time.”
The fact that he even thought about my camera widens the smile on my face. He acknowledges and shows interest in my passion.How can I not adore this man already?
“I can live in the moment with you tonight. No camera needed,” I admit.
I ease up, lean over the table, then kiss his lips passionately. Then, we bow our heads, say grace, and start on our first chef’s choice dish. The rest of dinner is as mouthwatering as the soup. From the wilted spinach salad and Dungeness crab ravioli to the meal ending kunafa, I’m in awe.
Every single detail is thought out with me in mind. The kunafa is a crispy shredded pastry with ooey gooey, stretchy cheese. The chef created the cheese dessert because Denim remembered I love cheese desserts and snacks. I’m thoroughly impressed and the smile his thoughtfulness solicits stays plastered on my face even when we get back into his car.
“Did you decide?” he asks.
“Decide what?”
“Where are we ending tonight?”
