Page 58 of Single-Minded
I finish my wine, my third glass, I think, while chatting with a local author named Darby Vaughn, who’s funny and bright, and the kind of person you meet and ten minutes later it feels like you’ve known them all your life. I sneak a peek as Daniel talks with the group of local chefs he invited. He looks up and smiles at me as though I’d called his name.
“That’s some serious chemistry,” says Darby to me. “Are you and Daniel together?”
“No, no.” I shake my head. “He’s a client.” As though that somehow explains everything.
“Client, hmmm. He keeps looking over at you.” She smiles. “Definitely some serious sparks.”
My cheeks flush. I feel it.
Darby’s friends begin to congregate at my table and then after a few moments, Daniel joins the group. As they thank him for the party, I grab my clutch and my wrap, and wait my turn to say goodbye to him.
Before I can speak, he leans forward and whispers in my ear, “Please don’t go,cher.”
49
The remaining guests ready themselves to leave, hug their host, and disembark into the warm night. My heart thumps achingly at the possibility of what might lie ahead. I visit the ladies’ room to smooth my hair and freshen up. Also, because it’s easier to hide out in the restroom than nonchalantly hang around the boat decknot leavingwhile everyone else is saying goodbye. Apparently dating involves spending a lot of time in the bathroom, which is something I had not anticipated.
I readjust my cleavage, brush my teeth using one of the tiny disposable toothbrushes I always keep in my bag for emergencies, and touch up my lip stain. Emerging a few minutes later, I’m surprised to find that the boat deck has cleared out almost completely. Servers are cleaning up what’s left of the dessert table, clearing wineglasses and empty plates. A wide smile appears on Daniel’s face as soon as he sees me, and he crosses the deck to join me.
Suddenly I feel awkward and self-conscious, even though I’ve been alone with Daniel at the restaurant dozens of times before.
“Thanks for inviting me tonight,” I say. “I had fun, and it’s so easy to see how amazing Boudreaux is going to be once it opens.”
“Thank you for being here,” he says. “I’m glad you stayed. I thought you might take off after the surprise Santiago visit, and then the thing with Carter. I’m so sorry I even brought that up. After that mess, I’m lucky if you ever come back.”
“I don’t scare that easily,” I say, with more boldness than I feel.
“I’m very glad to know that,” he says. He glances around at the servers cleaning up. “They’ll be done in fifteen minutes or so.”
He seems anxious for them to leave.
50
I smile at Daniel, unsure of what to say.
“Would you like a drink or anything?” he asks. “Maybe some dessert? I noticed you didn’t have any.” I shake my head no. But I could get used to this, a guy who worries about whether or not I’ve had enough dessert.
I feel awkward, incredibly awkward.
“Why am I here?” I ask, a little too bluntly.
“I’m sorry,” he says quickly, apologetically. “Do you not want to be here?”
“I’m just confused,” I say. “Is this about work?”
“Is that why you stayed?” he asks.
“I stayed because you asked me to,” I say. A perfectly ambiguous answer. I’m suddenly afraid of giving myself away.
I hold tight to the railing of the boat, looking out into the dark bay. The night sky is sprinkled with stars and I wonder what it might be like to lie on my back on the boat deck and just look up.
Daniel stands next to me, wordlessly, looking out over the water. On the other side, the artful arch of the Ringling Bridge spans into the darkness. He reaches out and takes my hand, entwining my fingers in his, and the two of us stand there awhile longer, still in the moment.
His hand is warm, gentle, and I smile at how giddy I feel at this small romantic gesture.
“There’s something about you that feels like we’ve known each other a very, very long time,” he says softly.
“Years long, or reincarnation long?” I ask, only half joking.
