Page 20 of Following His Commands

I makeit to the restaurant early and order a glass of white wine. I need something to calm my nerves. This whole dating thing is completely new to me.

When a guy approaches the table with a huge grin, I know it must be my date and I silently thank Daisy for setting me up with someone that is at least easy on the eyes. Shallow, I know. But, hey, if there isn’t attraction, then it’s not a good start.

“You must be Danielle. I’m Bert.” He smiles while holding out a palm to me.

“Just Dani. It’s nice to meet you, Bert.” I stand and shake his hand.

He takes a seat and glances at my glass. “Have you been waiting long?” he asks.

“No, not long at all.”

“Oh, good.”

I look at him. Golden skin, blue eyes, sandy-blonde hair. He is pretty, probably too pretty. “How was your day?” I ask. I have no idea what I’m meant to say.

What do two strangers talk about?

My mind drifts to Alistair. There has never been an awkward silence between us. Our conversations happen organically. Nothing is ever forced.

Blinking away those thoughts, I return my focus to my date.

“Hectic, the market is crazy at the moment. What about you? Daisy tells me you’re a lawyer,” he says.

“I’m a paralegal, not a lawyer. My day was… busy,” I answer him.

“Oh, okay.”

More silence. I pick up the menu. “Have you been here before? I haven’t but everything sounds good.”

“I have. The oysters are always good,” he says.

“Oh, I’m allergic to shellfish,” I lie. I just don’t like seafood, and I find people leave me alone and don’t try to change my opinion if I just tell them I’m allergic.

“That’s a shame. I think I’ll have the steak,” he says, folding the menu and placing it back on the table.

The waiter approaches us. Bert orders a rare porterhouse, and I order the pesto pasta. Halfway through the meal, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I can’t handle the silence. I’ve never felt more awkward or out of place in my life.

Staring in the mirror, I reapply my lipstick.You can do this, Dani. Go back out there and charm the guy.I give myself a mental pep talk.

Reclaiming my seat at the table, I notice Bert has stopped eating and waited for me to return. “I’m sorry,” he says.

“About?” I ask, picking up my fork.

“My lack of conversational skills tonight. It’s just been a really long week already and I’m exhausted. It’s not you.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I totally understand. I haven’t been much help either. I’m new at this whole dating thing. I don’t really know how this is meant to work,” I admit.

“You’re new to dating?” he asks.

“Uh-huh, I dated the same guy from fifteen until, well, seven months ago,” I tell him.

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“He left me at the altar on our wedding day.”

“Shit, that’s… harsh.” He winces.

“It was… but now I’m a free agent. So here we are.” I smile, even though bringing up memories of that day makes me want to do anything but.

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