Page 9 of Tryst
“No, no. You've said all the right things.” Up until then. “Something I had to do for work tomorrow crossed my mind. It's not important now.”
“Good. No more thinking about work, especially if it's going to put that look on your face.”
“You're right.”
Our waiter comes over and as I'm about to order Ian says, “May I?” Tilting my head toward the menu I say yes to his request, uncertain if he'll pick something I’ll like, but give him the chance to try and impress me even more if that‘s possible. He has already done such a great job from the boat ride, to bringing me here for dinner. This was not spontaneous; he put some thought and planning into this day.
I've heard of the restaurant, Don Coqui, seen it from pictures of stars like Jennifer Lopez and Khloe Kardashian eating here. The space is open and airy with white walls and high ceilings. A marble bar, hardwood floors, and white linen tablecloths with tables set for two, facing a beautiful view of the water that would be equally as beautiful at sunset. This is all amazing, and he's doing it with me and not Aunt Callie or anyone else.
Me.
Our waiter returns with our order and places a succulent plate of seafood paella in front of me with shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, calamari, chicken, and chorizo over a bed of yellow rice. He knows what I like, this is what I would have picked also. I take a bite and the flavors spread through my mouth, snapping my taste buds to life. I wouldn't admit this to my mother, but this paella is better than my grandmother’s recipe.
Near the end of the meal I had to ask, “So…you and Callie?”
“There is no me and Callie.” He twirls linguine onto his fork with the spoon.
“My mother thinks there could be a future for both of you.” I try to keep the agitation out of my voice. I've been trying not to think about them, and if maybe they have unresolved feelings for each other since the conversation at the spa yesterday. After all, she's the one who broke up with him.
“That was a long time ago, and we have both moved on. I told your mother as much when I spoke to her today.”
My eyebrows rise. “Why would my mother call you?”
“She wanted to see if I would be receptive to dinner with Callie at your place. She's been trying to get us together since that weekend in June, so I explained that I am perfectly happy. I spoke to Callie before I left that weekend, and we agreed being friends was best.”
“Friends like us or without the benefits?” My lips twist up.
He smirks. “Without.”
I want to jump on the table give a shimmy and a shake. “Cool. How did my mother take it?”
He sets his hands on the table palms up to me. I put my fork down placing my hands on his, loving the strength and the feel of his touch. “She was disappointed, but she said it would be nice if I came over for dinner anyway, so she set it up. Then I had to make an excuse to get off the phone when she started talking about the beautiful women she knew who would be ready to settle down with a man like me.”
I smile. “Nothing is going to deter her agenda. Right now that sounds like finding you the right woman.” I smile through the words, so he doesn't know how much it affects me.
“I know how to get around it though. I can't be caught if I don't want to be.”
Don't I know it.
“Look over to your right,” he says.
The sun is setting in hues of orange and yellow; the window framing it like a beautiful work of art. “It is awe-inspiring.”
“It is.”
He squeezes my hand, and I affectionately squeeze back. “This is the perfect ending to the day.”
“The day’s not over.”
“It isn't?” I perk up with excitement.
“Of course not. What would dinner be without dessert?”
“What are we having? Did you order it already?” I'm a dessert kind of girl. If I could have it before dinner, I would.
“Dessert is off the premises.” He raises his hand stroking his thumb across my bottom lip.
“Oh, that kind of dessert. Well, you know I'm all for that. Making your body my dessert with a can of whipped cream is worth waiting for.”
