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“It’s the wife’s birthday,” he says to the man as he points at me. “I’m hoping the steaks here live up to their reputation!”
“They’re wonderful,” the man says. He looks at me and smiles. “Happy birthday!”
“Thank you.”
The bartender comes over, wiping his hands with a bar towel.
“My name is Keith,” he says. “What can I get you?”
“Good to meet you, Keith!” Again, Deklan is overly friendly. “I’m Deklan, and I’d love a bourbon. What would you like, Kera?”
He smiles at me as I quietly order a glass of wine. When the bartender comes back with our drinks, Deklan places a hundred dollar bill on the bar and tells him to keep the change.
“Thank you very much, sir! Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you!”
“That was generous,” I say after the bartender walks away.
“I like to get to know my bartenders,” Deklan says quietly. “Big tippers are remembered. That way, I always get good service.”
I’m not buying his explanation even though it’s a reasonable one.
Once we are seated in the dining room, Deklan introduces himself to the server, Rachel, and tells her it’s my birthday. She congratulates me and promises to bring out a cake after we eat. When she leaves with our orders, I glare at Deklan but say nothing.
When dinner is delivered, I have to admit that the steaks are fabulous, and I am far hungrier than I thought I would be. Deklan seems very pleased with himself and even tells the people at the next table that it’s my birthday. They sing along when the cake is brought out.
“Embarrassed?” Deklan asks as he leads me back to the car. He’s grinning from ear to ear.
“Confused.” I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t understand whatever game he’s playing. He is obviously up to something, but I can’t fathom what it might be.
“I’m sorry about all that.” He chuckles softly, negating the apology. “I just wanted to, you know, keep you occupied.”
“I realize that.” I have the distinct feeling that there is more to this little outing than Deklan is telling me, but I don’t let on. It was a nice dinner.
“How about a movie?”
I let out a sigh. I’m tired, and I’d rather just go back home and go to bed, but Deklan is insistent. I’m not even sure of the movie title when we walk into the huge theatre with large sodas and popcorn.
As soon as the previews start, Deklan spills the popcorn all over the guy next to him.
“What the f
uck?” The guy stands up and popcorn flies everywhere.
“Dude!” Deklan jumps up as well. “I am so sorry. Totally my bad. Here”—Deklan pulls a card from his pocket—“this is my card. Give me a call tomorrow, and I’ll pay for your cleaning. Hell, I’ll buy you a whole new outfit. It was completely my fault.”
I shake my head as Deklan sits back down. He does seem to have placated the man beside him, who grumbles as he shoves Deklan’s card in his wallet.
“What does the card say on it?” I ask quietly.
“Deklan Kearney and a phone number.”
“That’s it?”
“Yep.”
“Whose number?”
“Mine.”
