“Anyway, before I knew it, I was testing products and formulas in a gigantic production warehouse and meeting with marketing managers. It was all so much so fast,” I explain with my hands, reliving the mass chaos that took over my life. “Then, when all the products were ready, the first show aired, and the line was an instance success. We sold out, and kept selling out, over and over again. Eventually, we were picked up in department stores and online, and the little project I shared with my daughter became a global success.” Sometimes I still can’t believe it. Sometimes, I still can’t believe this is my life. But it is. And I work hard every damn day. I owe it to the people who supported me. Who believed in me. Who were there when I walked away and was left with nothing.
“And the name Glam?”
“Kira called all our homemade makeup her glam products, so we stuck with that.”
“That simple.” Gerard seems to approve.
“That simple. If it wasn’t for Kira, there would be no Glam. It was only right.”
“Kira is very lucky to have you.”
I scoff. “I’m the one who’s lucky to have her.”
“Yeah, I get that,” Gerard agrees as a bus boy removes our scraped plates. “Ky’s a great kid. Well, man now. Ex-Marine, good head on his shoulders, big heart.”
“He sounds wonderful.”
“Yup, he is. Even with a father like me.”
“You don’t seem so bad. Even if you are a masked murder,” I make light.
Before Gerard has a chance to respond, Wendy appears with an armful of dishes and another waiter behind her. “Sundried tomatoes polenta cakes” — she explains each dish as she places it on the table — “beet and goat cheese napoleons, prosciutto pear bites with herbs and blue cheese, warm figs stuffed with goat cheese, pistachios, and a balsamic glaze, and last but not least, tempura shrimp skewers in a mango dipping sauce.”
Both Gerard and I sit astounded by the feast laid out in front of us. It all looks like art on an array of contemporary plates.
“This looks absolutely amazing,” I share my thoughts with Wendy.
“I’ll let the chef know you’re pleased.”
“Yeah, this looks okay,” Gerard feigns being unimpressed.
I shake my head at him.
“I’ll refresh your drinks.” Wendy grabs our glasses up. “Bon Appetit.”
“Would it be totally unattractive if I just start stuffing my face right now?” I laugh as I survey all the food.
“Not at all. I love a woman who can eat.” Gerard grabs a stuffed fig and holds it up in front of me. It’s almost like a moment of truth, taking food straight from his fingers. It’s such an intimate gesture. But if there is one thing I’m coming to realize, it’s that I like Gerard, and the idea of intimacy with him turns me on more than I was prepared for. I lean forward and take the fig from his offering hand, hoping it’s more alluring than unappealing. It’s been a long time since I was attracted to a man. And even longer since I was actually sexy.
Gerard’s heavy breathing and alight eyes tell me he approves of my action. My stomach flutters in a way that’s foreign to me. Even with my ex, there were never really butterflies. Not the kind I’m feeling with Gerard. A blanket of sexual tension descends on the table, and for a moment there is only him and me suspended in a heated moment. A flaming moment.Holy God.
“Two bourbon and Cokes.” Wendy cheerfully drops our refreshed drinks on the table, extinguishing our connection.
“Thank you,” I respond graciously.
“Welcome.Oh,you tried the figs. They’re my favorite. Totally decadent.”
“That’s definitely one way to describe them.” Gerard never breaks eye contact with me, innuendos flying all over the place from his response. I think I’m actually blushing.Who am I right now?Definitely not a forty-two-year-old woman, that’s for sure. I’m more like a fourteen-year-old girl smitten with the man sitting across from her.
Wendy leaves us to dine, and we indulge in the food and each other’s company.
By the time we finish dessert, I’m so full my pants are tight, and I’ve laughed and smiled so much my cheeks hurt. I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful dinner and company to match.
“Ready to blow this joint?” Gerard tosses his napkin on the table.
He’s so . . .masculine.It’s the best word I can come up with. There’s such an air of authority in everything he does, even with the simplest of gestures. My ex is nothing like him. He’s all clean-cut, impeccable clothes, and condescending attitude. He doesn’t drip with authority the way Gerard does. With an air of dominance. It’s sexy, and a little bit intimidating, but also intriguing. I feel safe with him. That’s crazy to think since I only just met the man, but there’s something about him, something I’m wildly attracted to.
“I’m sort of sad to see the night end.” I stand along with Gerard. The sun has set completely, and we are now surrounded by darkness and a blanket of beautiful stars.
