Lucas stared at me, and my gut clenched.His eyes blazed with hunger and not for food.
“You’re hungry, and that’s all that matters.What would you like to eat?”
I swallowed.Why did that make me feel out of sorts?“I’d like to try German food.”
“I know a place, but we’ll have to double back a bit.Are you okay with that?”
“Let’s go.”I didn’t mind walking.We made our way back and passed the Christmas shop, where I couldn’t resist glancing through the window at those stained-glass wolves.Lucas slowed down and looked over at me, then led me past the shop and stopped to pull open a large wooden door to a restaurant whose name I hadn’t seen.
The second I walked in, the smell of sausages filled the air.A couple waited in front of us, and it gave me time to look around.The building was decorated like a Bavarian village, and had a homey feel too it.Most of the tables were filled, but when the hostess came back, she was able to seat us right away.The wooden chairs and tables had unique designs to them.
Opening the menu, I began to read.Not an overwhelming number of choices but still a nice selection.Our waiter walked up and set water on the table.“Welcome.I’m Greg, your waiter.Can I get you something other than water to drink?”
“I’ll have an IPA,” Lucas said.
“I’m going to try the non-alcoholic pineapple mule, please.”
“Very good.I’ll be back with those.”
There were a few things on the menu I wanted to try, but I wouldn’t be able to eat all of them.
“Hard time deciding?”Lucas asked.
“A bit.”
“What are your top two?”
“Schnitzel and a Brat.”Both looked delicious to me.
“Both are good choices.”Lucas kept his gaze on the menu in front of him.“Why don’t we do the platter for two since it has both of those and sides with it.”
It took me a minute to find it on the menu so I could see what the sides were.German potatoes, sauerkraut, and bread.“Will that work for you?”I didn’t want Lucas to forgo something he wanted just to make me happy.
“Yes, along with a pretzel appetizer.”
Always with the appetizers, but I wouldn’t argue with him.“Sounds great.Although you might need to roll me out of here.”
Lucas laughed, and the sound vibrated through my body.The waiter returned with our drinks.“Have you decided on what you’d like to eat?”
“Yes, we want the platter for two and the pretzel appetizer,” Lucas told him.
“Great choices.I’ll bring the appetizer right out.”He picked up our menus and walked away.
Lucas reached across the table and put his hand on top of mine.“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes.The shops are great, and I’m loving the ambiance.”
“You haven’t bought a lot.”
“Only what I need.”I had a hard time spending money on myself.I’d always been that way, which was why I was able to save up when I was younger.I thought back to the stained-glass wolves.I had the perfect place for them, but even though the price wasn’t bad, it still held me back.
“I think you already found something you really want.”
“Why would you think that?”Was I that transparent?
“Your eyes lit up just now.”
“You’re way too observant.”Lucas could read me so easily, but then he’d been able to do that back then too.
