Blaise’s gaze cut to Noah and narrowed. “I’m sure he has.” She cleared her throat and clutched her purse to her stomach. “Well, I better get back to my friend. Have a good night.”
“You too, Blaise,” Noah said before turning his attention back to me, and his hand inched closer to mine on the tablecloth. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something stupid, and I was positive he noticed when one side of his lips quirked up. “Did you see the view on your way to the washroom? There’s a balcony on that side of the restaurant. I’d love to show it to you after dinner.”
I swallowed before shaking my head to his question as I felt my ruffled feathers settle. “I’d love that, too.”
I didn’t even notice Blaise leave, but then again—as Noah’s fingers splayed out on the tablecloth less than an inch from mine—I barely remembered seeing her in the first place.
* * *
I found myself relaxing a smidgen when the waiter delivered our first course. The food looked like tentacles, but I’d never really been a picky eater, so I gave it a go.
Surprisingly delicious.
Then there were scallops, crab, salmon, steak, oysters—gag me—and numerous other things where I worried the chef forgot to remove the eyeballs before serving them.
Noah assured me it was intentional, which scared me even more.
But the chocolate cake was to die for. Literally. I would’ve stabbed myself in the neck with my butter knife if it meant I could eat another one. Luckily, Noah shared most of his with me.
I was tempted to ask if we could order a couple more cake slices, then figured it’d be safer to wait until at least the third date for him to realize my unorthodox eating habits were more befitting a hungry, hungry hippo.
Or maybe the fifth date. Just to be safe.
Noah made good on his promise to show me the balcony, and we spent a while peacefully watching the city pass us by in the chilled night air.
It was getting late, so we headed downstairs and made our way out to the cozy parking lot.
“So, do I get to plan the next one?” I swung my arms at my sides as we strolled along, trying to sound nonchalant.
“The next one?”
“Our next date.” I winced when I realized how forward that sounded. “If there is one, I mean. I don’t want to assume.”
He smiled as he smoothed down his tie. “Sure, you can plan the next one.”
I smiled in relief. “Good. Clear your schedule for tomorrow night.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m calling a redo. No blazers or ties allowed. I’ll let a sweater slide, but only if you insist. Otherwise, it’s casual all the way.”
“Hold on.” Noah sliced his hand through the air as he stopped midstride. I skidded to a stop next to him and teetered dangerously on my wedges. “Aredo?”
“Yes. Not in, like, abadway.” I put my hands up and tried to backtrack. “But just because this was a little much. You know? Overwhelming for a first date. Maybe redo was the wrong word.”
Tonight reminded me more of a ten-year anniversary date, and I wouldn’t be surprised if each week a few girls ended up choking on engagement rings hidden in their desserts.
As Noah’s face turned to stone, I winced at my lack of tact.
“Shoot, Noah. I’m sorry.” I touched his wrist lightly before dropping my hand. “I’m putting my foot in my mouth. I really enjoyed tonight. Truly. It was just a little hard for me to relax, I guess?”
“So, you’re calling aredo,” Noah said slowly, as if testing out the words to see how they tasted.
“Okay, that was obviously the wrong word to use.” I scuffed my shoe against the concrete. “Poor taste on my part. I’m calling a… a second date. All right? Another date, inadditionto this one, because this was a lovely date.”
Noah puffed out a breath, and the silence gnawed at my stomach.
“Please don’t hate me,” I pleaded, my voice dropping to a whisper.
