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“I’m a psychologist, not a mind reader,” he replied, and he drew her into his arms for a lengthy kiss that removed all doubt as to her affection for him. “I should have done that before giving you the flowers. Now go on and fix your makeup. I’m getting hungry.”
“For something more than me?” she teased.
He laughed. “There’s the Catherine I know.”
She felt like herself now too, but it was difficult to reapply her makeup when she couldn’t stop smiling.
Pasadena was filled with fine restaurants, but Luke took the freeway for the short trip to China Town. Delighted by his choice, she reached for his hand as soon as his car was safely parked.
“I came here with my parents when I was a little girl. I loved the food, but tossing dimes to the organ grinder’s monkey and dropping pennies into the wishing well were what really made the evening fun for me.”
“We used to come here too. So much is new now, but I think you’ll like this place.” He grabbed for the dragon door handle and ushered her inside. Dimly lit, the elegantly appointed restaurant was scented with sandalwood incense and boughs of fragrant jasmine.
“Everything smells delicious. If the food tastes half as good, I may not want to leave.”
As they approached the hostess, Luke slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Don’t worry, I’ll offer an irresistible incentive to return home.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” she responded softly.
He gave his name, and they were shown to a red leather booth in a secluded corner. Catherine slid in first, and Luke followed. He reached under the table and laced his fingers in hers. “This is the most romantic restaurant I know. I hope you’ll like the food.”
“I’m sure I will.?
?? She left her hand in his as she perused the menu with an eager gaze. “I love wonton soup, and walnut shrimp, beef and broccoli, spareribs, and oh, I’ll bet their green beans are perfectly crisp and delicious.”
Luke closed his menu. “Why don’t we just order one of everything?”
“That would be way too much food,” she cautioned. She loved seeing him in a lighthearted mood and decided right then to do her best not to mention Lost Angel all evening.
“Then we’ll just take home the leftovers in those cute little cartons,” Luke promised, “and you’ll have enough food for a week. Although you don’t look as though you eat more than a few spoonfuls a day.”
“I’m blessed with a fast metabolism, but even with that advantage, I haven’t really been hungry in a long while.”
“Well, you certainly sound hungry tonight, but be sure to save room for your fortune cookie.”
Catherine responded with a knowing smile, but he was all she wanted for dessert. “Thank you for bringing me to such a special place.” Their waiter arrived before Luke could respond, and he ordered all her favorites plus spring rolls and fried rice.
She poured their tea from the warm ceramic pot into the matching cups. She raised hers in an affectionate toast. “To good evenings with good friends.”
Luke took a small sip, then set his cup aside. “I hope I’m more than a good friend.”
“You’re on your way, but I’m trying not to be presumptuous again. Besides, I believe lovers should also be friends. Are you worried that we’re not?”
He looked away for a moment. “Let’s not worry about anything tonight.”
“That sounds ominous. Do you recommend taking life one night at a time?” Catherine feared she knew where his thoughts were leading and held her breath.
“No, but it’s a practical approach,” Luke insisted. “It’s an effective way to beat an addiction, and it might not be such a bad way to look at life in general.”
She saw their waiter coming toward them with their soup balanced on his tray and hurried to respond before they were interrupted. “I happen to believe the whole point of life is growth, and that requires an openness to the future beyond what a single day, or night, might bring.”
Luke sat back while their waiter placed steaming bowls of wonton soup in front of them. “There’s a great deal to be said for living in the moment, especially when confronted with something as delicious as this.”
Disappointed he was again sidestepping an important issue, she released his hand to pick up her spoon. “I can’t wait for the fortune cookies,” she exclaimed, but while she could understand his desire to avoid contemplating the future, it didn’t make it any easier for her.
Love was widely believed to conquer all, but it had not been enough to preserve Luke’s family, and Catherine preferred silence to a debate on the subject. Either a person was open to love or he wasn’t, and in her view, it was plain were Luke stood. He was an extremely attractive man, even with his emotional scars, but she wasn’t so foolish as to believe she could ever change him. He would have to want to change on his own.
The wonton pillows were stuffed with shrimp, and Catherine savored every bite. “I can’t even remember the last time I was hungry, but then I eat so many meals alone, that one blurs into the next. I used to plan our meals for the week, but now, more often than not, I just open a can of soup.”
