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“Here’s to an enjoyable evening,” he says with the cutest lopsided smile. I smile back at him, and we clink glasses. We both take a sip. Mmm, this is good.
It’s a beautiful evening with a light southwest wind making it feel warmer that it is. The sun is glistening off the water as it sets. I look over at Chase, who is staring at me with those killer baby blues.
“Do you have any idea what you would like to eat?” His voice is low and raspy. I squirm in my chair.
“I’m not sure yet,” I murmur. I take another sip of wine. “I’m leaning toward the veal chop.”
“Hmm. Tough decisions,” he mutters while reading the menu.
“I thought we could sit at a table out here.”
“If that’s what you want, I’m okay with it.” I look over at him. He’s studying the menu like he’s reading an important document. He looks up and catches me staring. He grins as if he’s caught me with my hand in the cookie jar. I blush.
“Are you going to write a dissertation based on that menu?” I ask deadpan trying to conceal my amusement.
“Possibly,” he answers. He reaches over and places his hand over mine, which is resting on the bar. He rhythmically strums his thumb over my knuckles. It gives me chills.
“Are you cold?”
“No, but I’m getting hungry,” I answer. He grabs the attention of one of the waiter’s, and we are seated outside right away.
Chase orders Oysters Rockefeller knowing how much I liked them at Bobby Van’s. He orders me the veal chops, and the porterhouse for one with a baked potato and asparagus for himself. He also orders a small bottle of Pellegrino sparkling water.
“I have a surprise,” I say barely containing my glee. He looks intrigued. The waiter brings over the Pellegrino with two glasses rimmed with a lemon and a lime and scurries away.
“Are you going to keep me in suspense?” he teases as he pours each of us the water.
“I got a job,” I gush.
“Really? That’s great. For who?”
“NOAA. I had an interview today, and he hired me right on the spot.” A mercurial smile plays on his lips. Like he knows something that I don’t.
“That’s great,” he says.
“What are you hiding from me?” I ask point blank. His smile gets bigger. He knows something about this. I narrow my eyes at him. “Tell me,” I demand. He takes a sip of wine and puts on his serious face.
“Remember in my apartment when I excused myself for a few minutes?”
“Yeah.”
“I might have made a phone call to a certain company asking about a certain someone’s possible employment.”
“You did what!” I squeal, a little too loudly covering my mouth. He shrugs his shoulders and has the decency to look contrite.
“You have the qualifications. I just gave it a little nudge.”
“Why? How?” I am beyond stunned. I knew getting the job straight out of the interview was unheard of. I gape at Chase.
“One of our investors has government connections. As for the why, you can’t figure that one out? I want to see you happy. And getting this job means more money, which means your own apartment, which means more space. I told you, I will do everything in my power to ensure your happiness. I have the connections, why shouldn
’t I use them?”
I grab my wine glass, draining it. I pick up the bottle to refill my now empty glass. This is insane. I have known him for like a hot minute, and he’s finding me employment?
He has done more for me in the past couple of weeks than Evan ever did the entire time we were together. In fact, it was always the other way around. I did everything for him. Evan was so used to having things done for him, it was almost expected of me. Any time I went over to his house and there wasn’t anyone home, I would cook. Without me, he would have starved. The man couldn’t boil water. Not that I’m much better, but at least I tried. He was carless for a while, and I drove him wherever he needed to go. To work, to the gym, football with his friends. It was beyond annoying, but I did it because I loved him. I wonder if he would have ever reciprocated. I’m not used to being on the receiving end. I’m not sure if I should be grateful or fearful.
“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.
