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I kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you, Mommy.”
“You’re welcome.”
_________________
I walked into the restaurant and my heart was racing. I felt a little guilty not telling my mom the details of my dinner. I know her and if I told her the truth about this dinner, she’d be sitting in the bar or parking lot watching me.
I stopped at the maitre’d station. “Phillippe Marchant’s table.”
The grey haired gentleman looked at me and smiled. “This way, Miss.” I followed behind him as we walked along the narrow aisle that lead to a private room at the back of the restaurant. He pushed the door open and I walked inside. I looked around and didn’t see Phillippe. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you. Where is Mr. Marchant?” He answered my question with a smile and left.
I looked around the beautiful dark wood paneled intimate dining room. The small table was dressed in white linens, white china, white roses and soft soulful music was playing. I heard a door open, looked up and Phillippe walked in wearing a white apron tied around his waist. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll be your server for the first course.” He smiled.
It felt like my smile covered my face. “What?”
“I wanted to do something special for our first date.” He set the plate of appetizers down, walked around the table, and kissed me. “I have been wanting to do that since this morning.”
“Me, too.” He took his apron off and sat down. “You know this isn’t our first date.”
“It’s the first one that counts.” He smiled as he poured each of us a glass of wine.
“So what are we having?”
“For our first course, we have a plate of assorted appetizers…Grilled Crostini with Burrata, Figs, & Prosciutto, Herb Blinis with Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche, Roasted Lamb Ribs with Jalapeno Mint Sauce and Roasted Beet & Herbed Goat Cheese Napoleon.”
The past month I have stepped way outside of my food comfort zone and tried some foods I don’t think I would have ever tried, if Phillippe hadn’t persuaded me. “I’ll try the blinis.” I reached for it and he stopped me.
“I’ll serve.” He picked up a blini. “Open your mouth.” I hesitated at first and then I complied. He placed the petite bit on my tongue. I closed my eyes absorbing the flavors as I chewed. “What do you think?”
“Incredible.”
A couple of hours later, we had finished three more courses and were enjoying some cheese and wine. “Tonight is the first time I’ve seen you drink wine.”
“We were working and I didn’t think it was appropriate during business hours.”
“But tonight…”
“I’m on a date.”He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it.
“Tomorrow, I thought we…” His phone started vibrating on the table. He looked at the screen and pressed the ignore call button. “I thought it would be nice if we…” His phone buzzed with a text and he looked at the screen. “I’m sorry. I really need to deal with this.”
“I understand. Where’s the ladies’ room?”
He walked around the table, kissed me on the neck and pulled out my chair. Then he opened the door and pointed. “It’s at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you.”
Phillippe
Planning this date has been more stressful than any other date I’ve planned. If Gabriella were like my past companions, I’d fly her to Vegas for dinner and a show. And if she were so inclined, we’d stay the night, possibly longer.
I should be upset that Gabriella doesn’t expect a lot from me, but it’s like Tony said, she’s not impressed by the things. I have dated girls who had the audacity to email pictures of the latest bags, shoes and things they wanted me to buy for them. These women would jump at the chance to join the private jet mile high club, or willingly offer me limo sex. Gabriella isn’t like that. I had to force her to take that gown and wear it to a work function.
I didn’t push the issue of not picking her up, because right now I’m letting her call the shots until she feels comfortable and trusts me.
