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“No, it’s a place called Maggiano’s. You know it?”
“They have the best pasta.”
“You have good taste.”
Tall buildings passed outside on either side of us, so different than Afghanistan where buildings over two-stories high were a rarity. The thought reminded me of something.
“Whatever happened with that story you were working on?”
She frowned.
“Well, after Captain Jeffries kicked me out before I’d had a chance to put the story together, my readers and the website who had paid me to go to Afghanistan were not happy. I had a hard time finding any work as a freelance journalist after that.”
“That sucks.”
“You’re telling me.”
“But you’ve got a better job now?”
“I don’t know if I would go that far, but I pay my bills. What about you? What happened after…that night.”
At the mention of the night where things were left unfinished, the mood changed in the back of the cab. She looked away, peering out the window on her side. I pulled my hand back.
“Yeah, it didn’t go too well for me either. I left the Army about a year ago.”
“What have you been doing since then?” she asked, turning back to face me.
“Oh, a little of this and a little of that. Let’s forget about work and the past for now. We’re just two people having a great dinner together.”
“I don’t think it will be as romantic as a picnic in the foothills of a mountain range, but I’m game.”
Her smile returned, putting me at ease. The driver pulled over to the side of the road in front of Maggiano’s. I paid the driver then got out and glanced around.
“I’ve not eaten here in a while,” she said. “It’s so expensive.”
“My treat.”
We walked to the front of the restaurant. I stopped and opened the door for her. Once inside, the hostess smiled when she recognized me.
“Mr. Anderson. Your table is ready.”
“Wow. You come here a lot?” Jade asked.
“Usually alone.” I nodded my head toward the hostess as she walked away. “After you.”
She walked after the hostess. I followed behind her, loving the way the dress clung to her body.
After we were seated at my usual table in the corner, she glanced around. The sound of other couples talking filled the dining room. I sat with my back to them. They didn’t matter.
“They’re busy,” she said.
“Good food.” I picked up a menu. “I’m not sure what to get yet.”
Both of us studied our menus a moment until a waitress arrived. She took our order quickly and then we were alone again. When she left, I looked across the table at Jade.
“That sucks that story didn’t pan out for you,” I said, feeling a bit guilty about not giving her all the information I had about what was going on in Afghanistan.
“It’s probably for the best. At least I’m not traipsing across the planet to war-torn countries anymore.”
