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“Sophia is a beautiful name.”
“I was named after my grandmother. Your turn.” She gave him a curt nod.
“Alexander.”
“Is it a family name?”
“As a matter of fact, it is. I was named after my grandfather.”
She let out a soft laugh. “I told you I’m named after my grandmother, and you just happened to be named after your grandfather.”
“It’s true.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Now, can I join you for dinner?”
“All right,” she said with a shy smile.
Leo took his drink and sat at her table.
Jason returned. “Oh. You’re going to sit together? Let me get another place setting.”
Leo kept his eyes on her while Jason arranged the table. She placed her napkin on her lap and took a deep breath. She was still nervous?
“I’ll be right back to take your order.” Jason headed back inside.
Leo reviewed the wine list. “Do you like red wine?”
“I like a robust red wine.” She shook her head and covered her mouth with a hand, muttering something. After taking a deep breath, she lifted her eyes to his. “No, what I mean is I like a red wine that is…you know…strong. Something like that.”
Her embarrassment charmed him. She was shy about using a suggestive term to describe her preference for red wines.
Leo smiled at her. “You could also describe red wine as intense, edgy, or even powerful,” he said, waiting for her reaction.
She sputtered with laughter. “Okay, okay. You win. We’ll settle on elegant. How’s that?”
“It’s perfect,” Leo said, taking in her beautiful smile.
Jason returned. “Are you ready to order?”
“I’ll have the grilled lamb.” She handed the menu to Jason.
“I’ll have the same.” Without taking his eyes off her, Leo said, “We’ll also have a bottle of the 2012 Armand Rousseau Bordeaux.”
“An excellent choice, sir,” Jason said.
“It’s a perfect wine for tonight.” He handed the menu and wine list to Jason.
Once Jason left them alone, she asked him,“Why is it perfect for tonight?”Her expression was skeptical, but there was a definite yearning in her eyes.
Leo wasn’t often at a loss for words, but he was too distracted by her expressive eyes to answer her question. He was captivated by what she was thinking.
“Never mind.” She took another sip of her drink and glanced away. Silence filled the space between them again with only the guitar playing in the distance, filling the space where conversation should be happening.
“Are you familiar with bossa nova music?” Leo asked, breaking their silence.
“I don’t know a lot about any kind of music,” she answered with a shrug.
“Do you like this?”
She turned to him, holding his gaze. “I do.”
