AllFreeNovel
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I decide on a pair of leopard print heels with black skinny jeans to start, then add an olive silk blouse. I tuck the blouse in but unbutton the top few buttons and roll up the sleeves just enough to walk that fine line of casual and dressy. I’ll take a black blazer with me and see what feels right when I see Raf.
While transferring contents into my black purse, I hear a knock on the door. Is that Raf? Does anyone still knock at the door? I figured he’d text me when he was pulling up outside. I didn’t tell Lisa I had a date. I purposely kept it vague when I said I was going out to dinner. I’m 27 but going on a first date makes me feel 17 again.
I run down the stairs as quickly as I can and get to the door just as Lisa is walking through the living room to answer it.
“I’ll get it,” I tell her. She looks up at me over her glasses and my cheeks flush hot and pink. I know she sees it, but she’s never been one to pry.
I really don’t want to go through the whole process of introducing Raf and my aunt. Being back in the house I grew up in is weird. I don’t want to have to explain anything. It’s been less than two weeks since I ended my last relationship. I’m not ready to answer questions about this one yet, since I don’t even know what it is. I’d rather keep this date just between me and Raf.
“Ok. Have a good time,” she says, trying to keep her voice neutral. “Don’t stay out too late.”
I give her a quick kiss on the cheek, and she heads back to the kitchen where she’s getting her own dinner started.
When I open the door, I see Raf standing there looking gorgeous in a dark gray suit and white button-down shirt open just enough that I can see the top edge of his chest tattoo. He’s wearing sleek Ferragamo shoes. He looks like he even got a shave and a haircut. I half expect him to hand me a bunch of flowers or chocolates. Thankfully he doesn’t. But he does look me up and down without saying anything.
“Ready to go?” I ask without letting go of the door.
“I am if you are.”
“Bye, Lisa! Be back later.” I head out the door and close it behind me.
I watch Raf as he drives. I realize this is the first time I’ve seen him anywhere but at the bakery. It feels intimate to be in his car. “Where are we going?”
“Dante & Luigi’s. Have you ever been?”
“No, but I’ve heard of it.” Dante & Luigi’s is over 100 years old. Authentic Italian.
“Well, I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“How’s your leg doing?”
“Feeling better. Not quite 100% but I should be there in another week.” He glances over at me and grins. “You did a good job patching it up.”
I laugh, but I’m vividly reminded of cleaning his wounds while he was in his underwear. “I just did what you told me.” I turn to look out the window to hide the flush in my cheeks. What else would Raf tell me to do?
Raf pulls his car up to the valet. Dante & Luigi’s is in a pair of converted townhouses on a small street.
I follow him up to the entrance. “Are we near your neighborhood?”
Raf pauses as we walk up the steps to the door. He turns and points across the street and over the buildings. “I’m about ten blocks that way. Toward the Delaware.” Raf opens the restaurant door for me as we enter.
Immediately the host recognizes him. “Mr. Colucci. Welcome!” The host glances at the reservation list. “Dining for two tonight? Your table is ready.” It looks like Raf made reservations, but they seem to know him so well he wouldn’t have needed them.
They seat us at a small table in front of an unlit fireplace with a beautifully carved wood surround. I still get the sense that this was a townhouse at some point, but it works as a restaurant. We’re probably sitting in what used to be the living room. A chandelier hangs from the center of the high ceiling, casting a soft glow throughout the room.
I order gnocchi and Raf orders lasagna. As we settle in, some of the awkwardness of a first date melts away. The waiter returns with a bottle of wine, and I listen as Raf interacts with him while he opens it and pours the glasses. It’s interesting seeing how he treats everyone. Not having seen Raf outside of the bakery before now, it’s not something I’ve had much opportunity to observe yet.
I have to ask him the question that’s on my mind. “How’d you get into your job?” It’s such a cliché first-date question that I hate to ask it. But with Raf’s job, it really matters to me.
Raf sets his elbows on the table and clasps his hands together in front of him. He looks down at the fireplace next to us. Maybe I’ve crossed a line. But it needs to be crossed.
He looks at me. There’s thought in his eyes. He doesn’t talk about this much. It’s not that he doesn’t want to share with me. He’s thinking about what to share.
“Most guys grow up into it. I didn’t. My parents were hard-working and law-abiding. But you know about it growing up. It’s all around us.”
I nod in agreement.
Raf continues. “After I got out of the military, I felt a bit… lost. I saw my parents differently. They always worked hard. Harder than anyone I know. And for what? They’d been taken advantage of their whole life. Used for their labor. I didn’t want to feel that way. A guy I grew up with was involved with the Italians. He introduced us. I made myself useful and worked my way up over time. What I do now is no worse than what I did in the military.”
