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Her progress is clear.
I pause at a red light. Noelle chuckles to herself as she types something to her. “Now, she’s calling herself a porcupine. I swear, she’s so dramatic.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“Well,” she lets out a breath as she puts her phone back in her purse, “I’m just glad she’s doing better. We’ve been through this before, so it’s not new. The only thing I’m scared of is her relapsing again.”
“That’s not going to happen.” The light turns green and I step on the accelerator. “Besides, have I told you, you look beautiful tonight?”
Noelle crosses her arm and gives me a reproachful look. “Not even once, Mr. Thatcher.”
Reaching over the console for her hand, I lift it to my lips to kiss her knuckles. “Apologies, Miss Quinn.”
She laughs and jerks her hand away. “Focus. Um, where are we going again?”
“Reece’s.”
Instantly, her eyes bulge. “On Main?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s expensive. Heck, a meal costs half my paycheck.”
“So?”
She goes silent for a while. Then she anxiously glances at me. “Are you planning to propose to me or something?”
A deep laugh rumbles from my belly. “Where did that come from?”
“I don’t see why you’ve got me dressed up and all to go to a fancy, not to mentionveryexpensive place.”
“You deserve it. You deserve all the good things, Noelle.”
She blushes furiously. “Just to be on the safe side, I have a question. There’s no ring? I mean, you’re not planning to propose on this date, right?”
I glance at her. “Is that what you want?”
“No.” She sounds panicky.
Ouch.
“Then I assure you, there’s none.”
We fall back into silence as Noelle gazes out the passenger window at the city lights. I take in the shape of her legs through the semi-darkness of the car. This dinner date isn’t just a break away from the apparent chaos of her personal life. It’s a break away from our professional lives too. It’s also my opportunity to talk to her. Get to know each other better.
I pull the car to the curb and kill the engine. An eager valet helps Noelle out and I tip him. He throws a mock salute as I lead Noelle inside. The maître d’ gives us a pleasant smile as he ushers us to a reserved table. When we’re seated, he asks, “May I bring you something to drink?”
“Uh,” Noelle casts a cursory glance at the menu. “I’ll… I’ll just have red wine, please.”
“I’ll have a glass of martini, Edward. No ice, of course.”
When Edward leaves, Noelle leans across and whispers, “I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
Deciding to tease her, I bring my head forward and say, “I know. It shows.”
Thankfully, she catches on to the joke and laughs. “I hate you, really.”
And I think I’m starting to fall in love with you…
