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I laugh. “I don’t own anything slutty.”
“We should work on that. In the meantime, put on something presentable.”
“But I thought this was the point of us. We are low key. We order DoorDash. You don’t have to take me out, and I don’t have to wear a bra.”
“Yes, and I fear we are in danger of becoming an old married couple, minus the marriage, plus too much sex. But not tonight. Tonight, we’re going to a nice restaurant.”
“Oh. Why didn’t you say so?” I strip on my way past him, and slip on a black sweater and pants. “This okay?”
“You look great. Come on. We’re running late.”
“Wouldn’t be if you had texted ahead of time.”
“But then I couldn’t surprise you.”
Once in his car, I ask, “Where are we going?”
“This great little out of the way joint. Marie’s. It’s a French bistro-style place.”
“Sounds good, but what got you all hyped up for a supper out? I usually see you this excited only for sex or for those turkey sandwiches from Bean-Go.”
“We have become friendly, and friends do more than one activity together.”
“I don’t mind being whisked away for mysterious dinners out, but what about the other people there? Someone could tell your family they saw us together.”
“And we can call it a business dinner. Or we will tell my family whatever they need to hear. It’s not a big deal, Elsie. But if you want, we can go back to your place.”
Nodding, I shrug. “You’re right. I should stop being so paranoid. We are two colleagues having a business dinner.”
“Precisely.”
We park in front of the bistro, and it’s adorable. We’re in a different part of downtown, and though the bistro still fits in with the shops on the left and right, there’s also a black-and-white striped awning, wooden outdoor café tables and chairs, and a chalk menu board out front. Warm lights shine from chandeliers inside, bathing the outdoor seating in the glow.
Marie’s is cozy and clean inside. Tiny white tiles on the floor are engulfed in black grout, and the tables and chairs are the same as those outside. Whoever Marie is, I presume she’s a hobby photographer. The black and white seascapes on the walls look local.
We take a seat in the corner, and it’s then I realize we are here alone. The server comes by for our drink orders, and after she leaves, I ask, “Why isn’t anyone else here?”
“Because I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable about being out in public with me.”
“And you knew this place would be empty?”
He picks up his menu. “No.”
“I’m so confused.”
He tips the edge of his menu down to look me in the eye. “I rented out the restaurant so we would not have onlookers who might make you uncomfortable, Elsie.” He pulls the menu back up. “What looks good to you?”
I’m astonished. That had to cost a fortune, and here he is, acting like it’s no big deal. “Why did you say all that about lying to your family if they caught us out?”
Beau sighs and sets his menu aside. The drinks come, and they are great, but I’m still hung up on this. He says, “Because I wanted to see if I could get you out of that room.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We have no romantic intent, but you deserve more than hotel sex, Elsie. You deserve to go out and have an enjoyable time, and I know you’re not seeing anyone, so you don’t have someone who does that for you. I wanted to.”
I smile. “Thanks, Beau. It’s probably good for me to get out sometimes.”
He nods and smiles. “Now, are you ready to look at the menu and—
