good, Paul. How’s yours?” I asked between bites.
“It’s good, but I’m afraid not nearly as good as yours. Do you mind if I have a taste?”
I shook my head. He leaned over and stabbed a piece of ravioli with his fork. For some reason, sharing my dish with him seemed intimate, something that couples would do, even though we weren’t. I looked to see his reaction and could tell he loved it.
“Mmm, that is good, Aly. I wish I would have ordered this instead.”
“You can have as much as you’d like,” I offered to him. I’d offer him anything if it would make him happy.
“No, I don’t want to take away from your meal. I want you to enjoy every bite.”
Not arguing, I took another bite. Deciding to have another roll, I reached over to grab one when apparently Paul had the same thought and did the same. We laughed as both of our hands grabbed the last roll.
“You go ahead,” I told him.
“Please take it,” he said at the same time.
More laughter. “No, seriously Paul, take it. I have the better meal tonight. It’s the least I can do,” I told him.
“I will take it, then. Thank you very much.”
I took an extravagant bite and made a show of enjoying it. I moaned over and over at how good it was and put a hand to my throat. When I’d swallowed the last of it, I finally looked at him to see if my show had worked.
I think it worked, but not in the way I’d expected.
Paul had a look of pure desire on his face and there was no way for me to deny it. I guess I went too far in my overacting. Feeling stupid, I just sat there, not wanting to bring any more attention to myself.
“I have to say, I wish I was that meal, Aly,” he said quietly.
Jolts went through me. Looking down at my plate, I suddenly lost my appetite. I couldn’t think straight.
As if he heard me, Tate came by and asked us how our meals tasted.
“So good, Tate,” I said. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a better asiago sauce. Please give my compliments to the chef.”
Tate gleamed. “I will do that. I’m so glad you like it. And yours, sir?” he asked, turning to Paul.
“It’s good, but I had a bite of hers and I must say, it’s delicious. I’m jealous I didn’t follow her lead and get it myself.”
“Would you like me to bring you one? It would be of no charge. We want to make sure our customers leave completely satisfied,” Tate offered.
Paul smiled. “Oh no, but thank you. I’m suddenly quite full.”
“If you’re sure,” Tate said. He told us he’d be back to clear our plates shortly and turned to take the order of the table that recently arrived. The tension that was there before he came over returned, and I wasn’t sure what to do.
“Well, that was great, but I’m so full,” I said, not knowing what else to say. He still had desire in his eyes and he continued to stare at me as he finished off his wine. He set his empty glass down and leaned back, continuing to look me over.
“It’s getting late, Aly. We should get back to the hotel and get some rest for tomorrow. What time would you like to meet for breakfast?”
His change of subject caught me by surprise. “We’re supposed to be at the Hidden Creek neighborhood at one o’clock so should we meet at nine to eat?”
“That would be fine. I think we’ll need only an hour or two to drive around seeing the neighborhoods, then have a quick bite of lunch before meeting at one o’clock. I’m quite eager to get this going.”
Tate came back with our bill and cleared our table. I reached over to get my purse when Paul shook his head. “I don’t think so, Chase,” he said. “I am paying for the expenses on the company credit card.”
Oh, right. That made sense. “I didn’t think of that. Okay, thanks.”
Paul gave Tate the credit card and we waited for him to bring it back. I looked around me and noticed a cute younger couple dining. The man had his hand on the woman’s hand and it appeared they were in deep conversation. Suddenly the woman started laughing and the man joined in. They appeared so happy and I couldn’t help but smile.
Tate came back with the receipt and thanked us for coming in.