"French green beans," the waiter explained with a smile. "Very thin and tender."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful. I'll definitely have that."
Tyr caught the waiter's expectant look. "I won't be dining tonight, but I would like the rack of lamb and roasted root vegetables to go." He paused, adding, "Also the grilled Mediterranean vegetables. Someone will collect it from the hostess station later."
"Of course, sir." The waiter made a note before departing with their orders.
Beth's eyebrow arched upward, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Planning a midnight snack?"
Tyr couldn't help laughing at her expression. "Not quite. Our chauffeur will deliver it to Martin at the heliport while we're at our next destination." He enjoyed watching her face light up at the mention of more surprises to come.
"Next destination?" Beth leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Care to share where we're headed after dinner?"
"Not a chance." He shook his head, grinning at her attempted manipulation. "You'll find out soon enough."
"Not even a tiny hint?" She batted her eyelashes dramatically, making him chuckle again.
"Nope." He popped the 'p' sound, matching her playful tone. "Some things are worth waiting for."
Beth sat back with an exaggerated sigh, but her eyes danced with amusement. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"So I've been told." He watched her break off another piece of bread, enjoying how comfortable she seemed despite the upscale setting. "Usually by my brother."
Beth dabbedher lips with the napkin one final time, still savoring the lingering taste of the perfectly roasted chicken. The meal had been exquisite - every bite cooked to perfection, each flavor balanced and complementing the others. She couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed a restaurant meal this much.
The waiter approached with a small handheld card reader, its screen glowing softly in the restaurant's ambient lighting. Tyr tapped his credit card against the device with a quick, practiced motion, the terminal chiming softly to confirm the contactless payment.
"Ready for the next surprise?" Tyr asked, rising from his chair with fluid grace. He guided her toward the door with that same gentle almost-touch at her back that made her skin tingle. The evening air held a crisp bite, but before she could even shiver, their Maybach glided up to the curb as if summoned. The chauffeur opened their door with the same precise movements as before. Beth settled into the familiar luxury, the butter-soft leather welcoming them back. Tyr slid in beside her, bringing with him that subtle scent she'd come to associate with him - something like cedar and winter air.
The car merged smoothly into traffic, the city's lights creating patterns across the tinted windows. Beth watched in growing excitement as they turned onto Broadway, the famous street alive with theater-goers and the glow of countless marquees.
The Mercedes slowed, then stopped. Beth's eyes tracked upward to the brightly lit marquee above them and a delighted yelp escaped her lips.
"Dance of the Vampires?" She turned to Tyr, giggling. "Really? You're taking me to see a musical about vampires?"
The irony was absolutely perfect. She couldn't have planned a better reaction if she'd tried to be clever about it.
Beth followed Tyr through the ornate theater doors, still giggling at the sheer absurdity of a vampire taking her to see a vampire musical. Her amusement faded to awe as they entered the historic theater. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over rich burgundy walls and gold trim, while plush carpeting muffled their footsteps.
An usher guided them to their seats - center orchestra, perfectly positioned. Beth sank into the velvet chair, drinking in the elaborate stage design visible through the curtain's slight gap.
As the show began, Beth found herself cycling through an emotional rollercoaster. She cringed at the campy vampire stereotypes, complete with exaggerated accents and billowing capes. A sideways glance at Tyr caught his amused smirk at particularly outlandish scenes.
During the ballroom scene, Beth's hand flew to her mouth, torn between horror and hysterical laughter as vampire couples waltzed across the stage in increasingly ridiculous choreography. The music soared dramatically while the performers executed elaborate spins that sent their capes swirling like demented bats.
Yet between the over-the-top moments, genuine heart emerged. The love story touched something deep inside her, while clever lyrics and stunning harmonies gave her chills that had nothing to do with vampire bites.
By the final curtain, Beth sat frozen in her seat, overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of it all. She'd spent the entire show torn between cringing at the campy vampire stereotypes - nothing like the sophisticated, gentle man beside her - andbeing genuinely moved by the love story. The show had somehow managed to be simultaneously absurd and profound, hilarious and cringe-worthy at times, but also ridiculously heart-warming.
"So?" Tyr's voice held barely contained laughter as he turned to her. "What did you think?"
Beth opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again as she struggled to form coherent thoughts. A hundred reactions warred for dominance - from analytical critique to pure emotional response.
Her mouth opened and closed several times before she managed an eloquent "Um..."
Tyr's rich laugh echoed through the theater lobby. "Yeah, that's about right." Watching her cycle through pure bewilderment to helpless laughter was better than any reward he could have imagined. "The first time I saw it, I spent twenty minutes trying to form a coherent sentence afterward."
A giggle bubbled up from Beth's chest, growing into full-blown laughter as they made their way through the theater's ornate doors. The cool night air hit her flushed cheeks, but she barely noticed, too caught up in the absurdity of it all.
