Chapter 5
David checked his reflection in the mirror for the third time. Jeans, long-sleeved red top, and his long black cashmere coat. He nodded in approval. He wanted to make a good impression on Zita after he’d spoiled their last date.
He’d overreacted to Zita’s comment – got way ahead of himself. It was just because they hadn’t jumped straight into bed after arriving at his apartment that he’d mistakenly thought he wanted more. It was ridiculous. He was too young to settle down.
He checked that he had his phone, wallet and keys, and then headed down to the foyer to wait for Zita. She’d insisted on picking him up, stating it was easier for her to come to him as she lived on the outskirts of Houston. She’d also told him she’d arrange the details of their second date, so David had no idea what they were doing. He wasn’t used to being the one waiting and in the dark.
Zita pulled up in the unloading zone outside his building, so he hurried outside.
“Hi, how was your week?” Zita asked, flashing him a grin as he got in the car.
He smiled back. “Same as always.” She looked great in a bright red fifties-style dress and white tights. “Lots of meetings and people wanting to increase their budgets.”
“Is it your job to say no?”
“Yes. My eye has to be firmly on the bottom line, but there are some projects that would be worth spending money on.” If only he could convince his father.
“That must be hard. I’d be hopeless at it. I always want to please people.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’m not the most popular person at work.” But he didn’t want to talk about it. He needed to make up for their last date. “Where are we going?”
She grinned at him. “Discovery Green. There’s a flea market on today.”
He raised an eyebrow. Was she kidding? He hadn’t been to a flea market since he was in college and his friends had dragged him to one. He glanced out at the dark clouds threatening rain.
“There are a whole heap of food vendors there and I thought it might be fun to try something different.”
“Sounds good,” he lied. The last thing he wanted to do was pretend to be interested while someone tried to sell him a second-hand toaster that had seen better days.
Zita managed to find parking immediately. The market was set up in a shady area of the park and the stalls were a myriad of color, displaying their wares. It wasn’t too crowded and as David got out of the car he smelled smoky barbecue and some other spicy scent. His stomach rumbled. If it tasted as good as it smelled, it might not be too bad.
“Let’s eat first.” Zita shrugged into a long lime-green coat and then grabbed his hand and led him over to the food vendors. They walked side by side, and Zita didn’t seem to notice she was still holding his hand, but he did. Her hand fit comfortably in his. There was no awkwardness. Strange that he’d never paid any attention to holding someone’s hand before.
They walked along the trailers of food. The Brazilian barbecue was responsible for the delicious scents. “How about here?”
“Great idea.” Zita pulled out her wallet. “I’ll pay.”
David tensed. “No, I will.” He’d been taught a gentleman paid for a lady.
“Don’t be silly. You paid last time.” She handed over some money as he reached for his wallet.
He withdrew some bills and held them out to her.
She shook her head. “Put it away.” She held her hands behind her back and gave him a don’t-mess-with-me stare.
He replaced the money. “I’ll get dessert.”
“Sure.” She smiled.
Pleased she agreed with him, he took the meal he was handed and they moved onto the grass under some trees and sat down.
“This smells so good,” Zita said and took a bite of her spicy meat. “Mmm,” she hummed, swallowing. “Tastes good too.”
He swallowed as well, as her blatant enjoyment stirred something inside of him. He shifted his position and took a bite of his own meal. Itwasgood.
“Played any golf this week?” Zita asked.
“No, it’s been too dark by the time I finish.”
