“Lucky for you, I know how you can improve that,” he said.
I frowned. I wanted to be understanding. To be open to feedback and criticism. That was what an excellent businesswoman would do. But it was never easy when the person who was giving you feedback had a low opinion on women.
He looked at me with that expression, as though he were weighing the benefit of telling me a long-held secret. Hefinally relented and leaned forward. “You need to pay customers to leave you reviews,” he said in a low voice. He sat back in his chair with a smug smile. “There. You have the secret now.”
“Pay?” I almost wanted to laugh. “I’m pretty sure that’s not ethical.”
He put on an air of extreme patience and elaborated like one would to a five-year-old. “There are review sites that pay you to eat a meal for free and post a review of your experiences.”
I took a sip of my water. “Yes, I’m aware.”
He gave me a wink. “Wait till after dinner, and I’ll let you in on the most popular paid review site. How else will a restaurant get the word out unless it gets people to eat their food and review?”
The glass of water almost slipped from my fingers, just as the waitress came by with my drink.
“At the end of our meal, I have a special favor to ask from you,” he said as the waitress—with a name tag on her shirt that readStella—pulled out her pad and pen, ready to take our order. “But first, let me order.”
I picked up the menu while Harvey spoke to Stella, and my gaze flicked over the names of the dishes until I saw the gnocchi. I set the menu down with a smile and waited.
Harvey was still speaking. “A mushroom risotto for me,” he said, and just as I opened my mouth to speak, he added, “And a panzanella salad for the lady.”
My jaw dropped.Who exactly did I match up with?
Stella nodded, putting her pen and pad away, just as I put an arm out to stop her from leaving.
“Sorry.” I gave Harvey a confused look before turning back to Stella.No way am I letting this man decide what I eat.“I’ll get the gnocchi, please. Not the salad.”
Stella’s eyes met mine in a silent understanding of how overbearing my date was being. She gave me an encouragingyou go, girllook and nodded. Harvey, looking between us, seemed to understand that in this tiny interaction, it had become awomen versus himsort of situation and looked put out. He grunted and asked Stella for a refill of his tequila shot.
He faced me when she walked away. “I needed your opinion on the panzanella salad,” he said.
Creepy thoughts entered my mind.Is he using me and this date to get paid by the restaurant for a review? What if I refuse? Will he demand I hand over my phone and type it out himself?
I reached for my purse and pushed my phone to the very depths of my bag. My mouth was going dry. I checked my phone, fingers itching to call Gabriela.
How soon is too soon for a bailout?
I closed my eyes and willed myself to give the guy a chance. Just one more chance.
I opened my eyes, and my gaze fell on Harvey, who was looking at me with a smile. He placed his hand on the table just in front of mine, our fingertips almost touching. I did not want him to take my hand in his, which was plainly his next move. Straightening up, I pulled my hand away and smiled a nervous smile at Harvey.
“I need to use the restroom,” I said and stood up.
Walking past the tables, I passed Stella, who was approaching us with Harvey’s second tequila shot.
“It’s the first door down the hallway to your left,” she said, slowing down her walk. “Take your time. I’ll make sure he stays occupied,” she said, gesturing to the refill.
I smiled in relief. “Stella, you’re the best,” I breathed out.
If I needed access to the restaurant’s back door, I knew I could count on her.
“If you are ever in need of a job, come to my restaurant—The Galley—and ask for Ava. I’ll make sure you get taken care of.”
I passed a couple of tables and went down the hallway before I stopped outside the restroom and breathed out a small sigh of relief. Freya, my extremely romantic friend, had been insistent that I give this date a try before rejecting him for no reason.
Well, I have a reason now, Freya. Many of them!
I leaned against the restroom door and closed my eyes, feeling worried.How much longer do I need to tolerate Harvey?
