Chapter Sixteen
Landen told mehe was taking me somewhere nice for dinner. I mean, it had a dress code so it obviously wouldn’t be a chain restaurant. But I’d underestimated his intentions. By far.
I’d been here for Lucy and Chris’ wedding just a few short weeks ago and I knew exactly what the menu looked like in the restaurant and how much it cost. I’d wanted to try it but my bank account wouldn’t allow it.
When Landen turned into the drive, I’d held my breath. The fact that he was bringing meheretold me a lot about his intentions. He wanted tonight to be special. No, he wanted it to be spectacular.
He pulled to a stop in front of the building and a valet opened my door to help me out of the car. When Landen came around the vehicle, he once again placed his hand on my lower back as he took the ticket from the valet.
Rosewood Mansion was not what I expected when he said he was taking me somewherenice. This was beyond nice. This was a different level. I was also nervous as hell. Other than attending Chris and Lucy’s wedding, I had never been anywhere like this.
My stomach twisted with nerves, but not the sexy kind. No, these were nasty, biting nerves that were accompanied by a tiny voice in the back of my mind telling me that I was not good enough for a place like this. That I didn’t belong here.
I tried to ignore the tension ensnaring my body and focus on enjoying the atmosphere and the firm pressure of Landen’s hand on my back, but I still felt uncomfortable and out of my league. My foot skidded a bit on the floor and Landen reached out to steady me. My face heated and I glanced around furtively to see if anyone saw my awkward moment. Though I didn’t see anyone looking our way, my body burned as it did when I had to speak in public. Something I avoided at all costs.
A few minutes later, Landen and I were seated at a corner table. The walls were paneled dark wood and the large fireplace burned merrily. A candle burned next to a beautiful, small centerpiece. All I could think is that I was going to knock that sucker over and set the entire table on fire. Maybe even burn down the mansion itself with my sudden clumsiness.
Afraid to move, I folded my hands in my lap and looked across the table at Landen. He was studying me with intensity, as though he could see every thought in my brain.
He leaned forward and opened his mouth to speak, but our server approached.
“Good evening, I’m Todd.”
Before Todd could continue or I could respond, Landen turned to him. “Please give us a few minutes.”
Todd merely nodded and walked away, his expression still pleasant.
“Landen,” I whispered, leaning forward. “That was rude.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
I leaned back then, my back rigid. “Nothing.”
His eyes drifted down to my bared shoulders then up to my face. “Your body is stiff and you haven’t said a single word since we came inside. Something is bothering you.”
“Landen—”
He reached out and took my hand, his fingers gentle and coaxing rather than demanding as his words had been. “Please tell me.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, unsure of what to say. I didn’t want to admit that I was uncomfortable because it was clear he went to a lot of trouble and he wanted tonight to be special.
“Chelsea,” he murmured, but it wasn’t a command. He genuinely wanted to know.
“I just feel…a little out of place here. I haven’t been to a restaurant like this before and I don’t want to embarrass myself or you.”
Without hesitation, he offered, “We can leave if you want. I brought you here because I thought you might like to try it but I want you to enjoy yourself.”
I took a deep breath and shook my head. “No, I want to stay. I wanted to come back after Lucy’s wedding, but…” I trailed off, not wanting to admit that I couldn’t justify spending a couple hundred dollars on a dinner that I would eat by myself.
He squeezed my hand gently. “Honestly, I’ve only ever been here for business events. I thought it would be nice to share a meal here with you without the pressure.”
I nearly laughed but settled for a smile. “Then we’ll have dinner.”
“And I promise they won’t throw you out if you don’t use the correct fork or something ridiculous like that.”
This time I did laugh, but softly. There was a low hum of conversation in the room and the occasional clink of cutlery but overall, the restaurant was quiet and very romantic.
“I feel a little silly now,” I admitted.
