Gentry filled their water glasses and asked, “Would you like me to open the champagne?”
At Torin’s nod, he removed the wire and the cork with deft hands and nothing more than a soft pop. Then, he poured them each a glass of champagne.
“As you selected the five-course prix fixe when you made the reservation, the first course will be out shortly. The sommelier has selected several wines to accompany the meal and I will bring you the first in a few moments. Before I leave, is there anything else I may do for you?”
Nova’s mind was completely blank so she merely shook her head.
Torin thanked Gentry, who disappeared as quickly and quietly as he’d come.
“The five-course prix fixe?” she asked Torin.
He shrugged. “After the night you told off that guy in the restaurant, I was hesitant to do it, but the chef here is renowned for his prix fixe menus, so I took a chance.”
“Well, if he’s renowned for it, I don’t suppose I can be all that upset.”
Torin smiled at her. “It will be amazing, I promise.”
“Have you been here before?” she asked.
“No, but, as I said, the manager is a friend and he strongly recommended it.”
Nova nodded. “I guess that’s that, then.”
Torin lifted his champagne glass. “To the best day I’ve had in a very long time. And that’s because of you.”
Nova picked up her champagne glass and tapped it against his. “This has been one of my best days, too,” she murmured.
She sipped the champagne to help push down the lump in her throat. Torin really had planned the perfect day. Even meeting his aunt had been fun after she’d gotten over her nerves.
As they set their glasses down, Nova said, “You know, I’m not sure how you’re going to top this for our third date.”
She grinned as Torin laughed. Not his usual short burst, but long enough for Gentry to return with the wine that accompanied their first course.
Oh, yes, Nova was falling hard and fast for Torin Gallagher and there was nothing she could do about it.
* * *
Several hoursand several courses later, Torin walked Nova upstairs to her apartment. He’d only had a few sips of each wine since he was driving them home, but she’d drunk enough that she was definitely feeling tipsy. Tipsy enough that she’d once again fallen asleep in the Jeep on their way back from the restaurant.
As they stopped in front of her door, Torin took the keys from her hand.
“I can get it,” she argued, leaning against him and tilting her head back.
“I know,” he answered with yet another smile tugging at his lips. “But it’ll be faster this way.”
“Fine,” she sighed.
As she watched him unlock the door, Nova realized that she’d quit counting his smiles and his laughs a while ago. Not because she’d lost track but because they were no longer as rare. He no longer hid his feelings behind a stoic mask.
“I don’t know what number smile that was,” she admitted when he opened her door.
“You don’t?” he asked. She thought he sounded a bit amused but his face was serious.
“No. You’re doing it a lot more often now so it was impossible to keep track.”
That brought on another smile. “You sound aggravated.”
“I kind of am,” she answered. “It would have been nice to keep an accurate record of how many times I made you smile and laugh. You know, for the grandkids.”
