His chuckle had her blushing and she wanted to crawl into a hole.
“Well, to put your inquisitive little mind at rest, I turned thirty-two last month.”
“Wait?You just had a birthday?How did I not know that?”
“Eh, I don't make a big fuss over it,” he replied with a shrug.
“Ah.No, I get it.Mine has never been a big deal either.We didn't really do birthdays and holidays growing up.I mean, for the last couple of years, Hallie has insisted on making me a small cake, but there's not really a celebration.”
“Oh really?And when is it?”he inquired.
“Oh.Um.Next week,” she mumbled, hoping he wouldn't hear her.
“Next week?When next week, babygirl?”
Sophia groaned quietly.“Saturday,” she finally admitted.
“What?Your birthday is a week and a half away?Oh, babygirl, we are definitely doing something to celebrate.Make sure Indi gives you the night off.”
“That's not—”
“Nope.It's already decided.Next year you can plan something for me,” he said with a wink.
“So you expect us to still be together this time next year, huh?”she inquired.
When he reached for her hand, she arched a brow but placed her hand in his.
“Yes, I do.If I didn't think we had a real shot, I wouldn't be here right now.Do I think you're sexy as fuck?Hell yes.But there's more to you than looks.Those are just a bonus, Sophia.
“You're smart, funny, compassionate, you have a big heart, and you care about the happiness of the people around you.You have a strength so many lack, and one I admire.This isn't just a fling, babygirl.Not unless that's all you're looking for.”
Sophia sat there staring at him.Had he really just said all those things abouther?
“I didn't really think you saw me,” she said softly.“I thought I was invisible to you.”
“You couldneverbe invisible, Sophia.Not to me.”
His words warmed her heart and made her fall for him just a little more.She could easily lose her heart to this man if she wasn't careful.
When their server arrived, they put in their orders.Sophia got the jumbo lump crab cake, which came with Asian cabbage slaw and a citrus aioli to start.For her entree, she decided to get the lemon panko crusted cod.It was served with Salute’s house mashed potatoes and sauteed broccoli.
Axel went with the spicy fried calamari topped with cherry peppers, scallions, and asiago cheese and served with a sriracha aioli and marinara for his appetizer.
Sophia had sat there watching him with amusement as he'd gone back and forth between the shrimp fra diablo, which was sauteed shrimp, hot sausage, Sicilian olives, red pepper flakes and spinach in a fiery tomato sauce over linguine with a side of their sweet potato hash or the boneless short rib served with carrots, petite peas, and sour cream mashed potatoes before he settled on the pasta dish.
“You like things hot, I see,” she teased.
“That I do, babygirl.In more ways than one,” he teased right back.
Sophia laughed softly.“I have to admit, that pasta does sound good, if a bit spicy.”
They talked about random things until their food arrived, and then they focused on eating.
Sophia couldn't help the little hums of appreciation she made with the first bite of each item because it was just that good.
Once every bite was gone, they decided to get their dessert to go so they could share.Sophia got the New York style cheesecake with macerated berries and whipped cream while Axel got the chocolate chip cannolis, of which there were two.
After paying, they went back out to the bike and he whistled low.“Damn.The snow is really coming down.It's a good thing we decided to stay at a hotel.Come on.”
