“Have a good time,” Jones says as we pass him and walk through the doorway. I turn back to him, and if I didn’t know him better, I’d swear he winks at me before he closes the door on us.
Jason opens the car door for me and I find I don’t mind being treated to a bit of gallantry. He climbs in the other side, and I lean over to kiss him.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers just before our lips touch, and my stomach flutters.
“What do you have planned?” I ask when we part.
“I suppose I should’ve asked first, but I hope you like Italian,” he says.
“Well, I happen to love it,” I reply and he smiles broadly. He drives for about twenty minutes until we reach a town. I’m not familiar with any of the places around here so I don’t know it, but some of the buildings look old, nearly as old as the hall. He parks up in a small car park in a central square. As I get out of the car, I peer around at the several pubs and restaurants surrounding the square.
“This way,” he says, taking my hand and leading me across the road to a restaurant called Olive’s.
It’s a small and cosy restaurant and we’re shown to a table in the corner. The waiter hands us menus and lights a candle on the table. Within a few minutes he’s back to take our order. I opt for pasta and Jason a calzone.
“What do you think Jones thinks about finding out it’s you I’m dating?” I ask as soon as the waiter is out of earshot.
“I think he’ll be fine about us, but either way, I don’t care if it doesn’t bother you. I hope you don’t mind but I told Jordan earlier. Now Bob knows, so will everyone else, and Jor would have killed me if he hadn’t found out from me.”
“That’s fine with me. I wanted you to lead on how and when people found out, they’re family to you.”
“And you,” he says and gives me a warm smile that makes me believe it’s true.
“What did your brother say when you told him?” I ask once our food arrives. I’m intrigued by what Jordan thinks.
“Do you really want to know what he said?” I nod eagerly at his question.
“He said, ‘Thank god. Now I know why you had your head up your arse. Will you start playing properly again now?’”
“Oh.” I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that.
“Then he hugged me and said he was pleased and we both deserved to be happy,” he adds.
“Oh.” Equally unexpected. “That was nice of him,” I say and Jason chuckles.
“What did he mean about playing properly?”
“Last week, in the game, I missed an easy pass, one I would’ve got on any other given day. The other team gained control of the ball and we lost. I had my mind on other things.” He grimaces at the memory. I cover his hand with mine and he takes it, lifting itup and kissing my knuckles. I find I love the gesture. “But it’s in the past now.”
“Tell me about your family,” I ask and he does. I hear about his parents, who live in Spain after retiring there a few years ago. The rest of his family consists of his brother Jordan, sister-in-law Kim, and his two nephews who, from the way he talks about them, he adores. I think they’re lucky to have an uncle like him.
“They sound wonderful. I’d love to meet them.” I place my fork down on my plate; the pasta was delicious.
“There’s no match next weekend so we’ll be having a family dinner at Jor and Kim’s house. Would you like to come?”
“Could I? Don’t you need to check with them first?” I can’t help smiling at the thought.
“Kim would be offended if I didn’t ask you, and I know she’s going to be desperate to meet you as soon as she finds out about you, which if I know my brother, has already happened.”
“Already? You haven’t told a soul about my uncle for years, and yet within minutes I’m the hottest topic of gossip?”
“Only within the family.” He grins widely and I laugh. Then his smile transforms into something softer and I catch my breath at how handsome he is. The look he gives me travels right to my core, still yummy. “Do you want dessert?”
I lean closer to him and whisper, “Can I have you as dessert?” His eyes darken and he only hesitates for a second before standing. He holds out his hand, and when I take it, he pulls me up.
“Let’s get out of here, then.” He pays quickly and within minutes we’re back in his car.
“Do you mind if we go to my house?” he asks as he starts driving. I look at him and he glances my way, giving me a small smile. I understand: he’s more familiar in his own house, it’s his domain. The hall can be a bit intimidating. Plus, I’m curious as hell to see where he lives.
