‘Argh. But it’s way more fun to grillyou,’ she moaned.
‘Not for me, it’s not.’ Eleanor laughed. ‘It’s payback time, Sal …’
*
For date three with Ben, Eleanor had planned much more effectively, bringing a change of clothesandmake-up with her to work. Despite being on time, lateness always made her anxious; she still felt the queasy pull of nerves tugging at her stomach.
When did they stop? she wondered. She certainly never remembered feeling this way with Oliver.
That was different.
She shook the thoughts of her ex from her mind. It was funny – one minute he was all she could think about, all her very existence revolved around, and now … now there were times she couldn’t even remember what he looked like. He was slowly and surely fading from her mind and her heart.
‘Hello there.’ Ben’s voice appeared from behind her. She felt his warm hand on her shoulder.
‘Hey!’ She turned and went to hug him. He laughed and pulled her face up to his for a kiss. The etiquette of dating was still something she was getting used to.
‘How was your day?’ He opened the door to the restaurant and beckoned her inside.
‘Fine. How about you?’
‘Much better now.’ He smiled, turning to the maître d’. ‘Table reserved under Ben Ryans, please.’
‘Very good, sir. If you’d like to follow Francis, he will show you the way.’ He pointed to a perfectly put-together young man standing to attention behind him.
‘This is very fancy,’ Eleanor whispered, as they followed the waiter through the dining room.
‘I know. I thought date three deserved a little class.’ He winked. ‘Although at this rate, by date ten I’m going to have to be organizing helicopters and weekends away.’
Eleanor smirked. ‘There’s going to be a date ten, is there?’
‘Oh, wow.’ He clutched at his chest dramatically. ‘You really know how to bring a man down, don’t you?’
‘Your table, sir, madam,’ Francis announced formally. ‘I’ll be over in a moment to take your order.’
‘Thank you.’ Eleanor sat down and took hold of the menu in front of her. She nearly choked when she saw the prices. This reallywasfancy.
Ben laughed. ‘Eleanor.’ He placed his hand in the centre of the table, holding it out for her to take. ‘Please. Relax and enjoy. It’s my treat.’
‘No!’ she protested. ‘Don’t be silly.’
‘No, you stop being silly.’ He leant in towards her. His comforting smell sent sparks of electricity through her body. ‘If we are going to do this … you have to learn to let yourself be taken care of.’
She looked at him, searching his face for a sign or hint that he was anything but genuine.
What?
What are you looking for, Eleanor?
‘Fine.’ She exhaled, slotting her tiny hand in his.
‘Good.’ He lifted it to his lips and kissed the inside of herwrist. ‘Now … what I didn’t mention was that we are going to only have starters here, and then we are heading to McDonald’s, where you can buy a Happy Meal, OK?’
Eleanor pulled her hand away and gasped dramatically. ‘How dare you! At least make it a double cheeseburger,please.’
‘A double cheeseburger, really?’ He smirked. ‘I didn’t have you down as that kind of girl.’
‘I think there was one month when I was about seventeen when I ate one every day after school.’
