“If you’ll follow me,” Justin said, standing before them with menus tucked under one arm. He escorted them to a table near the fireplace on the far wall and made sure they were seated and comfortable before handing them their menus. “Our specials tonight are the petite filet with a crab meat cream sauce over the top, and a spiced grilled chicken breast on a bed of creamed spinach. Both come with roasted and smashed fingerling potatoes. But please feel free to look over our menu as well.”
“Thank you,” Ronan said.
“Would you like to order an appetizer, or take a little time to look over our libation menu as well?” he asked.
“Would you like a drink?” Ronan asked.
“No, thank you. I’ll just take an unsweetened iced tea,” Giada said.
Ronan nodded, then down at the menu again, as he spoke to their waiter. “I’ll have a sweet iced tea.”
“And any appetizers?”
“Do you like seafood?” Ronan asked.
“I do,” Giada answered.
“And artichoke?” he asked.
“Yes!”
“Could we have the marinated crab claws, and the stuffed artichoke for appetizers, please?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll put that in with our kitchen staff and be right back with your drinks, and to take your entree orders.”
“So what looks good to you?” Ronan asked.
“That petite filet sounds delicious, but it’s petite,” Giada said, leaning over to whisper the last part.
Ronan laughed. “We’ll ask if we can get a larger filet with the same sauce.”
“That’d be perfect. And maybe a baked potato and some of that creamed spinach.”
“Consider it done,” he said.
“If the kitchen will comply. If not, we’ll order several different dinners and mix and match to get what we want,” Ronan said.
“That’d be expensive!” Giada exclaimed.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s our first date, and we’re going to splurge and get exactly what we want.”
Giada looked like she was going to object, but then she sat back in her chair and smiled at him. “It is our first date, isn’t it?”
“The first of many.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she teased.
“I’m trying to be.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just means I’m sure of what I want. I’m just not sure of what you want.”
“Your appetizers have been started, and here are your drinks. Are you ready to order?”
“Can we get the biggest filet you have and put some of the crab meat sauce on it? And a baked potato — loaded, and some of that creamed spinach on the side also?”
The waiter smiled. “I can get you whatever you’d like, sir.”
