I had worn a pair of black pants and a really cute silver top I found in Kari’s closet. I was slightly nervous about this date, or whatever it was, and I felt like the extra bit of fabric covering my body would help put a barrier between Simon and me, should that be necessary.
Not that he had ever done anything to make me feel like that was necessary. I had felt slightly uncomfortable the first time we met. Looking back, that was probably because of my anticipation of seeing Cane again. The only thing that had me slightly on edge at this point was Cane’s spiel, but I figure that was just his arrogance coming through.
I grabbed my purse and was about to toss my phone into it when it lit up. Cane’s name flashed across the front.
Fuck you.
I sent the call to voicemail, set the phone to vibrate, and squared my shoulders. I marched into the restaurant. It wasn’t a large corporate affair but a more intimate place. I pushed open the doors and was taken aback by the beauty of the décor. It looked like a scene out of a vineyard in Tuscany.
I put on my prettiest smile when I spotted Simon sitting at a table in the back. He slowly rose when he saw me, raising his eyebrows.
He had on gray dress pants with a white button-down shirt. He wasn’t breathtaking like Cane. Simon was more attractive in a plain kind of way. He was above average in appearance, but nothing was striking about him. And while Cane had an inherent charisma, something that pulled you to him, Simon was just the opposite. He seemed to be on guard at all times, calculating. It was off-putting, but I figured it was just one of his quirks.
His shirt was somewhat wrinkled, his hair just a touch disheveled as he pulled out my chair. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I placed my purse on an empty chair and sat down. “You look very nice yourself.”
Simon took his seat across from me and immediately, I felt as though he was scrutinizing me. A sly smile spread across his face.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear nervously.
I’m only overthinking everything because this is my first real date in forever. Breathe.
“I’m surprised you came tonight, if I’m being honest. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I haven’t really been able to get ahold of you since the night at the diner.”
I blushed, embarrassed at being called out. I couldn’t tell him that I had been blatantly ignoring him. “I was assigned a few different projects that have been keeping me pretty busy. Have you been here before?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Ah, once or twice. I don’t take a lot of people out to dinner, so I don’t have a reason to come here. But I’d love to come here more often.”
I pretended not to pick up on his innuendo and scanned the menu, twirling my ring around my finger.
“Good evening. My name is Jennifer, and I’ll be your server tonight,” said the pretty brunette who arrived with a notepad in hand. “Can I start you off with something to drink?”
I went the safe route. “Water for me, please.”
“Same here.”
“Great. I’ll get that and be right back.”
“What do you suggest?” I glanced at Simon over the top of my menu. “Everything sounds delicious.”
He studied the information in front of him. “If you like fish, the mahi-mahi is really good here. I’ve had the sirloin before, and it was great.”
“Sounds good to me.” I set my menu on the table as Jennifer returned with our drinks.
“Do you know what you would like, or should I come back?”
Simon glanced at me. “I’ll have the mahi-mahi.”
“Make that two.”
“Very good. I’ll be back shortly,” she said, picking up our menus and walking away.
“So…” Simon began, folding his hands on the table. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good. How have things been going for you?”
“Really good, actually. I have a lot of balls in the air, so that’s been keeping me busy.”
