The vibe at The Salt & Cleaver was very different from the Rusty Anchor.There were exposed brick walls and industrial lighting.The kitchen was open, and you could see the chefs working.A chalkboard at the front listed the fresh catch of the day.Overall, it was a more sophisticated place to dine, with a menu that matched.They didn’t serve fish and chips here, so I opted for the fish tacos.
They arrived on a matte black plate, two of them lined up side by side.The tortillas were small and charred in spots, still warm, with just enough give to fold without breaking.Inside, thick pieces of grilled rockfish sat in flaky layers, the edges kissed with a little smoke from the grill.Instead of the usual shredded cabbage, there was a crisp slaw of shaved fennel and red cabbage, bright with citrus and just a hint of heat.The tacos were served with truffle fries, thin-cut, crispy, and dusted lightly with parmesan.
As expected, I was the only person eating alone.It was mostly couples, some relaxed and established and some new and obviously nervous.I tried not to feel self-conscious.After all, I should have been used to eating alone by now.There were far worse things in the world than eating a delicious meal solo.
I was drinking my second Vortex IPA when Declan walked into the restaurant.I almost choked on my beer, seeing as the whole reason I was eating here tonight was to avoid him.He was wearing a white shirt with a dark suit jacket and jeans, and he looked sexy AF.My heart stuttered as I waited for whatever woman he’d have on his arm to make her appearance.But no one joined him at the host station.Was she meeting him here?He looked too nicely dressed to be eating alone.He had to be on a date.
Feeling frustrated, I looked at my half-full plate of food.I tried to gauge whether I could possibly stuff down the rest of my food, slam my beer, and get the hell out of the restaurant before his date arrived.I resented having to do that, seeing as the meal was pricey and I’d been enjoying the atmosphere.When I looked up, Declan was staring at me from across the room.
Fuck.
Since he’d already seen me, I gave a half-hearted wave, and he shook his head and started for me.He stopped near my table, smiling sheepishly.I had no idea what to say, and I felt a little pathetic sitting alone at my fancy table.I peered around him, still expecting the blonde from the other night to materialize, but there was no one there.
“We just can’t seem to avoid each other, can we?”he asked huskily.Despite his words, he didn’t seem unhappy to see me.
“I, uh, just thought I should try a new place for once.Man cannot live on fried fish alone.”
He smiled, and I noticed dimples that I’d never noticed before.Of course he had dimples.The man was fucking physical perfection.
“Do you mind if I join you?”he asked.
“Join me?”I repeated as if I didn’t speak English.
He gestured to the empty chair across from me.“Yes, there’s this thing where two people sit together at a table and eat.Perhaps you’re not familiar with the custom?”
My cheeks warmed.“I have had dinner companions before.I don’t always eat alone.”
He frowned.“Oh, no, I didn’t mean that.”He sighed.“I was just making a joke.”
“Oh.”I gave an embarrassed laugh.“Sorry.I thought you were mocking me.”
He grimaced.“I wasn’t.I’m here alone too.I thought maybe we could eat together, and then it would be less awkward than eating alone.”
“Of course, go ahead and sit.”I was shocked that he wanted to join me.The last time at the Rusty Anchor, it had just kind of happened that we ended up eating together.This time, he was making a conscious decision to eat with me.
He slipped out of his jacket and put it over the back of his chair.I couldn’t help noticing how nicely the shirt fit his muscular arms and lean torso.His jeans fit his firm ass very nicely as well, I foolishly noted.Spending more time with him was definitely playing with fire, but what could I do?He’d asked to sit with me, and I secretly wanted him to.
He took his seat, and when the curly-haired waitress came over, he pointed to my beer.“I’ll have whatever he’s having.”
“Yes, sir.”She smiled.“Do you know what you’d like to have for dinner?”
Declan grimaced.“I’ll need a menu.This wasn’t planned.Sorry.”
“No worries.”She gave another warm smile.“I’ll go get your IPA and a menu.”
Once she was gone, he met my gaze, leaning back in his chair.“So, how come you’re eating here instead of the Rusty Anchor?”
I gave an unsteady laugh.“Oh, I just wanted a change of scenery.”
He didn’t look like he believed me.“Come on, admit it.You were avoiding me.”
I leaned toward him.“Why areyouhere?”
His jaw tensed.“Change of scenery?”
I smiled.“See, it’s a thing.”
He gave a grudging smile.“Apparently.”The waitress returned with his beer and a menu.He scanned it quickly and said, “I’ll have the filet, medium, with the charred shallot butter, and grilled veggies, please.”
