“Yeah, try and have some fun on your date. If you even know what that is,” Nan snickers.
“You want to get out of here?” Bode asks, ignoring them.
“God, yes.”
Bode drops a kiss on Caleb’s head as we head toward the garage. Grabbing my purse, we’re in Bode’s truck before they can follow us, likely to make fun of us again.
“Has your Nan always been like that?” Bode asks.
“Yes. What about yours?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
“It’s a wonder we turned out so normal then.” I laugh. “Where are we going tonight?”
Bode waits for the gate to open before easing into traffic. “There’s this little French place I found that has great reviews.”
“Okay.”
Conversation with Bode is easy as we head toward downtown. The skyline is already lit, even with the sun still out.
Pulling up to a building not quite in the thick of Broadway, Bode valets his truck and comes to my side to help me out.
“Oh. This looks nice.”
Bode smiles at me and holds open the door of a three-story brownstone building. Lamps sit in each window, hidden behind linen curtains.
Bode gives his name and we’re ushered to a row of tables along one wall. A heavy chandelier hangs from the center of the room. The floorboards creak beneath our feet. The light from the candles on the tables and the chandelier cast everyone in shadows.
“Thanks.” I smile at Bode as he pulls out the chair for me before taking his seat.
He opens the menu, giving it a casual perusal. Bode looks at ease here. Looking around, all the couples are dressed to the nines. Women are wearing pearls and the men are in suit jackets.
I feel wholly underdressed. It’s places like this that always make me feel like I don’t belong.
“Welcome to Le Jardin d’Étoiles,” our server greets us. “We’re happy to have you join us this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
My eyes almost bug out of my head when I glance at the wine list. A glass of wine almost costs what I make in a day.
“Can we have a few minutes to look the menu over?” Bode asks.
He bows to him in his white tuxedo shirt and black suspenders. “Take your time.”
“Anything stand out to you?”
“Umm…”
“What?” That has him worried.
“The menu is in French. Do you know what any of this means?”
“Hang on.” Bode grabs his phone and taps a few buttons. “Here, see if this translates it.”
“Thanks.” I smile at him from across the table. The small flicker of candlelight makes him look even sexier. If that were possible.
“Is it helping?”
“I don’t really know what anything is.”
