“Whoa, girlfriend, huh?” His eyes move between the two of us, and he’s grinning as if he’s in on a secret. Is it that shocking Parker would bring a girlfriend out to eat?
“Yeah, it's new, but we're seeing how things play out.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. It feels disjointed, but I like the way I feel in this space.
“That sounds like a really good idea.” He leans against the stand. “Slow and steady is usually the best way to go. At least, that’s what I’ve heard from my mom.” The guy says. Parker may have said his name, but I didn't hear it. Or, they're just so friendly they don't feel the need to say their names. I don't know, but I can tell Parker is well-liked in this community.
“Let me see what tables we have available.”
Once he leaves, I turn to Parker. “Do you know everyone at every establishment?”
I know the folks at the stores around my house. By around, I mean within two blocks. Past that, I couldn’t tell you the name of anyone who work in those places. I definitely wouldn’t be having friendly banter with them.
He shrugs his shoulders and chuckles. “It's kind of hard not to with a town this small. I'm not playing when I say everybody knows everybody, and they always know what's going on in your life, whether or not you want them to.”
“That is slightly terrifying.” A shudder ripples through my body at the thought.
“Yes, yes, it is.”
The host waves toward us, and Parker leads me to the back of the restaurant. There's a booth with a small vase of flowers set on a mosaic tile table.
“These are beautiful.” I rub my hand over the intricate patterns. “It reminds me of the tiles my grandma had on display in her house.”
“I’m Casey. Parker forgot to introduce us properly. I’m sure his mom would be appalled.” The host holds his hand out for me to shake. I gently place my hand in his, and after a brief up and down motion he lets go. I guess he doesn’t want to cross any boundaries, not that I blame him. “And they are beautiful. They've been in the owner's family for years, and he didn't know what to do with them, so he put them on the tables.”
Casey wraps his knuckles on the table. “Your server will be over here in a bit to take your order.”
“Thanks, man.” Parker gives his hand a quick shake before turning his attention back to me. “So do you like the vibe of this place?”
“Yeah, I love it. It has enough space to seat people, but it also feels cozy and it reminds me of my grandma's house, which is always a plus.” Aside from being at a booth, the smell of food takes me back to my childhood. It makes me miss her.
“That's good. This is the other place I was telling you about when you said y’all needed caterers for the wedding.”
“Let's wait to put it on the list until I've eaten the food.” I pick up the menu to see what they offer. “I’m very picky when it comes to Mexican food because I've grown up on it, and a lot of places just don't do it justice.”
It’s one of the things that annoys Daniela. She doesn’t have a problem eating at a restaurant without comparing it to what we’ve eaten at home.
“That's fair.” He nods in agreement. “I’m the same way about wine.”
I think it would be weird if he wasn’t.
“So, you never cheat on your own brand?” I wink at him to let him know I won’t tell.
“I wouldn't go that far.” He holds his hands out as if to push away the accusation. “But I primarily drink our wine. I think it's because I know the work that we put into it, and the flavors my family has created over the years.” He shrugs. “Not many places can compare to it.”
The skin on the back of my neck turns to gooseflesh. As odd as it sounds, it feels like we're being watched. I glanced over my shoulder to see eyes turn away as if they've been caught.
I lean over the table, closer to Parker. “I have a question, and feel free to tell me I'm out of line. But why is everybody staring at us like we're the main attraction in a circus?” My voice is low so we aren't overheard.
“Because I never bring a girl to these restaurants. They know I'm a serial dater. But that wouldn't stop them from talking crap behind my back, which is sad. So, I take my dates to other cities or meet them somewhere else, because I don't feel like subjecting them to that.”
That actually makes sense.
“So does that mean they're going to talk crap about me as soon as we leave here?”
“No.” He shakes his head, and reaches for my hand. I let him take it. “I’m pretty sure this will start the whole Parker is dating someone, and it’s serious. It'll get back to my family and take root the way we need it to.”
“Do small towns really work that fast?” It feels like a reckless game of telephone. Or when gossip would spread around the high school. I would say the size of our school was about the same size of Asheville. Wow, that’s a wild comparison to make.
“You have no idea.”
