He walked across the room, taking the cup she held out to him, and said “Happy Birthday, Bella.”
“Thank you. Another year older, probably not any wiser”, she laughed.
“Ha! I’m looking forward to dinner tonight, I think you’ll like where we are going - Carrie helped me get the reservation.”
“Exactly where are we going?” she asked.
“I can’t tell you - it’s classified as ‘top secret.’”
“Okay, Flyboy, I’ll remember that when it’s your birthday and I’m the one making plans!”
“Is that a threat or a promise, Ms. Genovese?”
“Maybe a little of both, Captain.”
Moving closer, Jack stood in front of Bella, so close her back was against the kitchen counter. Suddenly he grasped her by the waist and lifted her onto the counter.Oh God, this is sexy, am I about to live out one of my fantasies?she thought, as he leaned in, kissing her neck.
“Mmm, oh yes” - and he stopped.
“Did you really give me a coffee cup that says, ‘Italian Girls do it Better?’”
“Sorry, I didn’t even look - just grabbed them.”
“It’s okay - as a matter of fact, why don’t you just show me how much better Italian girls do it.”
So she did.
Later that day, Bella had asked Jack what to wear for dinner since she wasn’t sure where they were going and didn’t want to be underdressed or overdressed. All he would tell her was ‘comfortable’, so she went with her favorite low rise jeans, a black Versace Medusa '95 satin corset top, a black leather motorcycle jacket on top, and completed the look with Golden Goose Superstar tennis shoes, in classic white with the signature star and distressed leather.Well, he did say ‘comfortable.’
Her classic red lip, cat’s eye liner was the makeup look, along with tousled hair worn down. Jewelry was her trusty Omega Speedmaster watch, a ring in the shape of a ram head with tiny ruby eyes — a nod to her Aries star sign - and white gold hoop earrings, a present from Angela and Madeline. Grabbing her bag, a small Versace clutch purse, she went to the living room to meet Jack, who was waiting for the Uber he’d called.
Jack wore dark jeans, a grey pair of suede Puma Speedcat tennis shoes (his shoe game had improved considerably) and a white button-down dress shirt, untucked, and his Breitling Cosmonaute watch.
How did I get so lucky? They both thought, smiling at each other.
Sitting in the back of the Uber, they held hands quietly,Where on earth are we going?!thought Bella, as they drove further and further out of the city, towards the countryside. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the driver turned off the main road, onto a dirt road, and after a few more miles, the trees seemed to clear and there was a large building that looked industrial.
What the??
A smiling woman stepped out to greet them. “Welcome Captain Calloway, I hope you didn’t get lost on the way out here.”
“No, all good, thank you. I’m looking forward to this.”
Turning to Bella, he pulled a black satin eye mask from his pocket. "Okay, Bella — I need you to put this on," he said, holding it out to her.
“Whaaat?”
“Bella, I did tell you it was ‘top secret’.”
“Fine” she said as she slipped it over her eyes -this better not mess my make up!- she thought.
“Okay, follow me this way please, it’s just a short walk,” said the hostess.
Taking Bella’s arm so he could guide her along, Bella felt the cool air of the building as they entered, and followed Jack, wondering what on earth he had planned. After a short 5-minute walk, Bella felt the air grow warm again.
“Captain, we will be back in about 30 minutes with your dinner entrees. Enjoy,” the hostess said, quietly shutting a door behind her, a door Bella hadn’t even heard open.
Removing her blindfold, Jack said, “You can open your eyes now,” and Bella gasped.
