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I’d sit on a bed of nails if you asked me.
I should leave, but my feet were planted and no matter how much I willed them to move, they refused. “Sure.”
He reached out and took my bag, then my hand, and led me to a table furthest from the other couple. Once seated, there was an awkward silence that seemed to last forever. Finally, he said something. “How's work?”
Not what I thought. Especially after him holding my hand, brief as it may have been. Not sure about him, but I’d rather him say what that was all about. No such luck. And he chose the topic last thing I wanted to discuss. Work? Really? It was as bad as asking how’s the weather. “Fine. How is your head?”
Two could play that game.
He shrugged. “Totally forgot all about it.”
I tilted my head so I could get a better look. “Seems like it is healing well. Keeping it clean?” I asked.
“Following the doctor's orders,” he chuckled.
The hostess called Cameron’s name, letting him know his order was ready. I got up and said, “That was quick.”
“Too quick. Did you want to stay and eat here?” he asked.
The other couple got up and left, and the hostess started cleaning off their table. “They are closing shortly. I’m sure they would rather not have any customers lingering around preventing them from cleaning up and going home,” I explained. It wasn’t as though we were in some deep conversation that we should inconvenience anyone else for.
“True. I’d ask if you wanted to come to my place, but that is across town,” he said. When I didn’t reply, he added, “And I’m sure you need to get home yourself because you have work tomorrow.” I nodded. “Guess we can finish this on Sunday.”
That made me smile. “I’m looking forward to it. Have a good night, Cameron.”
“Do you live close by? I mean, did you walk here?” he asked.
I shook my head. “About a ten minute drive at this time of night. My car is not far.”
“If you wait a minute, I’ll go and pay for my dinner, and I will walk you to your car,” he said.
It wasn’t as though I had a long walk. It was parked around the corner. “No need. I have my pepper spray with me this time,” I said, patting my purse.
“I know you can take care of yourself. I was just being a...”
“Gentleman,” I said softly.And I was being stubbornly independent.If Amanda had been here, she’d have given me a slap on the back of my head for being so dense.And this is why I’m still single. Hopefully, it wasn’t too late to change my mind. “You know, it is late, and I’d like it if you walked me.”
“I’ll be right back.” I watched as Cameron paid his tab. The hostess tried talking with him, but he seemed to brush her off and came back to me. “Ready?”
No. I’m not.
I nodded and he opened the door for us. It felt nice being outside without eyes on us. I knew they would be talking about it as they closed the restaurant. And I’m sure they would have a few questions for me the next time I visit.Might need to find another Thai restaurant for a while.
The cool air helped a little, but once again, he took my hand in his as we strolled down the street. I wished I’d parked further as it was way too short a walk. It might just be our fingers entwined, but it felt so damn good, and it was about to come to an end.
As we stood by my car, he released my hand but still held my dinner. “Thank you,” I said, reaching for my bag. He held it a bit longer as though it was the one thing holding me there. Not true. I could’ve left as soon as I picked up my dinner at the restaurant, but I chose not to.
“What time Sunday?” he asked.
Should I tell him about the weather? If I did, he might cancel. The weatherman didn’t have the best track record when it cameto accuracy anyway. It was always possible that by Sunday; the sun would be shining, and it would be a perfect day for the beach. So, I opted to say nothing about the rain. “The best time is in the morning if we want to get a good spot on the beach.”
“I’m an early bird. How about we go out for breakfast first and then head to the beach?” he suggested.
An all-day date. I like it.
“Okay. How about eight?”
“Make it seven. I know a place that is a little bit of a ride, but totally worth it. They have cinnamon bun-French toast that are addictive,” he said.
