“Thank you.” She wore earrings dangling from her lobes, and they caught the light every time she shifted slightly. “You look nice too.”
I pulled out the chair for her then moved to the other side of the table. I didn’t even touch her waist or greet her with a hug. I avoided touching her at all costs, like she was fire and my fingers might get burned.
“Wine?” I held up the bottle.
“Please.”
I poured her a glass then set the bottle on the other side of the table. There was already a basket of bread, but I hadn’t touched anything because it would have been rude. But then again, I didn’t eat bread so it wouldn’t have mattered.
She placed her clutch at the edge of the table then picked up the menu. “I haven’t been here before, but I hear good things.”
“I’ve had a few meetings here. The food is great, and the service is quick.”
Her eyes browsed the selections. “Any recommendations?”
“The duck is exquisite. But the tenderloin is also good. If you’re looking for something on the healthier side, they have a great vegan option. I’ve had that for lunch a few times.”
She smiled as she kept looking. “Well, I’m not looking for anything healthy. When I go out to dinner, I make the most out of it.” She chuckled and didn’t lift up her gaze.
I was glad she didn’t because I got to enjoy the view of her. She’d just had her nails done, a classy French tip look. Her eye makeup was different, but I couldn’t explain how. I loved the way she enjoyed herself rather than starved herself. Alessia always got a salad and an ice water. She didn’t even drink wine most of the time because of the sugar and calories.
Made our dates a little boring.
“Then what are you getting?”
“Carbs.”
I almost chuckled.
“I’m getting the pasta.” She finally shut the menu. “What about you?”
“I don’t want to say.”
“Why not?” She wrapped her fingers around the stem of the wine glass.
“I guess I don’t make the most out of dinners like you do.”
Her smile hadn’t faded away. “Please don’t tell me you’re getting a salad.”
I shrugged in guilt.
“Come on, live a little.” She took a drink, her lipstick immediately sticking to the glass.
“I’ve noticed it’s harder to keep my appearance up as I’ve aged.”
“I know that all too well,” she said. “Especially after I had my daughter. But sometimes, you just have to stop caring.”
I’d always been fit since I was in my twenties. Physical exercise and diet had become an essential part of my routine. Since I didn’t have a wife to cook for me, it was easy to stick to a clean diet. I wouldn’t land women like Alessia if I didn’t keep a strong figure. “It’s hard for me not to care.”
“Because you’re one of the sexiest bachelors in the city? Or the country, for that matter?”
I didn’t view myself in that light, but I was flattered she did. “You think that?”
She laughed like my question was absurd. “You’re a very good-looking man, Vincent. You brush your teeth in the mirror every day…you must know this.”
I was aware of my charms, but I was happy she was aware of them too. “I’m flattered.”
“You shouldn’t be. It’s the truth.”
The waiter arrived and took our order.
I let Scarlet go first.
“I’ll take the pasta—extra cheese.” She handed the menu over.
The corner of my mouth rose in a smile.
“And you, Mr. Hunt?” the waiter asked, recognizing me like most other people.
Scarlet sipped her wine as she watched me.
I handed the menu over. “Give me the same thing—just not the extra cheese.”
“Very good, sir.” He walked away.
Scarlet was grinning from ear to ear. “Now, that’s more like it.”
When we finished dinner, we left the restaurant and reached the sidewalk. My driver immediately pulled up in my car and parked at the curb, aware of my movements at all times. I texted him two minutes ahead of time, and he was always at the right spot by the time I needed him.
“Thank you for dinner.” Scarlet held her clutch in her hand and walked slowly beside me, her heels clapping against the concrete. “I hope you don’t regret skipping the salad.”
“Not even a little bit.” It was okay to cheat once in a while.
“Good. I definitely don’t regret it.” She rubbed her flat stomach and stopped in front of my car.
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“Yes, thank you.” I opened the back door for her and helped her inside. Then I sat beside her and closed the divider between the driver and us. Scarlet gave him the address over the speaker, and then we were moving through the streets.
I hadn’t put up the divider because I planned on doing anything inappropriate. I just wanted some privacy. I wanted to be able to talk to her without someone listening in. Ironically, we didn’t say anything on the trip to her apartment. I’d dropped her off before but had never been inside the building. She lived in a good part of town. It wasn’t anything like where Diesel and I lived, but it was definitely nice.
My driver pulled up to the curb, and I got out first. I gave her my hand so she could use it for balance as she slid her beautiful legs out of the car. She stepped on the sidewalk then held herself perfectly straight.
I shut the back door and walked her to the front door of her building. “I had a great time tonight.”
“Me too.”
I opened the door and held it open so she could walk inside.
But she didn’t cross the threshold. “I always have a nice time with you, Vincent. You’re very easy to talk to.”
“Thanks. I think the same about you.”
Her eyes shifted back and forth slightly as she looked at me, the green color of her eyes reflecting the fluorescent lights from inside the building. A few strands of her hair came loose, floating in the slight breeze that billowed through the
