What did he mean by that?
Darius turned back to Olivia, his brows drawn together. “Forgive me. I should have been more careful of your reputation.”
She shook her head and met his troubled gaze. “Mr. Simmons is always spouting off. I’ve learned to ignore him for the most part.” Her lips tipped up. “Besides, it was worth it.” In fact, she half hoped he’d repeat the offense.
His nostrils flared, and a smile stretched his lips. “I’d better leave before I’m tempted to do it again.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek, then headed back to the car. “I’ll see you soon, Olivia Rosetti.”
On Saturday night, Olivia paced the floor of her bedroom, waiting for Darius to arrive, and prayed the nerves in her stomach would subside. Would she even know how to act on a date? All she and Rory used to do was share a soda at the local diner. This outing with Darius would be a completely new experience for her.
She stopped in front of the mirror to once again check her appearance. On Ruth’s insistence, she’d gone shopping for a new dress and had chosen a rose-colored chiffon with short sleeves and tiny covered buttons down the front. As per the current style, the dress sported a thin belt at the waist, but it was the gauzy overlay on the bodice that made the dress seem so elegant. She’d also bought new high-heeled pumps and a matching hat. Overall, the purchases might be a bit extravagant for one dinner, but she hadn’t been shopping in ages. Ruth had insisted on providing Olivia with a small salary, and with little else to spend her money on, she didn’t feel too guilty for splurging.
When the doorbell rang several minutes later, she hurried down the stairs to answer it.
Darius stood on the porch, a box of chocolates and a bouquet of pink roses in his arms. “Good evening.” He came in and handed her the gifts. “These are for you.”
“Thank you.” Olivia’s hands trembled as she accepted the offerings. “You didn’t have to do that.” She smiled, taking a better look at him in the entryway lighting.
He wore a blue suit, white shirt, and striped tie. His hair was slicked back off his forehead, making his eyes appear even bluer. And when they trained on her with such focused intensity, her pulse skipped up two notches.
“You look beautiful,” he said in a husky voice.
“Thank you.” She bent to inhale the heady scent of the roses. Did he know they were her favorite?
Two heads poked out from the parlor. Monica, the newest resident, and Patricia, who was due in a few weeks, watched them with wide eyes.
“My, don’t you two look fancy,” Monica said with a wink.
Olivia’s face grew warm. “Darius, this is Monica and Patricia.”
“Nice to meet you, ladies.” He gave a bow, his lips twitching.
Olivia handed the flowers and candy to Patricia. “Could you take care of these for me? And help yourselves to a chocolate.” Then, before the women could comment further, Olivia turned back to Darius. “Shall we?”
“By all means.”
“Don’t keep her out too late,” Monica called. “Mrs. Bennington is a stickler for curfews.”
“Ignore them.” Olivia closed the front door to block out their giggles.
Grinning, Darius escorted her to his car and helped her inside, then started the engine and pulled away from the curb.
Several blocks later, Olivia shifted on the seat, searching for a topic of conversation. They’d always had things to talk about before, but now that they were on an actual date, her lips seemed glued shut.
“I made reservations at a Greek restaurant,” Darius said as he steered the car around a corner. “I thought you might like an introduction to our cuisine before Sofia’s party.” He hesitated. “But if that doesn’t appeal to you, we can go somewhere else.”
“No, that sounds perfect. I’d love to try something new.”
He smiled, his features relaxing.
“Actually, I haven’t been to very many restaurants,” she told him. “My mother always insisted that her cooking was better than anywhere else.”
Darius laughed. “My mother feels the same way. She has yet to eat in a restaurant.”
The tension in Olivia’s stomach eased a fraction. They did have a lot in common, simply by virtue of their families being from Europe. She couldn’t help stealing sidelong glances at his strong profile and remembering his amazing kisses. Would he try again tonight? The very idea made her pulse climb. Not since Rory had taken her to a school dance had she been this nervous.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up across from a restaurant called Mikos. The neighborhood had a European feel, the shops and eateries reminding her of the area where her parents lived.
Soon they were seated at a table for two by the front window, near a charming brick hearth. Tall pillars with carved vines flanked several large Greek statues draped in flowing togas. A display of wine bottles and grapes held a prominent place near the hostess’s desk.
“It’s beautiful,” she said as Darius opened the menu.
“A little exaggerated, but it gives the atmosphere of Greece.”
“Have you ever been there?”
“Sadly, I haven’t. My parents never had enough money to take us all back to their homeland. I have three older siblings, so it would have been expensive.”
“I didn’t know you had siblings.”
“A brother and two sisters, all much older than me and all living in different parts of Canada with families of their own. We get together about once a year.” He shrugged. “I wish we could see each other more often, but since we’re so far apart, it isn’t really feasible.”
The waiter arrived then with a large jug. After he poured two glasses of water, he pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil and said something in Greek.
Olivia stared at the foreign words on the menu and realized
