My stomach dropped.
Oh, here we go…
Customers at other tables turned to stare and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Sorry, sir. We’ll get someone over right away,” the young woman replied.
“I’d appreciate it.”
The waitress left, but not before giving me a sympathizing smile.
“Well, this figures,” he grumbled. “Now I know why I haven’t been back for a while. The service here is deplorable. I should have known better. Sorry.”
I glanced around the restaurant, which was jam-packed. Servers were running around and looking stressed out. Being a nurse, I could definitely relate. “Maybe they’re just understaffed tonight?”
“That’s not our problem. I mean, hell, we should at least have water by now.” He nodded toward my spritzer. “At least you have your drink. I’m parched.”
I glanced toward the back of the restaurant, at the EXIT sign. Mitch’s suggestion of “escaping” out of the back was starting to sound inviting.
As if reading my mind, Brian relaxed. “Sorry. My bad. I must sound like a crabby old geezer. This isn’t me. I promise you. I’m just over-tired, hungry, and now thoroughly embarrassed. I’ve obviously overreacted. I hope I haven’t ruined our date before it’s even started…”
I relaxed a little. “It’s okay.”
He started talking about his last patient of the day and that was when our server arrived with the water.
She began apologizing right away as she set our glasses down. “There was an ordeal with an order that I had to take care of. I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Brian shrugged. “It’s fine. We understand. What do you have on tap?”
She listed an array of different beers and he chose a lager.
“Sounds good.” She looked at me and smiled. “Would you like a refill on your drink?”
“No. The water will be just fine.”
“Nonsense. Have another drink,” Brian said. “You deserve to let loose.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m—”
He interrupted me. “Just get her another wine spritzer,” Brian said with a pleasant smile. “I believe she likes Moscato. Make sure it’s from a bottle of your best.”
I stared at him in surprise. I hadn’t told him the wine I preferred.
Had it been on my bio?
I couldn’t remember.
“Uh, sure,” the waitress said, noticing my frown.
“Also, I think we’d like to order an appetizer, too.” Brian scanned the menu again. “Buffalo wings, with ranch dressing, and maybe a flatbread pizza? I love the spinach artichoke one. It’s the best, in my opinion.” He looked at me. “Sound good?”
I frowned. “I guess.”
His pushiness, and the way he was taking control of everything, was making me less hungry by the minute. I honestly didn’t care what he ordered by that point.
The server left us.
“Are you sure you’re okay with the appetizers? I guess I kind of ordered without asking you beforehand. Sorry. I guess I’m just nervous.”
“It’s fine.”
Brian looked relieved. “So, this is your first online date?”
“Yeah. What about you?”
“I’ve been on a couple. Obviously, they didn’t work out. But, I’m glad. Otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.”
I smiled.
“So, you said you live in the area too?”
“Yeah.” I told him where my cabin was located.
“I know exactly where that is. My place is over by River Creek.”
I knew the homes located there were costly. A couple of the doctors I worked with lived on that part of the lake.
“Nice views over there I imagine.”
He nodded. “The best. I love how secluded it all seems. You still have neighbors, and quick access to the freeway, but it still feels so far away from everything. Not to mention that the fishing is really great there, too. You’d love it.”
Brian talked about some of the large walleye he’d caught and invited me to go fishing with him. I told him that my schedule was crazy but I’d try to see what I could do.
“Good.” He studied my face. “You know, you have the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. I know that sounds like a line, but it’s not. I am constantly looking into people’s faces and I’ve never seen such a lovely color before.”
His compliment made me smile. “Thank you.”
Brian was about to say something else when Mitch approached our table. He apologized about the delay in getting service and offered us both free meals for the evening. For some reason, Brian didn’t look very appreciative of the offer.
“No, that’s quite all right,” Brian said with a tight smile. “I have no problem paying for dinner. But, thank you.”
“No, I insist. Your entire meal is on me,” Mitch replied. “Order whatever you’d like. Compliments of the House.”
“I guess if you ‘insist’. I mean, it would be silly of me to refuse,” Brian replied, still looking less than thrilled.
“Thank you, Mitch,” I added, smiling up at him. “It’s very generous of you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He winked at me and then walked away.
Brian gave me a funny look. “Do you two know each other?”
I explained how I’d met him at the bar.
He let out an irritated sigh. “Well, then. I guess that explains a lot.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Explains what exactly?”
“The way he was leering at you. I guess I can’t blame him. You’re very attractive.”
Leering at me?
Right.
Brian went on. “I also didn’t appreciate him trying to make me look like a fool.”
I stared at him in shock. “How did he do that?”
“By offering us free meals, just because I was a little frustrated with the server. He’s the one who made a big deal out of it.” He waved his hand toward the other tables. “Now everyone here probably thinks I’m a jerk, thanks to Mr. Big Shot.”
If anyone was making Brian look like a jerk, it was Brian. It took everything I had not to say it out loud.
He glanced toward the bar where Mitch was once again helping customers. “Guys like that really piss me off. Like he had to come and save the day to look like the “hero”. He needs to mind his own business is what he needs to
