Mark sat in the living room waiting for Elizabeth. He had invited her to lunch and now he was second guessing his decision. Was it really a good idea to invite his housekeeper, who he was really attracted to, to lunch? Mark shook his head and cleared his mind. He should have nothing to worry about he thought to himself. After all, he had invited Elizabeth to lunch, because he had felt sympathy for her. It was not like he had asked her on a date or anything. Mark made up his mind right then and there, that he would not let their relationship get any more personal than this.
Elizabeth stood before the mirror in her bathroom. She had on khaki slacks and a black sweater. Elizabeth sighed as she took the high ponytail out of her hair and began putting her curls into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. This was the nicest outfit that she owned. She hoped that Mark would approve of it, even though it wasn't spectacular.
Mark looked down at his watch. Elizabeth should be down anytime he thought to himself, as the sound of his cell phone ringing cut his thoughts short. Mark looked at the number on the screen and cursed. He flipped open the phone and replied, "Hello Melanie."
"Hello Mark." Melanie said. Melanie waited a second before she continued. "I was wondering when you would have my check ready?" She asked him, with a coolness to her voice. Mark almost laughed into the phone. "Money was the only thing I was ever good for, huh Mel?" He said sarcastically. "Don't be an asshole Mark!" Melanie sneered into the receiver. Mark sighed. There was no way around this. He was going to have to pay her this month sooner or later, so he might as well get it over with and get her off of his back.
Mark thought before speaking. "I have to leave early tomorrow morning for the road, so I won't be home until Friday, but if you want you can stop by sometime this week and pick up the check from my housekeeper." "Your housekeeper?" Melanie asked, with curiosity in her voice. "When did you get a housekeeper Mark?" "When I decided that I needed one!" He snapped at her.
Mark spent the next couple of minutes finishing up the conversation with Melanie, before he flipped his phone shut. The woman made his temper flare. He had trusted her, loved her, and taken care of her and all she had ever cared about was his fucking money. The sight of Elizabeth entering the living room stopped his thoughts. She looked gorgeous. Her creamy skin was a little flushed and her hair was pulled back with a few curls framing her beautiful face.
"You look nice." Mark said, smiling at her. Elizabeth blushed and quietly said, "Thank you Mr. Callaway." Shall we then?" Mark said, pulling on his black leather jacket. Elizabeth nodded as Mark opened the door that lead to the garage. Mark walked around to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door for her. "Thanks." Elizabeth said, climbing into the truck cab.
Mark shut the passenger door and walked over to the driver's side and climbed into the truck cab also. He started the engine, opened the garage door, and pulled out. They sat in silence during the drive to the restaurant. Before long they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and Mark cut the engine. "I hope italian is alright." He said, pulling his key from the ignition. Elizabeth smiled, "I love italian."
When they got inside the restaurant, the maitre d' seated them at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. Mark sat on one side of the booth, Elizabeth sat on the other. A couple of minutes after they had sat down, the waiter approached them. "Good afternoon." The waiter replied with a smile. "Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked, handing menus to both Mark and Elizabeth. Mark nodded, "Bring us a bottle of your finest wine." The waiter nodded in acknowledgment and left to go get the wine.
Oh no. Elizabeth thought to herself. Mark was expecting her to drink. She was almost 9 weeks pregnant, there was no way that she could drink with lunch. Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she tried to think of an excuse as to why she couldn't have a glass of wine with lunch.
Mark noticed Elizabeth shifting nervously in her seat. "Are you alright?" He asked her, concern etched on his face. Elizabeth meet his eyes with her gaze. "Yes…" "I…I…It's just that…I don't really drink." Mark smiled at her from across the table. "You don't drink, huh?" He said with a chuckle. "No." Elizabeth said, looking down at the table. Great, Elizabeth thought to herself. Now, Mark probably thought she was really immature since she said she didn't drink.
"That's alright." Mark said. "I'll drink the wine and you order whatever you want to drink." Elizabeth looked up at Mark with a smile. "Thanks." They made small talk, as they waited for the waiter to return with the wine. Both Mark and Elizabeth tired to ignore the attraction that lingered between them as they talked.