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I knocked on the door gently but loud enough to hear. Alexis answered the door. She was wearing a blue dress with a small red belt around the waist. Breathtaking.
"Hey, gorgeous." I greeted leaning in and kissing her on the cheek.
"Well, don't you look handsome." She said looking me over in my black suit.
"It's a gift and a curse."
She rolled her eyes. "Let me get my purse and coat." She said running to the kitchen. I waited by the threshold of the door for her.
"You ready?" I asked as she came back.
"Yea, hold on." She said dropping her purse.
"Here, let me." I said taking the jacket from her hands and moved around her. I slipped it onto her arms. Sweeping her hair to the side, my fingertips brushed her neck and I felt her shiver. I grabbed her hand and led her out of the loft. She locked the door and we made our way to the restaurant.
"So where are we going?" She said in the back seat of the car.
"Italian Restaurant in the Upper East Side, Nica Trattoria. I hope that's ok?"
"Sounds delicious." She said snuggling into my arm.
We pulled up around the back to the small Italian bistro. I got out first and helped Alexis out of the car. I took her hand in mine and walked into the bistro.
"Good evening, do you have a reservation?" The host asked, the Brooklyn accent was clear in his voice.
"Yes, it's under Jasper and I requested a somewhat secluded table."
"Yes, sir. Right this way." He guided us through the dining area and sat us at a table in the corner. It was lit by only candlelight. "Your server will be with you shortly."
"Thank you." I said helping Alexis out of her jacket and pulling out her chair for her. I took my black suit jacket off as well and hung both on the hook behind my chair. I sat down and surveyed the ambiance. The tables were square with white linen covering all. The restaurant was packed and yet it was not very loud.
"You did good." Her voice brought me out of my surveying of the bistro.
"What?"
"You did good with picking." She said holding up her hands and motioning around her.
"So far." I said.
"Don't be so hard on yourself."
"Yea, you're right." I said as a waiter approached the table.
"Hi, my name is Tony and I'll be your waiter tonight. Can I start you out with drinks?" He said as he looked Alexis up and down.
"Water." I said sending an angry glare at him. He never looked at me.
"And for the pretty lady?"
"Water also. Thanks." She said with a smile.
As he walked away, I looked at him angrily. Alexis noticed because she grabbed my hand from across the table.
"You have nothing to be worried about." She said calmly.
"Worried about what?"
"I saw you. I have to say jealousy is very cute on you."
"I'm not jealous. I'm angry. He was undressing you with his eyes. God, I hate guys like that."
"Jasper, you did it when I opened the door tonight."
"Well, that's different. You're my girlfriend."
"Exactly, so don't worry about it."
Tony came back and brought our drinks. We then ordered and he left.
"So, I saw you on TV, today." She stated.
"You did?"
"Yea, it was on every major news station. They loved you. Anderson Cooper thinks you handled it gracefully and have a bright future ahead of you in politics."
"Speaking of which, I actually need to talk to you about something."
"Ok?" She said sipping her water.
"I was talking with Weldon and he told me that a city council chair will be opening up soon and Weldon wants me to run. He thinks I'd be good at it. He said he would basically take me under his wing and mentor me through the entire election process."
"Congratulations. Do you want to do it?" She said smiling with a 100 watt smile.
"Yea, I think it would be a good experience. Besides it gets paid. I won't have to do internships anymore."
"City Council Member Jasper Bracken, suits you."
"Well it's not official, yet. So don't get your hopes up."
"I'm proud of you." She said taking my hand in hers and squeezing it.
"That's all I ever want to do." I said.
Alexis gazed lovingly at me. The blush crawling up to her cheeks from her neck. I stared back at her with the same expression. Just say it already.
"Here's your food." The waiter said sitting a plate of spaghetti in front of Alexis and linguini in front of me. "Anything else I can get for you?"
"Nope, we're good." I said and with that he left.
We ate in a comfortable silence. Enjoying each other's presence. Every once in a while I would catch her looking at me and she would catch me. When we finished I paid the bill and we walked out onto the street together.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"The night is still young." I said simply. I guided her to a small building down the street.
"The Swing 46 Club?" She said reading the sign.
"I didn't get a chance to show you how great of a dancer I was at the party." I said taking her jacket and checking it. I took her hand and guided her to the dance floor where couples were dancing slowly to Coltrane.
I spun her around and grabbed her waist pulling her flush against me. I took her hand and I started moving slowly to the rhythm of the saxophone. The music started to slow and she laid her head on my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"I love you." I whispered in her ear.
She tilted her head up and looked into my eyes. She stood up on her tip toes and kissed me with all the passion in the world. I reciprocated, putting every ounce I held for her into the kiss. She pulled away breathless, her forehead against mine.
"I love you too." She said with a smile.
I smiled brightly back at her.