Chapter 28

"So, how about we try that dinner thing again tonight?," Glen asked, casting Kim a sideways glance as he navigated his rental car back down the mountain.

"Oh, well, that's fine I guess, but you really don't have to do that."

"I know I don't have to. But I want to." he argued playfully, grinning. "Besides, I still owe you a good meal. To make up for...well, you know."

"I thought you said we were going to forget about that?" she questioned, although she was smiling too as she gazed out the window at the scenery rushing past them.

"I did. And I will. As soon as you let me make it up to you. Then I promise, I won't mention it ever again." He held his right hand up as though taking an oath.

Still grinning, Kim shook her head. "Ok. Fine. If it makes you happy..."

"Good. So, since that part is settled, where should we go? This is your town. So you tell me. What do you recommend?"

She thought for a moment, trying to mentally review the list of all the good restaurants she could remember.

"Well, I'm not sure exactly. Um, what kind of food do you like?"

Glen chuckled. "Do I look like I'm very picky?"

"Well, okay. Is there anything you don't like then?" she laughed, rolling her eyes at him.

"I'm not crazy about Chinese food. But I can eat it if I have to." he replied. "Other than that, everything else is fair game."

Kim made a face. "I don't like Chinese food either. I never have been able to tolerate it."

"Well, that's one good thing we have in common then."

"I guess so." She thought for a moment, then turned back to him. "I guess it's difficult for you, isn't it? Doing things like that. Going out to eat and such. You probably don't get a lot of privacy, do you?"

He shrugged. "It can be difficult. It's frustrating sometimes. But it comes with the territory, you know? I guess it's just one of those things you get used to after a while."

"It still doesn't seem right, though. I mean, you work hard. You deserve to have some peace and quiet every now and then. It's sad that you can't even eat a meal in peace."

"I survive. Honestly, I really don't go out a lot when I'm on the road. I spend a lot of time in my hotel room. I guess that sounds pathetic, but really, it's not so bad. Like I said, you get used to it. I think the hardest part is when I'm home. You know, you just want to be able to go out and do normal things and just be a normal person but it's really difficult to do sometimes. But, I always remind myself that if people weren't excited to see me, then I probably wouldn't have a job. They are the ones who purchase the tickets and buy the merchandise that pays my salary. So I try to be as polite as I can, to a certain extent." He glanced at her, tilting his head in her direction. "There are always those people out there who love to try to push your buttons, if you'll let them, just hoping for a photo or some video footage they can post online and make themselves a star. Those are the ones I really have a problem with."

"I'm sure." she replied, her attention drawn back to the window as she contemplated his words. "It's a shame some people have to be so disrespectful."

"It's nothing new. You'll find the same behavior everywhere. There's not a whole lot you can do about it. Anyway, I didn't mean to go off on such a tangent there. Besides, you're supposed to be deciding where we should eat tonight."

Kim remained quiet, lost in thought, as she continued to stare at the passing landscape out the window.

"Hey," he prodded, finally grabbing her attention. "You look like you're deep in thought over there. Care to tell me what that's all about?"

She smiled. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking."

He cocked an eyebrow curiously. "About what, should I ask?"

"About your dinner." she teased. "I was trying to decide where we should go before you starve to death on me."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

"And did you decide?"

"Actually I did. Well, sort of. I need to make a couple of phone calls when we get back, but I don't think we'll have any problems getting in."

He flashed her a look of surprise. "So, care to tell me where we're going?"

With a smug smile, Kim crossed her arms and sat back in her seat. "You'll find out soon enough."

"It's a surprise!" she added, batting her eyelashes at him innocently when he gave her a suspicious look. "You're not the only one who can keep a secret, you know!"

XXXXXXXX

"Turn down the alley there on your right. There's a small parking lot in the back." Kim ordered from her position in the passenger seat.

Glen did as she instructed, pulling into one of the marked parking spots behind the building.

"So this is my surprise?" He glanced about curiously, surveying the surroundings. "Uh, can I ask why we are parking back here. Isn't the entrance in the front of the building?"

"The main entrance is in the front of the building. This entrance is for special guests only." Without any additional explanation, she exited the car, and started toward the plain service door that was visible from the lot, leaving Glen scrambling to keep up with her.

She was already knocking on the door by the time he caught her, temporarily shelving any additional questions he had. A moment later, the door swung inward, the bright fluorescent lighting disappearing as quickly as it had appeared behind the hulking frame that suddenly filled the doorway.

"Ah, there's my girl!," a deep voice exclaimed as Kim was lifted off her feet and enfolded into a huge bear hug.

Caught off guard by the sudden exchange, Glen wasn't sure if he should be delighted or concerned with the scene unfolding in front of him. He finally decided on the former, but only after Kim had her feet safely planted on the ground again.

"And is this him? The one you were telling me about?" the voice inquired and Glen nervously took a step backwards, unsure if he should expect to receive the same treatment. "Well don't just stand there. Come in, come in!"

The shadow vanished back inside the brightly light room, and Kim followed behind, but not before turning to flash a brilliant smile in Glen's direction. Still confused, he let her lead him through the door and into what turned out to be a large commercial kitchen. He shut the door behind him, and for the first time got a glimpse of the huge man who had just greeted them and who was now standing with his arm protectively around Kim's shoulders. He was an older man, just shy of Glen's own size, well-built, with dark hair and a amicable smile, and for one brief second, Glen was envious of the familiar bond that he apparently shared with Kim.

"So this is him, eh?" the man repeated, releasing Kim and stepping forward with his hand outstretched. Glen mimicked his movements, accepting his firm handshake, his original misgivings evaporating at the man's warm welcome.

"Poppy, I want you to meet Glen. Glen, this is Poppy."

"Actually, my name is Sergio. Poppy is just a nickname." he corrected as he shook Glen's hand.

"Poppy is an old family friend" Kim explained, taking note of Glen's confusion. "He and my father go way back."

"Hey, who you callin' old?" Sergio questioned, as he turned his attention back to her. "You should know by now, I'll never be old!"

"Of course. I forgot. My mistake." Kim teased as she moved to stand by Glen.

"So, you two are here for dinner." Sergio inquired, although it came out more as a statement than a question. "Well, welcome to Figaro's. I hope you will enjoy your evening here. Let me show you to your table."

"Figaro's? Not Sergio's?" Glen questioned jokingly, as he and Kim followed Sergio through the kitchen into an empty hallway.

"Figaro is my father's name. This used to be his restaurant. I inherited it from him many years ago." Sergio explained, as he motioned them through another open doorway into an empty dining room. "Ah, here is your table. This will be satisfactory for you, no?"

One solitary table in the corner of the room had been arranged with a place setting for two. White china, sparkling glasses and a beautiful bouquet of flowers adorned the surface of the crimson red table cloth, flanked by a matching pair of thin, white candles. Similar candles had been placed on several of the neighboring tabletops,creating a romantic ambiance that complimented the lighting in the dimly lit room.

"This room is normally reserved for special events, but tonight, it's all yours." Sergio added with a smile.

Kim stepped forward and hugged him tightly again. "It's perfect! Thank you so much!"

"It's my pleasure. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll leave you two to your dinner. I'll send your waiter by in a few minutes to take your order. If you need anything, please let me know."

They both thanked him again as he left the room, then took their seats, Kim grinning in enjoyment as she met Glen's gaze across the table.

"So this is what you've been planning all afternoon?" Glen inquired, amused by the smug look on her face.

"Yep, this is it. Impressed?" she asked.

He nodded as his gaze traveled around the room. "Very. It's not often I have an entire dining room all to myself. You managed to do all of this with just one phone call?"

"Well, most of this was Poppy's idea. I asked him for a quiet table where we could eat our meal in peace. And this..." she stated, waving her hand across the table, "...is what he gave us."

"Well, I'm certainly not going to complain. This is very nice."

"It was the least I could do. I figured you deserved to have a nice dinner too," she replied. "I hope you like Italian food. Sergio is a wonderful chef."

"I'm sure he is." he agreed, as he picked up his menu and opened it. "So you come here often then?"

Kim shrugged. "I've been here a few times. He always treats me well."

"I can see that." Glen answered, as his gaze wandered around the room again. He felt another pang of jealousy as he wondered if she'd ever brought any other men to dinner here.

"Well, honestly, I don't usually get this kind of treatment."

"I kind of told him it was a special occasion." she added when he flashed her a curious look. "I just told him that we needed some time alone."

Amused, Glen closed his menu and reclined back in his chair.

"Oh, I see. And can I ask why you're so anxious to be alone? You have another surprise I don't know about?" he teased.

Kim blushed, the heat rising in her cheeks until they were the same color as the tablecloth.

"I...no reason. I just thought...you might like to enjoy a nice dinner without any interruptions." she stammered, her gaze dropping quickly to study the menu.

"That's a shame," he answered, feigning interest in his own menu as he picked it up again. "I think I'm starting to like your surprises."

"You're incorrigible." she replied, the huge grin on his face making her laugh. "Behave, will you? Geez, I can't take you anywhere."

Touching his finger to his forehead, he gave her an obedient salute. "Yes ma'am. Best behavior. Got it."

He watched her as she resumed her perusal of the menu, his earlier jealousy diminishing as he studied the smile on her face. If any other man had been foolish enough to have had her in his grasp and then let her slip away, then the fool was not worthy of being envied. And if he had not been the first person with whom she had shared this perfect world of hers, then he vowed that he would at least be the last. He would not make the same mistake as those before him. There was no way he would ever let her slip through his fingers again. And he was determined, now more than ever, that he would do whatever it took to keep her by his side, no matter what the cost might be.

XXXXXXX

"There is no way I could possibly eat another bite." Glen leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, his hand running over his full stomach.

"I told you, didn't I? Sergio really does a wonderful job." Kim replied, stifling a groan at her own discomfort. Like Glen, she'd eaten entirely too much.

"I think I've found my new favorite restaurant." he sighed. "We'll definitely have to come back here again. Soon."

His eyes still closed, Kim watched Glen from across the table, contemplating his words. Even though they'd spent a wonderful day together, she still found it difficult to believe that this was real. That he was really here. That he still wanted to be with her. To hear him make plans for the future, no matter how insignificant, was still inconceivable to her.

"So, how was your meal? Enjoyable, no?" Sergio inquired, as he stepped into the room, pulling Kim from her thoughts.

"Oh, Poppy, it was wonderful as always! You never disappoint. You should know that by now!"

"Of course I know it! I just never get tired of hearing it." he laughed, putting his arm around her shoulders again as she stood up beside him.

Opening his eyes, Glen watched their interaction, the sight of which did not affect him as strongly as it had earlier that evening. Despite his initial concerns, it was obvious from their conversations that Sergio was a friend, nothing more. He had no reason to be jealous of him or be mistrustful of his motives, which was a relief, considering the man made it practically impossible to dislike him. He stretched and rose from his chair, approaching them with his hand outstretched in a display of genuine gratitude.

"Thank you, Sergio. For everything. It's been a very enjoyable evening."

The second man accepted his hand warmly. "Of course. You two are welcome here anytime. Anytime!"

They continued their small talk as Sergio led them down the hallway and through the kitchen toward the service entrance, his arm still around Kim as Glen trailed behind them.

"Thank you again." Kim stated, as they stopped at the door. She stepped forward and hugged him tightly and he responded with a warm kiss on her cheek.

"Come back soon. Please."

"We will." One last hug and she slipped out the door, making room for Glen. Glen followed behind her, offering his large hand to Sergio one last time. Sergio grasped it and pulled him closer.

"She's a good girl. And a good friend. So you take good care of her, eh?" he stated earnestly, patting Glen on the back with his free hand.

Glen smiled, returning the favor. "Don't worry, my friend. I plan on taking very good care of her. We'll come back again soon, I promise."

"Anytime!" he repeated, laughing as Glen disappeared through the door. "Please come back anytime!"