Ray turned away from the bar and indicated that Liz join him at his table. It was near the back of the bar, close to where the band would be setting up soon.
'Well, since I've been back and running the restaurant, this is only my second night off. And whilst the idea of the couch and a good movie was a little tempting, I saw that this place has a blues band on later. And I adore the piano'.
He pulled out a chair for Liz and then sat down himself.
'I love the piano too', she said as she turned to Ray, drinking in his appearance. He was wearing a smart black shirt and black slacks, his shirt collar open and a few buttons undone. He really was a sexy man. 'In fact, that's what really made me come in here. I wasn't sure when I first arrived'.
'Oh, I see. You're certainly dressed as though you intended to spend the night out somewhere nice', Ray said as he allowed his eyes to travel down her form.
'Well, I was supposed to be meeting my friend here but she cancelled. I actually went to your restaurant for dinner. Then I was at a loose end. Decided I may as well check out this new place seeing as I was out anyway'.
'You came to the restaurant? Oh, such a shame I wasn't there. I hope the service and food were exemplary?'
'Oh, as always', Liz said as she beamed back at him. 'I really must pass on my compliments to the owner next time I see him'.
Ray laughed and clinked her wine glass with his own, 'I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear that'.
'So, Ray, how long is it since you've lived here? Do you know anyone in town?'
'Well, I joined the Naval Academy at twenty-three. Haven't lived here since then. However, as my father was still here, I've been back to visit plenty times. Never for too long though. It is odd being back for this long, if I'm honest. After all those years travelling the world, being back here feels…. Well, I'm not really sure. I guess it makes me a little sad if I'm honest. Being back here for this long but without my father is rather lonely. My mother passed away when I was only eight so he was the only family I had'.
As Ray finished his sentence he looked away from Liz and he saw his cheek twitch a little. She suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him.
'No friends in town?'
'Not really. Some acquaintances but not friends. I was rather bookish at school, never seemed to fit into any of the traditional cliques'.
'And yet you joined the Navy?', Liz asked, quirking an eyebrow at him.
'Ha, yes. That was rather an impulsive move', Ray laughed. 'My mother's father was a Commander in the Navy and I guess I thought it might make me feel closer to her side of the family. I'm not sure it ever really did but I did love my time serving. A life on the ocean is never dull'.
'And what rank did you reach, if you don't mind me asking?'
'Ah, well, I was an Admiral. Briefly. However, once I'd achieved that rank, I have to say I grew a little bored. Being a Captain is where my heart really lay but as an Admiral, you're bound to a desk, not a ship. Wasn't really my thing. So I retired a year ago. Haven't done anything since'.
Ray looked up at Liz and found her peering at him closely. 'What?', he asked, an inquisitive smile playing about his mouth.
'I've never met an Admiral before. Or a General. Or…whatever the Air Force equivalent is. That's really rather impressive, isn't it?'
Ray laughed again and looked away. 'Oh, I don't know about that. I worked hard and I loved my work. And I guess I was good at it. To tell you the truth, running that restaurant sometimes seems more complicated than running a ship'.
Liz laughed at him and took another sip of her Chardonnay. She looked away briefly and saw that the band had started to set up.
'Anyway, Miss Keen. Enough about me. Tell me something about yourself', Ray asked as he settled forward on the table, his arm leaning so close to Liz's hand they were almost touching.
'Well, first of all, please call me Liz, not Miss Keen', she asked and smiled at him.
'Done, Liz'
'And about me…. Well, I've lived here all my life, other than when I was away at Harvard. I love this town. My father passed away just over a year ago and I never really knew my mother. Dad would never talk about her much. She killed herself when I was only five'.
'Oh, dear lord, I'm so sorry to hear that. That must've been horrific', Ray said and was tempted to lay his hand upon hers but stopped himself from doing so.
'I do remember a little of how I felt at the time but to be honest I was too young to really appreciate what it meant. However, I do think maybe it was that experience, however little I truly recall of it, that led me to become what I am today'.
'Which is?'
'Oh, I'm a Psychologist. I have a practice here in town. I really love the work. When you get results in that line of work, it's so wonderfully satisfying', Liz said and couldn't help the smile that brightened her face as she did so.
'Ah, yes, I can see that. And a Psychologist eh? Who went to Harvard? You must be a very intelligent woman', Ray said as he cocked an eyebrow at her.
'Well, I don't know about that but I guess I can hold my own in a intellectual debate', Liz said as she felt a blush passing across her face.
'I'll have to remember that before I challenge you to one' Ray laughed. 'Now, how about another round of drinks? I think the band is about to start'.
'Oh, yes, please. But let me, you bought the last round'
'No, no, I insist. You've been patronising my family's restaurant for some time now. I think I should be allowed to buy you more than one drink'. As Ray said this he winked at Liz and headed to the bar, brooking no argument.
As Liz sat and waited for him to return, she couldn't help but review how the evening had gone so far. She had, she could now admit to herself, gone to Nick's Pizza with the main intent of 'bumping into' Ray. And when he wasn't there, had pretended it hadn't been too much of a disappointment. But after the way this evening was now going, she had to admit that him being in this bar instead had thrilled her. Despite the fact he looked to be maybe twenty years older than her, she was hugely attracted to him. And the fact he had been an Admiral in the Navy? Boy, would she love to see some pictures of him in his dress whites….
As she was lost in these thoughts, Ray returned to the table and placed her glass in front of her. 'I got you another Chardonnay, I hope that's okay…..? Liz, you there?', he waved his hand in front of her face.
'Oh, Ray, I'm so sorry, I was daydreaming. Absolutely miles away, do excuse me'
'Dare I ask what you were thinking about? You had a look of utmost concentration on your face', Ray said, chuckling at her.
'Oh, er, nothing important…. Just work stuff'. Liz could feel another blush creeping up her chest and swiftly picked up her wine and took a sip in order to distract herself and hopefully Ray from her predicament.
Ray looked at her with a curious smile on his face but didn't say any more on the topic.
'Oh, look, the band are about to play'
Liz turned her head to look at the small stage and then turned her chair slightly so she could face them properly, rather than having to twist her neck. This gave Ray the opportunity to take her in without her noticing. His eyes ran up from her ankles to her hair and he unconsciously licked his lips as he allowed them to take some time over her curves and the smoothness of her skin.
The band then started to play and as they were seated so close to the stage, it became too loud for them to talk to each other anymore. Occasionally Liz would turn and smile at Ray or give him the thumbs up sign after a particularly good song but in general they sat and took in the music without communicating too much.
After an hour the band finished and Liz leant down to pick up her bag. 'Okay, I'm going to have to go home now. I am exhausted', she said as she looked up at Ray.
'Yes, I think I'll join you. Er, I, er, mean I should get home too'. Now it was Ray's turn to blush slightly and Liz had to bite her lip so as not to laugh, both at his near faux pas and at the fact he had blushed. She thought he looked adorable though and couldn't let him suffer long.
'Don't worry, I know what you meant', she said, smiling broadly at him.
They left the bar together and both turned to walk back towards Ray's restaurant.
'Do you live far away, Lizzy?'
'Lizzy? Oh my, no one's called me that for years'
'Oh, I am sorry. Liz. Not sure where that came from', Ray said as he laughed at himself.
'No, it's fine. Actually, I kinda like it. You can call me that if you like'. Liz realised what she'd just said had implied they'd be seeing more of each other, one way or another. Ah, well, if you don't buy a ticket….
'Okay, Lizzy it is. So, where do you live?'
'Not too far away but I'm going to need to get a cab. Especially in these heels'.
'Well, I was going to walk but maybe we could share a cab? Could drop you off first? I should really insist on seeing a lady to her door if I'm going to be a gentleman after all'
'Sounds good. But where do you live? It might be the opposite direction?'
'Out on Rosemont Drive'
'Really? That's just beyond my street. That works perfectly'
Liz grinned up at Ray and he smiled back at her before heading to the taxi rank that they had been approaching. He ducked his head in the window and said something to the driver and then turned back to Liz and motioned her towards the car. He opened the door for her and then went around to the other side to slide in the backseat next to her.
The ride didn't take long and neither of them could think of what to say next. They both wanted to ask some kind of question about seeing each other again but they both realised during the cab ride that they hadn't actually had a conversation about whether or not the other was married, in a relationship or whatever. Despite the fact the topic would probably have come up had that been the case, for either of them, this doubt kept them both quiet.
Once they got to Liz's apartment block, the cab pulled over and she leant forward to hand the driver some money.
'Well, goodnight Ray. I'm sure I'll see you soon. You know how I love your pizza', Liz said and smiled sweetly at him. 'And thank you for a wonderful evening. It was really good to get to know you'.
'You too, Lizzy. And yes, I hope I see you soon. Have a good night now'.
Liz shut the door and turned towards her block. A huge smile broke out on her face and she couldn't help but feel that maybe this was the start of something very exciting.
Ray sat back in his seat after Liz had gotten out of the car. He too smiled to himself as he realised that he had hopefully made his first friend in town. A friend that could turn out to be so much more.