As if the ride along the beach wasn't enough of a treat, Danny took Lindsey to one of the trendier bistros in Brooklyn. She was beginning to feel a slight anxiousness at the money Danny was spending on this platonic get together. He hadn't called it a date, but it sure enough felt like it to her.
"So, you gonna call your dad tonight? Wish him a happy birthday?" Danny asked, finishing off the last of his ribeye steak.
Lindsey nodded, folding her napkin and placing it beside her plate. The salad she'd ordered had sounded fantastic and although it lived up to its discription on the menu, she found that she was going to have to leave part of it, or end up too stuffed to move. It was enormous.
"As soon as I get home." She checked her watch; it was only late afternoon in Montana.
Danny eyed her plate.
"You done?" He asked, and picked up the slim black book the waiter had left on the table.
Lindsey picked up her purse and set it in her lap, rummaging through it for her wallet.
"Danny, let me split the check with you," she offered, and pulled out some cash.
Shaking his head, Danny tucked his credit card into the inside pocket of the book, and motioned to their waiter.
"No way; this was my idea," he said, and held up a hand when she started to protest.
"You said this wasn't a date; just two collegues having dinner together," she began, and Danny nodded.
"It is," he stated, and handed the waiter his tip.
"But you're paying for everything!" she wailed, and Danny could nearly feel the wall going back up between them.
Exasperated, he rubbed at his temples, running his hand over his close-cropped hair.
"So?" he asked, trying not to let her arguing get to him.
"Look; you said you missed being with your family," he said,
"I was just trying to make it to where you felt like you were doing something special the same night they are." He looked at his watch.
"So you might be a couple hours early, but you can tell him you went out on his birthday and enjoyed yourself." He gave her a level stare.
"You are enjoying yourself, right? I mean, up until now." He folded his arms across his chest.
Lindsey looked at him across the table for a few moments and pondered his words. Yes, she'd been having a good time. Danny's gesture had taken her mind off her moping, and her heart wasn't quite so heavy. Danny had just been trying to make her feel better, and she was acting like a total bitch to him in return. He was watching her,
waiting for a response. Lindsey had just opened her mouth to thank him; to apologise for arguing, when Danny stood abruptly and walked out of the bistro. Lindsey watched him in silence. She was working so hard at keeping her distance that she had let her words and actions portray her as ungrateful. Sighing, she stood, thanked the waiter and followed Danny out of the restaurant.