Pre-Dinner Bets
Disclaimer…The people at the restaurant are my own made up characters. Ray and Neela? sTiLL nOt MinE.
A/N: Hopefully the length of this one will make up for the shortness of the last one :)
A forewarning though, the last chapter is probably going to be relatively short too...
As always, THANK YOU to those who reviewed--you're awesome.
"That is a long line!" Neela observed as they rounded the corner and their destination came into view.
"Yes, and that is why I called Scott. Come on, we can go up to the front." He winked. As they approached the door way they got several dirty looks from people in line. Ray approached one of the bouncers.
"You're going to have to go to the back of the line sir," the man said sternly.
"Can I speak with Marcus?" The bouncer's face softened slightly.
"Step right over here," he gave them a small smile. Over his shoulder he called for Marcus.
"Thank you," Neela said as they walked past the bouncer into the area he had indicated. A very tall and full-bodied man walked toward Ray and Neela. He was big, not overweight, just large.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, my name is Ray Barn—" the man interrupted him, and held out his hand.
"Ah, Ray!" he said, shaking Ray's hand. Then turning to Neela, "and you must be Neela," he shook her hand as well. "Please both of you, come in, come in." He motioned for them to go through the door he was now holding open. "A table for two?"
"Yes," Ray answered.
"Were you interested in a private room?" Neela shook her head.
"No," Ray said, repeating Neela's sentiment.
"Right this way." Marcus led them to a table that was tucked behind a pillar just enough that the noise of the room was not overpowering, but they weren't isolated. There was a curved bench seat that could hold two or three people comfortably, and one chair opposite the bench. Neela slid onto the bench and Ray sat in the chair, not across from her, but not right next to her either. "I'll go tell Scott you're here. Can I get you a drink first?" He lay the drink menu in front of them.
"Yes, I'll have…a…" Neela looked over the menu. "a glass of Merlot." He nodded and looked at Ray.
"Same."
"Ok, Scott will be right over with your drinks."
--o--
"Ray," Neela said after Marcus left, "I thought you said this place wasn't expensive. The drink prices are exorbitant, I hate to think what the entrees will be. If you don't think this is expensive, I wonder what you think is."
"I told you not to worry about the prices, Neela."
"It's hard when they're this high."
"Scott won't charge me the listed price." He continued as she opened her mouth to protest, "and before you start to argue, he will be charging me. Not you." She looked at him. "Enjoy yourself, Neela. Ok?" She nodded. A man who Neela assumed must be Scott, approached with two glasses of wine.
"Hello!" The man placed the glasses on the table, and set the tray aside. "Ray, it's good to see you." Ray stood and they shook hands. "And you must be Neela. I'm Scott." She started to stand. "No, no, don't get up."
"Good to meet you, Scott." She held out her hand to shake his.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Neela." He took her hand and instead of shaking it, he lifted it and gave it a light kiss.
"Alright, alright, Scott, that's enough," Ray teased. Scott had lowered Neela's hand, but was still holding it in his. He let go.
"Though, if I am not mistaken, Dr. Rasgotra here is your roommate, not your girlfriend."
"She's my date for tonight," he replied playful, but firm, as he sat back down.
"Ok," Scott laughed, "here's the menu for tonight. Ray, I know you don't like to hear it all, so I'll just tell you, our specials and soup du jour are all on the center page."
"Thanks," Ray laughed.
"Andrew will be over to take your order in a few minutes. Let me know if you need anything at all throughout the night, I'm always around." Ray nodded. "If you don't see me, you can tell any server or bartender that you are with CFS," Ray looked at him questioningly. Scott raised his finger, indicating for him to wait until he finished, "and would like to speak with me. They won't give you any trouble. Among my business partners, CFS stands for Close Friends of Scott, but most of the staff know it as Center for Food Safety, a department of the FDA." All three laughed.
"Thank you," Neela said, and nodded.
"Lastly, I would recommend the seafood bisque, it was just made an hour or so ago; and the sauce for the Chicken Piccata is actually an old family recipe, I make it myself. I'll leave you now. Neela, it's good to put such a beautiful face to a beautiful name." He smiled, and walked away.
"Wasn't he wearing a wedding ring?" Neela asked once Scott was out of earshot. Ray laughed.
"Yeah. He's kind of a lady's man. He's a flirt, but his wife knows it, and he'd never do anything. He's a good guy." Neela nodded. "What are you going to get?"
"I don't know, it all sounds so good, but I am not all that hungry."
"You haven't really eaten all day."
"I had cereal soon before we left."
"And that's all you've eaten."
"So?"
"Just pointing it out…" He shrugged.
"The Chicken Piccata does sound really good, though the Thai Salad does too. And the soup." Ray laughed.
"That would be a lot. You can get a cup of the soup and the Thai Salad as the side salad with the chicken."
"No, the Thai Salad is an entrée, and it says no substitutions down here," she pointed to the bottom of the menu.
"Ahh, the perks of knowing the manager…" He smiled. "You can substitute."
"I still don't think I'd eat that much."
"Ok, how about this: we get the Chicken Piccata, and the full size Thai Salad, and a bowl of the bisque, and split it all?"
"Sure, I guess so." She smiled.
"Ok, that's what we'll do. After we order, what do you say we go dance?"
"I don't want to."
"It'll be fun."
"I'm really not in the mood."
"Fine then," he said, changing the subject, "I propose a toast." He lifted his wine glass, and Neela did the same. "To having the perfect Roomie."
"I'm not perfect, Ray."
"I didn't mean you. I meant me." She rolled her eyes. "No, you're right, I did mean you. And yes you are." She put her glass down, without a toast.
"How can you know what you know about me, and have the word perfect ever come to mind?"
"You're perfect in your own way."
"And what way is that?"
"I don't know how to explain it, you're just...you."
"That makes no sense."
"Fine, then I propose a toast to the best Roomie, however perfect or imperfect she may be." He raised his glass again. She raised hers as well. "To the best Roomie ever."
"To being Roomies," she replied, unable to hold back a small smile. They tapped their glasses together, and each took a sip. "I'm going to the restroom," Neela said as she got up. Ray nodded. Not long after Neela left, Andrew came over and took the order. Once they had exchanged a few words, they both recognized each other as having met before. Andrew put the order in and returned to the table, taking Neela's seat.
"Wait, so I thought this Neela girl was your roommate," Andrew stated.
"She is."
"Scott was just saying that I shouldn't even bother…"
"What hitting on her?" He sipped his wine as they talked.
"Yeah," he laughed. "And that she's with you."
"She is."
"So you're dating your roommate? Doesn't that usually go the other way—you date and then you live together?" They both laughed.
"No," Ray explained, "she's not my girlfriend. She's my friend, and she's my date for the night."
"So, why can't I talk to her? You can get her cheap meals here, but I can get them free," he joked. Ray laughed.
"You can talk to her, but she told me flat out that she wasn't interested in socializing."
"Then why'd she come here?"
"I wanted to take her out for dinner. I know this is a good place, and I know it'll be good service." He smiled.
"Why are you taking her out to dinner?"
"What, as opposed to, say, you?"
"For example, yes." Andrew grinned.
"She's my friend."
"Your friend?" he said dubiously.
"Yes."
"The Ray Barnett I met does not have female acquaintances that are just friends."
"Yeah, he does." He smiled. "Just not many."
"You're something else, Ray," Andrew sighed. "Will you at least give me a chance?"
"Sure, but expect to be shot down."
"Ye of little faith."
"Just a warning." He saw Neela out of the corner of his eye.
"You'll see, I will be able…" Ray pointed out Neela's presence subtly with his eyes. "Yeah, ok, I see." Andrew nodded. Neela came up to the table. "Sorry there Neela, I stole your seat, didn't I?" Andrew said as he stood. She smiled politely.
"Thank you."
"Andrew and I were just talking…it turns out we have met before…"
"Ok," she replied not really understanding his need to explain.
"I gave him our order." She nodded. "I'll be right back."
"We've remodeled a little since you were here last Ray, the men's room is over there now." Andrew pointed to one of the back corners. Ray nodded and left.
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, that would be fine." Andrew now took Ray's seat.
"Ray has told me a lot about you."
"All good things I hope?" He laughed.
"Yes, all good things. I must say, I have a lot of respect for someone who can live with Ray Barnett."
"Why do you say that?" Neela asked, sipping on her wine.
"He doesn't seem to be the ideal roommate." Neela smiled.
"It works out all right." Andrew smiled at her. "Sure, he's messy, but I am too."
"Isn't he in a band too? Doesn't that get annoying?" Neela laughed.
"It was, it was. He's not in the band anymore. His band mates were nice enough, they were just loud."
"So tell me," Andrew leaned on the table thereby moving closer to her, "what's a pretty girl like you doing going out on a date with her roommate?"
"He's my friend." Neela smiled sweetly. Mentally, she was madly trying to figure out how to let this guy down easily.
"The way he talked about, it sounded like you don't have a boyfriend."
"Is that so?" Andrew smiled.
"It is." Neela saw Ray approaching slowly. Andrew's back was to him, but he knew Neela could, and did see him. She was able to catch his eye, and subtly ask him to return to the table. "So what do you say I take you out on a proper date?" Ray had come close enough to hear Andrew's question.
"That's very kind of you, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to say no."
"Why's that?"
"Hey now," his voice startled the other man, "don't you know it's impolite to hit on someone else's date?" he asked. His voice was playful, but he was obviously also being serious.
"My apologies," Andrew replied, standing up. "I should probably get back to work."
"Probably a smart idea," Neela said sweetly.
"Can I get anything for either of you right now?"
"Some water would be great actually," Ray answered. Neela nodded in agreement.
"I'll be right back with some." He left.
"Ray," Neela scolded, "you knew he was going to do that."
"Yeah, kinda," he answered with a mischievous smile.
"I told you I didn't want to be social."
"I had to go to the bathroom."
"Conveniently at the same time Andrew was still here."
"I didn't think it could hurt, Neela. Plus, Andrew's a nice guy." Neela sighed. "And I warned you." He smiled. "It doesn't matter when I get up, some guy is going to come talk to you, it just so happens that I knew this guy."
"I doubt that. You left when he was standing right here, of course he would stay, especially if you told him I didn't have a boyfriend!"
"I didn't."
"He said you implied it."
"I don't think so…when he asked why I was taking you out, as opposed to someone else, I said I was taking you out as a friend. That's all."
"Ok. But I still think you left at quite the opportune time for him."
"Seriously, do you want me to get up again? If I'm wrong you don't have to dance with me tonight at all."
"And if you're right, I do?"
"Yes." She smiled.
"Alright, you're on."
"Ok, I'm going to go meander over to those paintings on the wall." He stood up, and walked away, leisurely. Soon after he left, Andrew came back to the table with the water. Ray could see him put the glasses down, and then start talking to Neela again. Ray smiled and walked back over to the table, hearing the end of their conversation, again.
"…so I just thought I'd ask."
"Again?" Ray said over Andrew's shoulder, startling him again, though this time not as much.
"I was just keeping her company, since you left, man." Andrew punched Ray playfully in the arm, and then left. Ray sat down.
"See?"
"I don't know if that counts. It was the server, he had to come to the table. Plus, it was the same guy."
"Would you like to try this little experiment again?"
"Yes."
"Ok, same wager." He smiled.
"Ok." She gave him a smile in return, and he walked away once more. Soon after he left a young man did, in fact, approach the table. Ray couldn't hear the conversation, but he could see them both.
"What is a lovely young woman like yourself doing eating alone?"
"I'm actually not alone. My friend will be right back."
"Mind if I join you until such time?" he asked as he slid into Ray's seat. He noted the women's purse leaning against the chair.
"I suppose not."
"My name is Alex, by the way." He extended his hand.
"Neela." She shook his hand, stiffly.
"That's a pretty name. Indian?"
"Yes." She smiled politely, and took the last sip of her wine.
"Can I get you another drink?" Noting the other empty wine glass, he added, "and your friend?" Neela smiled, knowingly. "Where did your friend go?" he asked looking around, looking for the owner of the purse he'd seen.
"He's right over there." Neela pointed to Ray, who tried to look nonchalant.
"Oh. My apologies."
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you bought another round of drinks." He smiled uneasily.
"I, uhh, misunderstood you, I'm sorry." Neela tried to wave Ray over under the table. It took him a while to notice, but he finally did. Alex was at a loss for words, but Ray returned soon enough that the awkward pause was not very long. Alex quickly stood.
"That's alright. Alex, this is Ray. Ray, Alex." They shook hands, Alex obviously uncomfortable.
"Relax, man," Ray smiled. Alex gave a polite, but utterly unconvincing smile.
"Enjoy the rest of your night, Neela, Ray," Alex said stiffly before quickly leaving.
"I win," Ray declared to Neela, and held out his hand. "Come on. Come dance while we wait for food."
"I really don't want to."
"You have to. I won." He grinned, and shrugged off his coat. He draped his jacket over the back of his chair.
"Fine. One song. That's it." She put her purse on her seat, so it wasn't quite so out in the open, then she stood and took his outstretched hand.
"Ok," he smiled. He led her to the dance floor. The song was fast paced. Neela's body seemed to naturally move to the rhythm of the music. She danced close to, but not quite touching him. Before long, he could no longer keep his hands off of her, and he placed each of his hands around her waist. She put her hands over his, and he feared she was going to push him off. Instead she held his hands and pulled them tighter around her stomach, leaning back into him. The song was ending, and being blended into the beginning of the next song, which was much slower. She turned around in his arms, and wrapped her hands around the back of his neck. He pulled her a little closer and she let her head fall onto his chest. She was just the right height that when they stood like this, her ear rested over his heart. After several minutes, the tempo of the song started to increase again, as it blended into the next track.
"That's enough," Neela said quietly. She looked up at him. He nodded. "The food is probably coming soon, too." He nodded again. Finally she let her hands drop, and he slowly released her waist.
R.E.V.I.E.W.S.-- Revising Each Version Incorporates Everyone's Written Suggestions