CHAPTER TWO
I quickly lock up the shop as Dominic waits for me outside. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see him leaning against the hood of his slick sports car as he guzzles down his espresso and chomps away at the biscotti in a short amount of time. I think he looks adorable gobbling down the food I made him and I hope he enjoyed it.
I sling my cross-body purse over my shoulder and toss the store keys into the large front pocket as I make my way to him. My kitten heels click against the pavement and he watches my every move as I get closer to his car. He chucks his empty coffee cup and paper bag into a nearby trash can before he strides toward the passenger door and holds it open for me.
"So Rose, for our first date what type of restaurant would you like to go to? French? Italian? A seafood place?" Dominic asks as offers his hand to help me into the car.
Thinking about the slab of lasagna waiting for me in my fridge, I smile and tell him...
"Italian. I'm definitely in the mood for some good pasta." I confirm as I take his hand and slip into his vehicle.
"Then we definitely have to go Balsamico, I'm a huge fan of their Arancini di Riso," He articulates in what sounds like perfect Italian to my ears. He then closes my door and hops into the driver seat.
"Balsamico? That fancy restaurant that has a two month waiting list?" I inquire with raised eyebrows. Juliet and I have always wanted to eat there, but neither of us were ever fastidious enough to make the reservation.
"I'm only aware of that one, yes." He answers with an amused smile.
"But with that crazy long waiting list, how are we going to get a table?" I ask him.
"Well, I know the owner... and he owes me a favour or two. We'll get a table." He assured me with that half smile. He then puts his Ray Ban sunglasses on and then takes a quick glance at the rear view mirror. Finally he turns the ignition on and drives his car out of the parking space in front my cafe.
"Even so, we can't go there! I'm not appropriately dressed to dine at a place like that if you hadn't noticed!" I exclaim as I cross my arms self-consciously over my simple outfit. I was wearing plain black slacks with a simple gray button down blouse.
"I hadn't noticed that... Besides, I think you look just fine," He responded and then he took a quick moment to leer at me from under his sunglasses. I can feel his gaze on me from head to toe for one heated moment before he returns his gaze back to the road ahead of us.
"Well, you need to pick another restaurant or you can take me home to change into another outfit. I'll leave the decision up to you," I firmly negotiate, recrossing my arms.
"There's a bossy lady under that sweet exterior of yours, isn't there?" Dominic says with a small laugh.
"As business owner, it's a skill I had to pick up. Otherwise my employees would be walking all over me," I retort with a smirk. I recall my first month at my own cafe and how tough it was for me to be nice all the time. It took me a couple more weeks to realize that I just had to say no and stay firm on most decisions. I'd go out business if I didn't.
"Oh, I definitely concur with you there," Dominic agreed with a nod and then he pulls over into a side road. "So, why don't you give me your address because I'm in mood for Balsamico tonight."
I give him my address and he types the coordinates into his dashboard GPS. In five short minutes, we arrive in front of my house.
"Did you go to race car driving school or something?" I joke as I open the door. I was slightly dizzy from the fast drive.
"No, not me. But my secretary did and maybe she gave me a few pointers," Dominic replied with a chuckle.
"Did you want wait for me inside?" I invited, gesturing toward the house I share with my sister.
"Wow, Rose. I didn't think you'd invite me to your house so soon," Dominic teased with a crooked smile. "And I didn't even buy you dinner yet."
"Ok there Dominic. It's just an invite to sit in my living room while I get changed," I parlayed back as I raise an eyebrow at him. "Not an invitation to my bedroom."
"Thank you for pointing out the difference then. I'll take you up on your kind offer." He replied as he opened the driver side door, pulling out a black leather briefcase. "You don't mind if I bring some work materials with me, do you?"
"Of course not. I hope that you make yourself comfortable." I tell him as I lead him into the house. He follows me to the living room and I bring him toward the couch.
"Would you like a drink while you wait?" I offered as I dump my purse onto the kitchen counter that's adjacent to the living area.
"The espresso has just kicked in, so I should be fine for the next hour at least," he says as he opens up his briefcase and pulls out some files.
"Ok, I should be ready in the next 15 to 20 minutes." I tell him, heading towards the stairs.
"That should be enough time for me to re-read some of these contracts," he replies, waving me away with his half smile.
I run up the stairs and hurry to my room. I already know which outfit I want to wear and I rush to my closet. And there it drapes on a padded hanger, the brand new summer dress I had purchased a couple weeks ago. It was light and airy cream coloured dress with lovely green and gold flower patterns embellished on it. I hadn't worn the garment yet, since I was waiting for a special occasion. Dinner with a handsome and mysterious stranger, what better occasion was there than that?
I quickly tear off my cafe uniform and throw it on heap on the floor. I pick up the dress and allow the silky material to slither down my body. For a loose dress, it still fits in all the right places. It is slightly snug around my bust which reveals some slight cleavage. It also cinches in at my waist and it hugs my hips before the skirt flares out in soft pleated waves. I pull on white cardigan just in case it gets cold later. Then I enter my powder room and fish around my cabinet drawer for some makeup. I apply a quick coat of mascara, then swipe on some cranberry coloured lip gloss and then administer a light dusting of powder on my cheeks and nose. Finally, I grab a forest green choker out my jewelry box and fasten it around my neck. I really don't have time to fix my hair and leave it alone in its low ponytail. I take a final glance in the washroom vanity and I decide that it's good enough for Balsamico.
Before I descend the stairs, I take a peek into Juliet's room. I already know that she's not there since she's staying over at her best friend's house tonight. She said she needed a break from the room she used to share with Charles. I go into her closet and steal a pair of nude coloured strappy heels and faux leather clutch purse. I slip on the high heels and finally feel like my ensemble is complete.
I enter to living room and find that Dominic has turned the couch and coffee table into his own little home office. He has a silver Mont Blanc pen tucked behind an ear, and his eyebrows are knit tightly together while he studies a file folder that he placed on the table. His mouth is in severe frown so it appears that he does not like what he's reading.
"Hard at work, I see," I tease as I step in front of him on the other side of the coffee table.
He looks up at me and I can see his jaw drop slightly. He smiles at me and I can see that dimple of his again.
"You look beautiful," He responds, his gaze intense. There's a tension in the air between us, like earlier today. When our eyes met for the first time at the coffee shop.
"Well you must already know that you don't look so bad yourself," I admit as a stubborn blush creeps up my neck and cheeks.
"You're cute when you blush," Dominic states as he gets up from the sofa. "So, how about we finally get some dinner?"
"Sounds good to me," I reply with a wry grin as I pat my belly indicating how hungry I am. "I'm absolutely famished."
"Me too..." He says in a gruff voice. The look in his eyes implies that it's not for food.