She wasn't sure how long they sat at the small, intimate table; staring at each other as though they were a couple of lovesick teenagers. It was crazy. She wasn't lovesick and she certainly…
Her breath caught in her throat and suddenly she could barely breathe. She wasn't even sure exactly where she was until she felt Jimmy softly squeeze her hand, bringing her back to the present. The gesture made her gasp in surprise and she found that she couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"You're deep in thought." Jimmy said quietly. "What are you thinking about?"
"You." She replied, stunned by the sound of her voice. Had she really said-
He smiled warmly and rubbed his thumb across her skin, sending soft vibrations through her body. "Annie, I can't tell you how touched I am to hear you say that. And it's only fitting because… I've thought about you constantly since the moment I first laid eyes on you. Perhaps even longer."
"Jimmy…"
"It's true, Annie. You're the woman I love. I've loved you for as long as I ca remember."
"But we just met a few-."
"I know, but do you believe in fate?"
She said nothing… having no idea what to say. And instead forced a smile. But inside her stomach was swirling with nerves. She'd never experienced this much nervousness with a man before even in moments of deepest intimacy. "Jimmy, I-."
"Your wine, Mr. Callahan."
"Thank you Remo." Jimmy said taking the wine bottle from him. "Your service thus far has been outstanding!"
Amazingly Remo's face flushed at the compliment. "Well, thank you, Mr. Callahan. I hope this wine is to your satisfaction."
Jimmy popped the cork and sniffed it before letting Remo pour him a taste of the wine. Like one of those wine experts she'd seen on the PBS cooking shows, Annie watched as Jimmy sniffed the glass and then swirled the liquid around in it, finally taking a sip. "Excellent!"
Remo smiled and poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Annie. "I'll be back momentarily with your meals." He said, bowing as though Annie and Jimmy were royalty.
The sight made Annie laugh. "That Remo… always such a kidder!"'
But Jimmy wasn't amused by her attempt at humor. "Annie, I'm sorry. I had no idea that you'd been here before."
"No, it's okay, Jimmy. It's fine. I-I didn't mean to freak out. And I'm sorry about…. Well… I'm sorry."
His hand squeezed hers and he smiled. "Stop being sorry. The fault is mine."
"But Jimmy-."
He held up his wine glass, indicating for her to do the same. "I propose a toast!"
"Oh… all right."
"To the most beautiful woman in New York City, someone whom I will treasure for as long as I live. I love you, Annie."
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. What could she possibly say? She almost melted with relief when Remo appeared with two ceramic boat shaped dishes. "Here we are …. The specialty of the house, Alfredo Lasagna! Or as I like to call it-."
Annie held up her hand, preventing him from saying anything more. "It's okay, Remo. We get it!"
He nodded, most likely wondering why she was acting so strange. And frankly even she didn't understand her strange behavior. But luckily he didn't question her further. Hungrily she dug into the layers of cheese, Alfredo sauce and flat pasta noodles releasing a puff of steam and the most heavenly aroma imaginable. The scent made her mouth water and she eagerly brought the forkful of Alfredo Lasagna to her mouth. But to her stunned amazement, Jimmy's hand gently pushed her fork away.
"Jimmy, what are you doing?"
"Well…. That dish is hot!" he explained.
She rolled her eyes, once again wondering what she was doing on a date with this… maniac. "Of course it's hot, but what's the big idea-."
Jimmy moved closer and took her hand in both of his bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, Annie. It's just that… I panicked. I didn't want you to burn yourself…those beautiful lips... I-."
Annie's heart leapt in her chest and she swallowed hard, fighting the strange urge to cry.
Jimmy was delusional, untalented, insane, and most of all, not her type…. So why did he have to be so completely wonderful?