21. A Date to Remember
A Date to Remember
LUKE
I t was here.
Date night.
Their first date night.
And if he was lucky, this was going to be the first of many dates that he and Matteo had. Things had been going well. Working around the house meant he was a lot less stressed about paying the bills and had more time on his hands for both school and Matteo.
Since that initial hangout at his house where they’d shared their first kiss, they’d begun meeting up for quick midday snacks most days between classes, and Matteo usually popped up before Luke’s first class each morning to wish him a good day.
And just maybe they’d sneak kisses in the stacks when one of them was studying in the library.
But things felt like they could just be close friends with some benefits. He talked to and saw Harper almost as much as he saw Matteo. Of course, he did cuddle Harper a hell of a lot less. He’d also never kissed Harper.
Still, the important thing was that they were going on an official date that would launch them—hopefully—into a full-blown, actual relationship.
Luke couldn’t be happier about it. He had a crush on someone he’d thought was unattainable and so out of his league.
Not only had Matteo turned out to be as kind and funny as he was hot, but he was attracted to Luke as well.
Part of Luke still thought this was an elaborate prank.
Any moment now, Matteo would laugh and shout “Gotcha!” and prove that he’d never cared for Luke at all.
Yet, Luke knew that couldn’t be possible. Matteo’s kindness had never wavered once. Plus, he’d survived Harper’s insane and threatening shovel talk. If anyone could scare him away, it would be Harper and her promise of dead bodies buried in places that would never be found.
After changing his clothes three times, Luke ran out the door and made it to the restaurant just at six o’clock for their reservation. Ravens replaced the butterflies in his stomach when he saw Matteo wasn’t there yet.
It didn’t help that as he peeked in the front window, the restaurant was empty. At six in the evening. On a Saturday.
Were they closed? They couldn’t be closed!
Panic made his heart race. It was impossible for them to be closed. He’d called four days ago to get a reservation. They wouldn’t have put his name down in the system if the business wouldn’t be open.
As he stepped up to the door, he inspected it for signs announcing an outbreak of the Spanish flu or Ebola that forced the restaurant to close, but nothing.
As he stepped inside, the hostess jerked her head up, relief instantly visible on her face.
“Welcome! Welcome! Please come on!” she greeted with over-the-top enthusiasm.
“H-hi,” Luke stammered, his eyes straying from the dark-haired young woman to the restaurant filled with empty tables. The servers stood in the back chatting with some of the kitchen staff, looking a mix of panicked and bored. “ Um …you’re…open, right?”
“Yes, yes. We’re open and happy to serve you. Will it be only you dining or maybe you’re meeting a bigger party?”
Luke’s heart squeezed at the hopeful note in her voice. “I’m meeting someone. My date. He should be here soon.”
The door whooshed open as he finished speaking, and Matteo rushed in, windblown and somewhat out of breath. “I’m here!” he wheezed. “I’m—whoa…” His eyes caught on the empty restaurant.
“Wonderful,” the hostess continued, seeming to ignore their wide-eyed gazes as she snatched up a pair of black leather-bound menus.
“If you’ll follow me, we can offer you…any table you wish.
” She paused for a minute, looking around.
“My personal favorite is the table by the window. You’re away from any kind of draft from the front door, and you get a splendid view of the street. ”
Luke bit the inside of his cheek. That spot also gave the illusion of lots of people in the restaurant. Not that Luke could blame her. He glanced at Matteo, who eagerly nodded.
“Sounds great to me,” Matteo agreed.
The hostess left them at a cozy table covered with a heavy white linen tablecloth and shining water glasses.
She’d barely finished wishing them a good meal while the server approached to provide water, a basket of fresh bread and soft butter, and a list of the evening’s specials.
It might be eerie to be the only diners in a restaurant, but it guaranteed them fast service.
“Have you been here before?” Luke whispered the moment they were left alone, his mouth blocked by the open menu so the staff couldn’t read his lips.
“Yes!” Matteo replied in a harsh whisper. “My parents treated me to dinner here at the start of the semester. The food is excellent. There should be an hour’s wait for a table right now. This is so weird.”
Luke regarded the adorable Italian restaurant with its watercolors of Tuscan hills and vineyards next to the exposed red brick walls.
There was a rich scent of oregano and cheese hanging in the air.
The place looked clean and elegant. No, the place looked fucking expensive, but he wasn’t worried about that.
He’d saved up more than enough to pay for the somewhat extravagant date with Matteo.
It was just that the restaurant was suspiciously quiet, but there was no overt sign of the demons or demonic magic, so he let his worries slip away.
He chitchatted with Matteo as he reviewed the menu.
They debated their preferences and whether to order something to share.
By the time the server returned to take their order, a few more people had trickled into the restaurant, allowing Luke to relax.
While it was nice to know they had the attention of their server, it was also unnerving to know that they had his full and undivided attention.
Unfortunately, things didn’t stay quiet.
In the center of every table was a small candle flickering in a hurricane glass, adding a little more romance and ambiance to the restaurant.
Luke loved it. Anything to make this moment with Matteo a bit more special.
Except he noticed that the new customers were remarking on their candles suddenly going out.
Luke didn’t pay any attention until all three tables that were occupied in the restaurant went out.
“Check that out,” Matteo whispered. He reached across the table and covered Luke’s hand with his own, squeezing his fingers. It took Luke an extra second to tear his eyes away from where their hands were entwined to see that the candles at all the other tables were flickering out.
All but theirs.
They stared at their candle, holding their breath, waiting for the flame to poof out. But it never did.
“Okay. That’s weird,” Matteo murmured.
“Yeah, really weird.”
He watched as the hostess swept through the room with a lighter with a long nozzle made especially for lighting candles. She hastened through the restaurant, lighting each of the candles. She paused at their table, a puzzled expression on her face.
“Did you relight yours?”
Matteo shook his head. “It never went out.”
“Weird.” She smiled brightly at them and tilted her head. “Is it a full moon?”
“I don’t think so,” Luke replied.
“Maybe Mercury is in retrograde,” Matteo joked.
She giggled. “Maybe so.”
Yet, before she could return to the hostess stand, the candles flickered out again. This time it was faster, as if an invisible hand swept through the room, snuffing them with magic. And still, their candle was the only one that remained lit.
The hostess attempted to light the candles a second time, but as she turned her back, they all went out at the same time. Except for theirs.
“Okay. Now it’s officially creepy,” Matteo murmured.
Luke frowned. “Maybe there’s a draft, and we’re not affected because of where we’re sitting.”
Matteo shot him a skeptical look. Thankfully, their Caprese salad appetizer arrived. It was delicious with fresh basil, soft mozzarella, perfectly ripe Roma tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. As they ate, they chatted about classes and how they were anticipating the holiday break.
“Are you planning to go home for the break?” Luke inquired and then wanted to kick himself. Of course, he was going home for the holidays. Everyone left town during the break.
“I am for winter break, but I’m staying here through Thanksgiving.
My parents are going to visit my older sister and her family.
I’ve begged off, telling them I need to stay and catch up on my studies.
” While his words were serious, Matteo matched them with a wicked wink and smirk. “What about you? Are you leaving town?”
“No, I’m not super close with my family, and it’s too expensive to make the trip.” In fact, he’d already planned for Chinese takeout and a horror-movie marathon with the demons for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Would you be interested in doing our own Thanksgiving? Would your landlord mind if we borrowed the kitchen? Unless they’re planning a big holiday party.”
“Of course! I’m sure they’re not. They’d be happy to let us use the kitchen,” Luke answered. He could not imagine demons celebrating Thanksgiving. And Christmas? He shuddered at the thought. Maybe he should find a way to get out of town for Christmas.
“I’ll warn you. I’m not much of a cook,” Matteo murmured.
Luke shrugged. “Me neither. Maybe we could get a precooked turkey at the store. That’s the hardest part, right?”
They lost themselves for several minutes in Thanksgiving dinner planning until the server returned with their main course.
He’d scarcely set the plates down when a strange, icy wind swept through almost the entire restaurant.
Everywhere, tablecloths fluttered and customers gasped, grabbing for sweaters and coats to bundle up.
Yet, the strange wind didn’t touch them.
Luke and Matteo remained toasty warm in their corner by the front window.
At least two tables called for their checks, asking to have their food put in to-go containers rather than staying to eat.