Chapter 36
NOLAN
36
Ifeel like the ultimate VIP as I stride proudly into Matilda’s, Starlight Falls’s best seafood dining establishment, with Inez on my arm.
Tonight, I’m wearing a well-ironed white button-down that would make my grandmother proud. Inez is stunning as always in a long emerald dress and her caramel hair swept into some sort of fancy ponytail. As we make our way through the restaurant, every eye here is pulled to her presence like a magnet.
I was able to squeeze in reservations last minute, one of the perks of living in a small town.
But I do have to slip the young server a twenty dollar bill to convince him to take us to a table near the window that overlooks the pond and the rolling hills in the distance. It’s definitely not Hollywood, but it’s the best view around here.
We’re seated at a small window table with starched white tablecloths, gleaming silverware, and a single lit candle between us. I watch Inez as she takes it all in.
I know this isn’t one of those fancy places out in L.A. where the meals start at three hundred bucks per plate, but with the way Inez’s eyes are sparkling, I think I’ve impressed her.
We face each other across the dimly-lit table, and the rest of the restaurant sort of fades away.
“A step up from the bar, huh?” I ask, after the waiter fills our fancy glasses with water and takes our food order.
Inez laughs as she shakes her head. “This place is cute but the bar is a vibe all on its own. Speaking of which, how do you think they’re doing tonight without us?”
I shrug. “Ronan and Nicky volunteered to keep an eye on the staff. So whatever they’re up to, I’m just hoping the police don’t have to get involved.” For the record, I’m only half-kidding.
“Well, then we should probably keep an ear on the police scanner,” she jokes. “But seriously, did Suzy call into work again tonight?”
“She did. She claimed to have ‘car trouble’ this time.” I find myself frowning and making air-quotes. I’m getting sick and tired of Suzy’s shit. “What do you think I should do about her?” I ask Inez. I value her thoughts. It feels good to have someone else in my life who can help me make these decisions.
She hesitates. “I’m not the most objective person when it comes to Suzy. You know we’ve had our issues all along. And I want to be fair about—”
I cut her off. “Inez—what do you think I should do?”
Inez looks out the window, considering her words carefully. “If it was just about learning and improving at work, I’d say we could handle it through more training and development. But since we can’t even get her to show up half the time, I don’t know that there’s much hope.”
I nod, leaning back in my seat when the server arrives with our plates. “Good point. I agree. I’ll start looking for a replacement.”
“I can do that,” she offers. “Just to help get some stuff off your plate.”
I’m shaking my head. “No way. You already do too much. With Stella at home from school these days, sometimes it feels like you’re practically running the bar on your own.”
“It’s no big deal,” she insists.
This woman is too good to be true. “You sure you’re not trying to steal my job?”
Inez sends me a wink that goes straight to my groin. “Maybe I am. Whatcha going to do about it?”
I chuckle. “I’m going to let you. You’re goddamn sexy when you think you’re bossing me around.”
We eat and we flirt. All the while, I keep worrying when the other shoe will drop. Because all this is too good to be true.
Single dads don’t get the superstars.
Or do they?
At some point during dinner, Inez reaches her hand forward, in an attempt to hold mine. But in doing so, she manages to knock over her water glass.
Water splashes all over the pristine table cloth. My arm shoots out to help her, but somehow I manage to spill my own glass, too. Now our table and our mostly empty dishes are a waterlogged mess.
We sit back, laughing at our predicament, while nearby well-dressed couples shoot ugly looks in our direction. Water is slowly drip, drip, dripping to the floor when the waiter comes by to drop off our check.
“Welp. I’m starting to think the bar is more our speed,” Inez says, still laughing.
“Better watch it. Next time, I’ll shut down the place and hold our date there instead,” I threaten.
“That actually sounds pretty romantic, Boss Man.” She gives me a sly shrug. “Plus, you won’t hear me complaining about the bar sex.”
Aaand that’s my cue to get this woman home.
I rise from the table with her hand in mine. “Come on, Stargirl. Let’s get out of here. I’m ready to spread you out in my bed and eat my dessert.”