Chapter 36
W hen the last meeting of my day comes to an end, my thoughts immediately turn to Dani. I feel a pang of guilt for not being available when she needed me, especially after the uncomfortable situation with Wendy I’m now learning about.
“I’m sorry about today,” I apologize as Dani answers my call. “It’s unacceptable, and I’m frustrated Allison hadn’t informed me about Wendy’s visit until now.”
“I survived,” she replies with a hint of sass.
“I should fire Allison. This is not okay. She should have let me know.”
“No!” Dani quickly interjects. “Allison was great.” Her empathy, even toward someone she barely knew, is one of the many qualities I admire about her. “It was a little blip, and I’m embarrassed and mad at myself that I called your ex a bitch.”
I smirk, pleased with Dani but don’t want to let it show. “Do you still want to go out tonight?” I ask, confirming.
“Of course! I’m excited. Allison sent me to meet Nikola, and we picked out an outfit for tonight.
” Dani pauses. “It was, like, five thousand dollars. I hope that’s okay.
” She begins rambling, “Nikola insisted it would be. I’ve never spent that much money on a dress or shoes in my life. I feel weird.”
“Don’t.” I chuckle, finding it cute that she’s so nervous about the money.
“Okay, good because she also sent over a glam team to your house. They’re currently working on my hair and makeup.”
Nikola is the best. I breathe in relief, happy the moment with Wendy didn’t derail our Chicago visit. It was smart of Allison to have Dani and Nikola get together to lighten the mood.
“You said being in Chicago was going to be experiencing your real life.” She giggles, almost nervously. “Your real life so far is insane. I’m, like, an overwhelmed alien right now.” I hear excitement and apprehension in her voice.
“I can’t wait to see you,” I reassure her.
“Wow.” Dani stands taller than usual in the kitchen, enjoying a glass of wine. She’s always beautiful, but right now, with her styled hair and makeup, she looks the part. The Amal to George Clooney. Victoria to David Beckham. She belongs in this world.
Examining the long-sleeve merlot-colored dress that hugs every inch of her, my eyes are locked on the small cutout right under her chest.
“You look stunning.” The dress is perfect, and the black strappy heels give me some ideas for later. Dani motions toward an empty glass, and I shake my head. “Let’s go.”
As we ride in a black, chauffeured Town Car to One, which is only a few blocks from my place, I feel compelled to revisit the Wendy incident. “I’m sorry about Wendy showing up at the house today. Had I known, I would have had the attorneys all over it.”
A small, understanding smile grows on her face.
“Wendy won’t be stopping by ever again.” I squeeze her hand. “That will hopefully be the first and last time you ever see her.”
“It’s only fair, I suppose. You had your moment with Sorin, and now this. I guess we’re even.”
Jest. I’m learning that Dani’s reaction to uncomfortable situations is to make them light.
“How many other ex-encounters will there be?” I joke.
“That’s all on my end.”
“Yeah right. You have to have a long line of past boyfriends.” She shakes her head. Interesting. Is Sorin her only ex-boyfriend? “Let’s agree to leave ex-encounters in the past, shall we?”
“Deal.” Her eyes sparkle, excited for what’s to come and living in this moment with me. “But what about Nikola?” she asks after a brief pause.
“Nikola?”
“Yeah, have you two ever … you know, dated?” Her curiosity is too cute.
“She’s not my type,” I say, staring into Dani’s eyes and squeezing her knee.
“How is a stunning Eastern European model not your type?”
“Too … spidery for my taste. I’ve always been drawn to someone more …
‘fun size,’” I flirt, emphasizing the last words by raking my eyes over her.
Cupping her face with my hand, I pull her in for a kiss.
“I hope you know that you are more to me than your perfect little body,” I whisper, pulling away.
She playfully squints, and I love the sass.
As we arrive at One, the atmosphere is buzzing with a subtle, refined energy. The restaurant, reminiscent of Alinea with its avant-garde approach and celebrity chef, promised an unforgettable evening.
I’m captivated by Dani. She has this poised elegance about her tonight. You’d never know dining at a place like this was a new experience for her. She tries everything, even the exotic stuff, and each course of the tasting menu is more surprising and delightful than the last.
“I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that you have a stylist,” Dani says after a bite.
“Personal shopper, stylist, whatever you want to call it. I don’t have time or desire to go to a store and shop.” Dani nods, considering my point of view. “Nikola has all my measurements and brings clothes to me, wherever I am. It’s a great convenience. I will always pay for convenience.”
I take a sip of my whiskey, admiring how incredible Dani looks tonight. “Use her for anything we’re doing together. I don’t want you to be stressed about what to wear. And don’t worry about the money.”
“I don’t want to take advantage,” she says softly.
“I know you won’t. I trust you.” Grabbing for her hand, I push down the urge to ask her to be my girlfriend. We’ve only known each other for a short time. It’s too soon.
Dani’s reaction to the next course, a dish that is literally melting before our eyes, is genuine and unguarded. She looks like a kid on Christmas morning. It’s too cute. I smile, seeing her appreciation for the culinary artistry and experience. Her enjoyment is only amplifying my own.
“I have to take your picture,” I say, seeing the smile on her face after examining the melted dish. She rolls her eyes, then smiles for the photo. Dani is so beautiful, so full of life.
I feel out of body, like I’m looking at the two of us as another guest in the restaurant, assessing the situation and Dani. She isn’t jaded by these experiences or the society and social hierarchy of it all. Rather, she’s living in the moment, enjoying every second of this dinner. It’s refreshing.
As we progress through the tasting menu, each course more innovative than the last, I’m curious about more than Dani’s culinary preferences.
“When you move back to the city,” I start, swirling this course’s paired wine in my glass, “what neighborhood do you want to live in?”
“Well, anywhere I can afford, really. But I’ve always wanted to live in River North. It has a nice vibe, and it’s close to everything.”
“River North. That’s a great area. Our office is there. We would be nice and close if you lived there.” The thought of having her nearby, being able to meet up for impromptu lunches or after-work drinks, is appealing.
“That would be convenient, wouldn’t it?” She giggles. “Maybe I could even walk to your office and surprise you sometimes,” she says, the idea seeming to amuse her.
Dani being a regular part of my daily life in the city. The thought brings a smile to my face. Our relationship, though moving quickly, is evolving into something much more than two people who are sleeping together.
“Are you nervous about your meetings tomorrow?” I ask.
“Nervous? No!” She giggles. “I’m excited. All the companies seem interesting.”
“Confidence. It’s something I find very sexy about you.”
She smiles, and I sense she’s holding back a sassy comeback.
As the chef comes to our table, introducing himself and discussing the inspirations behind his dishes, I take in Dani’s enthusiasm and big smile while she talks with him. I love it. I like making her happy.
“You know, everything’s moving so fast between us,” I say after he leaves, reaching for her hand. “But it feels right.”
“I was thinking the same,” she says, squeezing my hand.
“Would you say we’re dating now?” I ask when the check hits the table.
She giggles. “I would say we’re dating now.”
Pleased, I lean over to kiss her. Leaving One, I hold her hand a little tighter, not wanting the night to end. As we step out into the cool night air, I know this is the beginning of many more nights out in Chicago.