Chapter Twenty Dinner For Two #2
"Would you like a few minutes to look over the menu, or would you like to start with appetizers?
"Camille looked across the table at Simone.
The server noticed and smiled."What?""You pick.
""Cam.""I'm serious."Simone shook her head.
"You haven't even looked at the menu.""You're the chef.
""That's your reasoning?""Yes."The answer came so quickly that Simone laughed.
The server smiled politely, waiting. Simone opened the menu.
"Okay, let's see."A few moments passed as she scanned the options.Then she nodded.
"Three appetizers."Camille smiled."See? This is why I let you choose.
"Simone rolled her eyes. Mostly because Camille wasn't wrong.
She looked up at the server."We'll start with the burrata, the truffle arancini, and the seared scallops.
"Camille raised an eyebrow. "That sounds expensive.
"Simone smiled."It also sounds good."The server laughed softly.
"Excellent choices."After noting the order, he collected their menus.
"I'll bring your wine right out."The moment he walked away, Camille reached for a breadstick.
Simone watched. Already smiling."What?" Camille asked.
"Nothing.""That's the same look you gave me when I ordered dessert this afternoon.
"Camille pointed the breadstick at her."I regret nothing.
"That got another laugh from Simone. And for a little while, they simply enjoyed being there.
Together.A few minutes later, the server returned carrying two glasses of wine.
He carefully placed them on the table."There we are.
""Thank you," Simone said."Your appetizers should be out shortly.
"With a smile, he stepped away. Camille lifted her glass.
Simone did the same. They gently tapped them together.Then they each took a sip.
Camille sat her glass down first. Then Simone spoke, "Can I ask you something?
" "Always." Camille nodded.Then she took a breath.
"How do you want to do this?"Camille tilted her head slightly.
"This?"Simone nodded."Us.""I mean..."Simone glanced down for a second before continuing.
"I don't want to make assumptions."Camille listened quietly.
"I don't want to rush you."Another pause.
"I've had a really long time to think about how I feel.
"That earned a small laugh from Camille.
"Just a little?" Camille said."A little.
"Simone smiled. Then continued."But this is all new for you.
"The honesty in her voice got Camille's attention. "So tell me.""What feels comfortable?"
"What do you need from me?" Camille sat back in her chair. Really thinking about what Simone just said. Because the truth was, she didn’t expect Simone to ask that.
Most people would have been focused on what they wanted.
But Simone had always been different.Finally, Camille smiled.
"I think,"She paused searching for the right words.
"I think I want to see where this goes."The answer was simple.
But it made Simone's heart skip a beat.Camille smiled again.
"No, I want to see where this goes."For a second, Simone forgot about the wine.
All she could focus on was the woman sitting across from her.And the fact that they were both looking in the same direction.
"Okay." Simone laughed softly. Then she shook her head.
"Not that I'm complaining."Camille laughed.
"But?""But, "Simone looked at her. Still smiling.
"I wasn't expecting this."Camille tilted her head.
"This?""You being this okay."Simone leaned back in her chair.
"I mean, I hoped."A nervous laugh escaped her.
"But honestly?"She shook her head."I wasn't expecting you to still be sitting here.
"Then she smiled."Well."She took a sip of wine.
"There's a lot of terrible decisions I could make.
"Simone laughed."Okay.""But dating you isn't anywhere on that list."Simone's smile somehow got even bigger.
Which Camille found entirely adorable. Then she sat her glass down.
"Actually,"Simone raised an eyebrow."What?
"Camille smiled."I have a confession too.
"Simone sat up straighter."Oh?"Camille laughed.
"Relax.""I'm trying." "No, you're not."They both laughed.
Then Camille looked at her."Yesterday.""The painting class?
"Simone nodded."You mentioned that I was always nice to you.
""Yeah."Camille smiled."Have you ever wondered why?
"Simone tilted her head slightly."Because you’re nice?
""Kind of."Simone blinked. Camille smiled into her wine glass.Then casually said, "I thought you were cute.
"Camille took another sip."I may have had a small crush on you."Camille looked up. Simone didn’t mov. Didn’t say a word.
For a moment, Camille wondered if she had broken her.
"Simone?"She was still trying to process what she'd just heard.
Twenty-three years of believing the answer had always been no.And now this.
Poor Simone looked completely stunned. Finally, Simone blinked.
Simone was still trying to catch up. And failing miserably.