Chapter Sixteen
Allison
The fried zucchini is crispy and delicious. I don’t know what they put in this garlic sauce but I’m ready to take some home and lick it off Oliver.
As I’ve watched him talk, all the other diners have faded away and I am hanging on his every word. He has a casual ease about himself. I enjoy being with him and we’ve had great conversations that flow as if they were mini stories. His mouth also comes to a natural smile when he isn’t talking, and it makes you want to admit all your faults knowing that he’ll still love you in spite of them all. Almost.
“So, Oliver,” I start, twirling my first bite of fettuccine around my fork.
“Yes?” His brows perk up in anticipation of my question.
“This is truly the best fettuccine you’ve ever had? Like this is about to knock my socks off?”
“Are you wearing socks?” He quickly looks down at my feet.
I laugh. “It’s a figure of speech. I’m sure you’ve heard of that before, being a writer and all?” I wink.
“Oh, yes, yes, I think I have. And to answer your question, you’re lucky you aren’t wearing any socks because they would definitely be knocked off.”
“Okay, here goes.” I take a bite of the twirled pasta and my taste buds explode. “Oh my gosh, that’s practically orgasmic,” I admit covering my mouth while talking around a mouthful of noodles.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard food described that way. I may have to use that in my next book.”
“This is seriously the best thing I’ve had in my whole life. I may never eat anywhere else again,” I say, pointing to my plate with my fork.
“I’m glad you like it.” He grins.
“I’ll try not to moan too loud over here.” I cover my mouth with my hand.
“Now I know the way to your heart,” he says as I remove my hand.
“Yep. I’m not ashamed to admit this one. You can come over any time if you bring this with you.”
He whips out an imaginary notepad and writes a note.
“Noted.” He makes a gesture like he just dotted an I.
“What else should I know? Tell me a random fact about yourself.” I take a few more bites of the pasta while he thinks.
“I have one I think you’d like.”
“Tell me.” I put my fork down and rest my head on my hand while staring him directly in the eyes waiting with bated breath.
“I’m a trained masseuse.”
“No way.” I tap the table in disbelief. “You’re going to have to give me the background on that one.” I lean back and continue eating.
“I had decided that my victim would be killed during their massage so I wanted to get a feel for how it would be in the room. I joined a class and then shadowed at a spa for a while.”
“I can’t believe you did all that in the name of research. Did you ever give anyone a massage?” I ask, captivated.
“I had a few people, who regularly volunteer at the massage school, agree to let me work on them.”
My mouth falls open and I’m glad I didn’t have a mouth full of fettuccini at the moment.
“Some of the people were disappointed I wasn’t going to actually get certified,” he continues.
I wipe my mouth and lean in. “I’d be very interested in feeling those fingers on me some time,” I flirt.
He wiggles his fingers.
“Oh, you would, huh? That’s very good to know.” He winks.
I’m truly having the best time with him. He’s funny, sarcastic, and flirty. I’m secretly thanking Daveed for showing, ha showing, me his true colors so I could focus solely on Oliver.
“Now it’s your turn. What’s your random fact?”
“You remember how I said I do Tai Chi? Well, I’m actually a second-degree black belt in taijutsu.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I use Tai Chi to sound less scary to people.” I shake my head and smile as he lets the fact sink in.
“Wow, I guess I don’t have to worry about you when I’m not around.”
“Now that we’ve gotten to know each other a little better, I will admit that while you don’t have to worry about me, it’s nice to know you want to. It’s always nice to know someone will be wanting to know you got home okay. Usually that someone is Morgan for me.”
“When you become my official girlfriend, I won’t even have to think about it, I will always naturally worry about you.”
“When?”
“I think you and I both know it’s when not if.”
I sit back in my chair as the waiter clears our plates and smile at Oliver. I like his confidence. Once we’re alone again I sit forward, reach for his hand, and intertwine our fingers.
“I do.” I smile and he smiles in return as we stare into each other’s eyes. The trance is broken when we’re offered dessert menus.
“I’m too stuffed. Can we take a raincheck on dessert?” I ask.
“Sure. Just the check please,” he says to the waiter and then looks back at me.
“Thank you for a fabulous meal.”
“You’re welcome. You sure you don’t want the leftovers?” I glare at him, and he laughs.
“You mentioned that we would, in fact, be dating. I’m going to assume this was date number one, so how about I cook dinner for you and we watch Legally Blonde as date number two?” I ask.
“I would say that sounds like a good idea. Even if I don’t like the movie, I’ll be with you, so it won’t be all bad.”
“Oh, it’s not an if you will like it, you will. It’s hilarious. You just have to not take it seriously.”
“Gotcha. Can’t wait. When should I come over?” he asks.
“How about Friday?”
“It’s a plan.”
Oliver pays the bill and we hail a cab back to my place where he walks me to my door. I pause and jingle my keys, wondering if the trick I learned while watching Hitch, actually works. When I look up, Oliver is standing close and looking down at me. And…I’m pretty sure he’s coming in his ninety percent.
“May I?” he whispers.
I don’t answer. I just lean the last ten percent and place my lips on his. He cradles my face in his hands as he gently kisses me. When his tongue teases my lips, I part them and sigh, letting him in. Our kiss goes from sweet to intense in point five seconds. I run my hands through his hair at the nape of his neck while he moves his hands to hold the back of my head. My head spins and my nerves buzz with electricity. Just as I’m about to invite him in, he breaks our kiss, gives me a hug, and bids me goodnight.
I watch him walk down the stairs before I float into my apartment on a love cloud.