Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Geraldine
I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and smoothed my hair into a loose braid.
The late afternoon light filtered through the window and bounced off the tiles.
My apartment smelled like vanilla from a candle I’d lit earlier, and I pulled on a light sweater over my jeans, the sleeves soft against my skin.
I heard Damian’s boots on the stairs, a steady thump, and then a knock at the door.
“Coming,” I called and grabbed my purse from the counter and swung the door open to find him standing there, his hat in one hand and a clean flannel tucked into his jeans.
He looked good, and I grinned and stepped aside to let him in.
“Hey,” he said and rubbed his neck, his eyes flicked over me quickly before they settled on my face. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” I said, and slung my purse over my shoulder and locked the door behind us. “Where are we going?”
“I found a place,” he said, and started down the stairs. His hand brushed mine as I followed. “It’s a little spot by the river with good food and quiet.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said and smiled and fell into step beside him as we hit the street. His truck was parked out front, and he opened the passenger door for me, his hand steady as I climbed in. “Such a gentleman,” I teased and settled into the seat, the leather cool under my legs.
“Don’t expect it every time,” he said and smirked and shut the door before he circled to the driver’s side. He slid in and started the engine, the rumble low and steady, and we pulled out, the city streets buzzing softly around us.
“So,” I said and leaned back, and glanced at him as he drove. “Are you a city guy now picking fancy dinner spots?”
“Hardly,” he said and laughed low, and kept his eyes on the road. “I just asked around and wanted something nice for you.”
“Sweet talker,” I said and nudged his arm with mine and grinned wider. “You’re doing well so far.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said and shot me a look, his smirk softened. “You’re not hard to please.”
“Keep thinking that,” I said and laughed and rested my arm on the window as the buildings gave way to quieter streets, the river glinted ahead.
He parked near a small brick building with string lights draped over a patio, the sound of water lapping close by, and we hopped out, the air cool and fresh.
“Nice pick,” I said and walked beside him to the entrance, my shoulder bumped his as he held the door open. “You’ve got taste.”
“I told you,” he said, and followed me in, his hand rested lightly on my back as we stepped inside. The place was cozy with wooden tables scattered around, soft music hummed in the background, and a waitress led us to a spot by the window, the river sparkled outside.
“Menus are there,” she said and pointed to the table, and smiled quickly before she left. I slid into the booth, and Damian sat across from me and set his hat beside him on the seat.
“What looks good?” I said and flipped open the menu, and scanned the options. “I’m hungry.”
“Steak’s solid,” he said and leaned back, his hands resting on the table. “Or the fish since the river’s right there.”
“Steak it is,” I said, and closed the menu and set it aside. “You?”
“Same,” he said and nodded, his fingers tapped the table lightly. “Do you want a drink?”
“Yeah,” I said and grinned. “Beer’s fine and keeps it simple.”
“Good call,” he said and flagged the waitress over and ordered two beers and the steaks, his voice low and easy. She jotted it down and left, and I leaned forward and rested my chin on my hand.
“So,” I said and tilted my head. “How’s it feel being out with me tonight?”
“Pretty good,” he said and smirked, and leaned in a little. “You’re making it easy.”
“Sweet talker,” I said and laughed. the beers arrived, and I sat back as we each took one. “You’re not bad at this.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said and took a sip, his bottle clinking against the table when he set it down. “You look nice tonight.”
“Thanks,” I said and brushed my braid over my shoulder, my cheeks warmed slightly. “You clean up well, too.”
“Had to,” he said and took another sip, his eyes flicked over me. “Can’t show up looking rough.”
“I like the rough look,” I said and smirked and leaned forward again. “It suits you.”
“Yeah?” he said and raised an eyebrow, his hand resting closer to mine on the table. “Good to know.”
Our food came with two plates of steak and potatoes, the smell rich and warm, and we started eating. the table stayed quiet for a bit, except for the clinking of forks. “This is good,” I said and cut another bite, and glanced up at him. “You’ve got a knack for picking spots.”
“I told you,” he said and grinned around a mouthful and swallowed before he added, “I’ve got some skills.”
“Some,” I said and laughed and stole a potato from his plate. “Don’t get too full of yourself.”
“Too late,” he said and slid his plate close, and let me take another. “You’re eating mine anyway.”
“Sharing’s nice,” I said and popped it in my mouth and smirked as he shook his head. We finished up slowly and swapped bites and sips, the river glittered outside as the sky turned pink, and I leaned back with my beer half-gone.
“This is nice,” I said and nudged his hand with mine, my fingers brushed his knuckles. “Nice.”
“Yeah,” he said and turned his hand to hold mine, his grip warm and firm. “We should do it again.”
“Tomorrow?” I said and grinned and laced my fingers with his. “You’re around, right?”
“Tomorrow works,” he said and squeezed my hand, his thumb rubbing over mine. “I’m sticking here a bit.”
“Good,” I said and leaned in, my voice dropping playfully. “I’d hate to send you off too soon.”
“Wouldn’t let you,” he said and leaned closer too, his grin softened. “I’m hard to shake.”
“Prove it,” I said, and laughed and pulled my hand back to sip my beer. “You’re on notice.”
“Challenge accepted,” he said and finished his drink, and set the bottle aside. “What’s next?”
“Walk by the river?” I said and tilted my head, and stood as he grabbed his hat. “It’s pretty out there.”
“Sold,” he said and stood too, his hand found mine again as we headed out, the waitress waved us off with a smile. The air outside was cool, the river lapped softly against the bank, and we walked slowly, my shoulder bumped his as the lights twinkled along the water.
“Nice night,” I said and leaned into him a little, my hand warm in his. “You’re good at this dating thing.”
“I’m learning,” he said, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “You make it easy.”
“Keep talking like that,” I said and laughed and rested my head against him as we walked. “It’s working.”
“I plan to,” he said and kissed the top of my head, his voice low and steady, and we kept going, the night stretched out sweet and simple ahead of us.