I stuck with the grilled asparagus appetizer and Gabe got a 10-ounce filet mignon. The waiter took our orders and disappeared around the corner. Gabe sipped his martini before fixing me with his piercing green eyes. It was impossible to not feel like the center of the universe when he looked at me like that.
“I have to know, what’s your favorite football team?” Gabe asked.
“The Miami Blue Jays, of course,” I said, as my eyes grew wide. I could have sworn we had already “chatted” about this. Or rather, he and Rosie had. Maybe he had just forgotten or was making conversation. “They’re the best team in the nation.”
“The best in the nation?” Gabe looked thoughtful. “I mean they’re good. Really good. But they haven’t been to the playoffs in six years.”
“So what? I don’t care if they never go to the playoffs again, they’re still the best team because they’re from the town I live in,” I shot back. “I’m no bandwagon fan. Blue Jays all the way, rain or shine, I’ll still cheer them on. They're my team.”
Gabe’s eyes were locked with mine and I found myself falling into them. His green irises looked like something out of a painting, too beautiful to be real. They were emerald green, like the rolling hills of Ireland, but more exotic.
“I’m actually glad you said that,” he said, a smile splitting his face in two. “The Blue Jays are my team also. I just wanted to make sure we didn’t love rival teams or something.”
“Yeah, that wouldn’t have worked out,” I joked. “I couldn’t date a Crows fan. The fights when they lost would just be too hard.”
Gabe leaned his head back and laughed. “I agree completely.”
We nibbled on our food while we talked and for the first time on any date ever, I found myself not wanting it to end. The food was delicious, but I was actually more interested in Gabe than the meal. By the time dessert came, I had all but forgotten that the reason I even went on the date was so that I’d have more material for another blog post. In fact, my website and blog were the last thing on my mind. I was actually into this guy and interested in what he had to say. I couldn’t believe it.
“Dessert?” he asked. “The tiramisu is amazing here.”
I nodded. “That's actually one of my favorite desserts.”
Am I on Candid Camera or something? I asked myself. A part of me thought my sister was going to pop out from behind a nearby booth any second and tell me that the whole thing was a set up, and that Gabe was a friend of hers who she’d paid to play some elaborate prank on me. This scenario seemed more likely than a date going right for once.
I hated the fact that I felt suspicious of any guy that didn’t totally offend me or make me feel awkward, but I couldn’t help it. He was just so different than the other men. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
How am I supposed to deal with a date that’s gone well? And why is it so horrifying to me? I wondered. I should be able to handle this!
Gabe ordered us a tiramisu to share, which we took turns eating as we conversed.
“So have you met a lot of good people on Kindling Dating?” he asked, taking a bite of dessert.
I nearly spit out my mouthful in response. Maybe he did know who I was and this was an elaborate joke.
“This is actually my first date using Kindling,” I replied cautiously.
His eyes widened at my response. “Really? You seem really good at first dates for this to be your first one.”
“Oh, it's just my first time with Kindling,” I said. “I've used other dating sites.”
“How's this one stacking up compared to those?” he asked. I wasn't sure, but he seemed nervous about my answer. It was actually kind of adorable.
Play it cool, Harper. Play it cool, I thought. This date was a thousand times better, maybe even a million times better than my usual ones. I was actually attracted to this guy and the conversation was so smooth and easy. If I wasn't in the business of bad dates, I would give Kindling Dating an A+ at this point.
I couldn't actually say any of that, though.
“Yeah, this date seems to be going pretty well,” I responded, trying to act nonchalant about it. I was pretty sure he could see right through me.
“Good,” he said, another one of his amazing smiles crossing his face. “I’m glad. And I agree. It’s going pretty well. I’ve been having a lot of fun getting to know you. A lot of fun.”
I hung onto his words like they were the greatest thing ever said. His voice was deep and sexy. He oozed a relaxed confidence that made me squirm in my seat. I felt like it wouldn’t have taken much for him to get me out of my dress.
The waiter approached and asked, “Can I get you two anything else this evening?”
“I’m stuffed,” I responded, as I patted my belly. It wasn't really true, but there was no way I was ordering more. Not when I knew how much my asparagus had cost.
“I think we’re good,” Gabe told the waiter.
I watched as the bill was pulled out from behind the waiter’s back. It was like slow motion as he set it on the table in front of us.
Who’s going to pick it up? I pray that he doesn’t stick me with the whole thing.
“Should we split it?” I asked, without any hesitation. It was why I had ordered the cheapest thing I could find on the menu.
Gabe looked at me like I was crazy as he reached forward and grabbed the bill, pulling it toward his side of the table.
“That’s a very nice offer, but I’ll get it,” he said, reaching for his wallet.
Okay, now I know for sure that this guy isn’t real, I thought. Charming, sweet, and pays for dinner? What kind of weird date was I on?
“Are you positive? I can pay for my half,” I said. I meant it. Mostly.
“No way,” Gabe responded. “This was my choice of restaurant and our first date. There’s not a chance I’m letting you pay for this. It’s my treat.”
Both my mind and my pocketbook felt deep relief from his words. Gabe paid for the bill with cash and then scooted his chair back.
“Well, would you like to get out of here?” he asked. “I did promise a walk.”
“Sure,” I said.
Normally, this would have been the time when I’d have jumped in my car and driven home immediately to write the latest blog post. But I had nothing to write about. This date had gone exceptionally well. Too well, to be honest. I had no idea what I would write about this one.
Deep breaths, Harper. Just don’t trip over these heels or scratch your ass through this dress and you’ll be fine. Just relax and smile and keep flirting. This evening could get interesting if you let it.
7
I stood up from the table and followed Gabe out of the restaurant.
It had been so long since I'd even had the slightest inclination to let a date go farther. The thought actually terrified me. The butterflies in my stomach started mambo-ing.
Gabe tipped the hostess as we walked through the doors and into the street. The sun dipped behind the ocean and was replaced with the fluorescent lights of the street lamps.
Dove's was located along the beach in a commercial area. There was a short path to the water that would give us a nice stroll. It wasn't a long walk, but it would be a nice way to end the evening.