Chapter 5: Dinner Distractions

I look at the GPS and back at the sad two-story building siding on my right. The building was probably nice when it was first built. But as I take in the chipped pastel paint and faded lettering, I’m thoroughly convinced I’m in the wrong location. There was no way that Allie Demarco lived in a dangerous dump like this. I park the car in front of the torn awning and take out my phone, punching in her number. The constant ringing rattles my nerves. Do I have the wrong information entirely?

“Hello?”

Her voice sends a zap of electricity through me. "This is not the safest neighborhood to be living in, Allie."

"Well not everyone has four awards from a prestigious school like Harvard."

"Ahh," I laugh. "I see you've done your research."

I can hear the opening of the front door in the background. "Should I even ask which car is yours?"

Probably not. "You'll know me when you see me."

I hang up and step out into the humid air. The building looks worse somehow as I sit on the hood and wait for my beautiful mystery girl to appear. I see those legs appear on the staircase through the window and all too soon she is walking out into the night, her black hair held away from her face by a silk headband. Her black dress dips low in the front and the thin straps barely hold back her boobs. I casually walk to the door and open it, hiding my growing desires behind the door. "Get in here where it's safe."

She might as well be walking in slow motion as I take in every single movement before closing the door and walking off the thought of sliding between those tanned thighs.

I steal a glance at her as I plop into the driver's seat and get situated. God, she’s even more beautiful tonight than I prepared myself for. Business meeting my a**.

"Are you so full of money that you can be so blunt about my neighborhood?"

A smile plays on her lips as I click on my seatbelt. "I'm a very honest person, Allie. This neighborhood is not safe."

"What are you gonna do? Buy the block and make it better?"

"If it would make you feel safe, I'd buy all of downtown."

I slowly pull back onto the street. What was I even saying? I pass a few blocks before stealing another glance. Her body is pressed against the glass, looking out at the world in wonder. Her a** is raised a bit off the seat, the black dress slinking up her thigh. She catches me looking at her and sits back down.

I can’t help but laugh at her blush. "I've only seen kids on TV get this excited about riding shotgun."

"The city just looks so beautiful,” she mumbles. “I couldn't help but get drawn in."

I stare at those chocolate pools and get lost. "I understand what you mean."

My foot hits the gas before I have fully shaken the hearts out of my eyes and my front bumper nearly hits an elderly homeless woman. I slam on the break and stick my arm out to protect Allie, her bare chest pressed against my forearm. I look over at her, scanning for anything out of place.

"I'm okay," she breathes, frozen and frightened.

I relax my grip on her arm and retreat back to the steering wheel, my heart hammering in my ears. I take it slow down the remaining streets and drive in silence, the magic Allie’s eyes snuffed out by my blunder.

"Allie?"

She looks at me, eyes wide as ever. "Hmm?"

"Are you okay? You've been really quiet since I almost hit that lady."

She smiles, a bit sheepish. "Oh, yeah. Just got lost in thought is all. It's not every day you get taken out to a surprise restaurant."

"Well wait no longer because we are here."

A smile breaks across my face as she looks out the window and gasps. The glittering sign for the Painted Lady passes us by as I drive up the winding drive to the valet. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this level of excitement for a restaurant. I knew there was a lot of hype about this place when it first came out, but it was a far cry from being the best place in town. I’m about to step out to greet Manuel when I notice the panic on Allie’s face as she glances from the door to herself. I can’t hold myself back from grabbing her hand. She looks at me, mouth opening and closing like a fish out for water.

“Breathe,” I smile, my own breath a bit shallow from her touch. “You look beautiful.”

I squeeze her hand before reluctantly letting go and stepping out into the summer night. Manuel, a short and slightly balding Spanish man, is already at Allie’s door and I quickly cross the distance between us to greet him.

"Hey, Manuel.” I shake his hand. “How are the wife and kids?"

"Aye, they're good. They're good." Manuel gives me a warm smile before saying, "It's good to see you again, Mr. Fairweather."

I nod with a smile. "Allow me to introduce you to my research assistant, Allie Demarco."

"Possible research assistant," she states, shaking Manuel's hand.

Manuel busts out laughing. "You sound like me and my wife at home. The two of you will make a great team."

I laugh and relish the thought. Allie? My wife? I wish. I hand him the car keys, tucking a hundred-dollar bill beside it. "Make sure you guys eat good tonight, okay?"

Manuel wraps his large arms around me before tucking the money inside his vest. Zelia always hates when I go out of my way to help people I’ve come to know that don’t “share the same status.” But as I turn and see Allie’s innocent face waiting for me, I realize that all my worries were for nothing. There was no reason to act differently. Not around her.

I walk up beside her and offer out my arm. "Shall we?"

Another zap of electricity shoots through me as she grabs my bicep and we make our way into the AC. My favorite brunette sits behind the podium. Her smile is warm and welcoming, but I can tell by her eyes that she can’t wait for her shift to be over.

"Hello, Nadia." I greet her.

"Hello, Mr. Fairweather." She smiles, a small spark flaring behind her tired eyes. "Back again so soon?"

"What can I say?” I shrug. “I love this place."

She blushes a little and notices Allie standing beside me. "Oh, let me take that coat for you, hun."

I can’t help but notice the worn-out condition of Allie’s jacket as Nadia hangs it up next to the others. She gestures for us to follow her as she walks through the archway and into the restaurant. Note to self, find a way to get Allie new clothes without being a creep.

Nadia leads us to my normal spot on the roof. Eating among other people these days seems like more effort than it’s worth. Plus, if you can’t afford to rent out the rooftop when you eat at The Painted Lady, you shouldn’t be eating there.

Nadia bows as I sit down in my usual seat. "Shall I have them bring out your usual, Mr. Fairweather?"

"I'll start with the Brandy and Allie will have..."

I look over at Allie as she sits across from me. She turns to Nadia with a shy look in her eye. "I'll have an iced tea."

Nadia smiles and nods before walking away.

I refocus my attention on Allie. "You know you don't need to be modest in your choices tonight."

She looks around the table. "I don't really drink much."

"I find that fact shocking."

Now she looks at me. "And I find it shocking you think this is a little place."

The thought never crossed my mind that it wasn’t. "I didn't want to scare you away."

"Well, then you should've taken me to a little place."

Her words nearly knock me out of my chair as I burst out laughing. Here I’ve spent most of my dating career trying to take women to the nicest places and my Allie wants a cheap date. "I'm sorry. You're mad at me for taking you somewhere nice?"

"No," she stutters, cheeks flaming. "I just think your verbiage was just a little misleading. That's all."

I cock an eyebrow with a smirk. "My verbiage?" She looks around the empty deck, eyes searching. "What are you looking for? An exit?"

"The waiter. Nadia seems to have forgotten to give us a menu."

"Oh, they don't have menus here."

She turns to me, confused. As if on cue, the appetizer procession begins and I watch Allie over my brandy as she stares at the waiters in wonder. I take a sip and welcome the warm sensation that washes over me. Nothing could beat this sweet taste. I look back at Allie, my lips lingering around the edge of the glass. Maybe a taste of her would be a bit sweeter. We soon fall into a comfortable silence, the clinking of our forks on the plates filling the air.

I wipe my mouth with satisfaction as Allie still picks through her food ."Well, that was refreshing."

"You eat like this every day?"

"Life is too short not to eat good food. Or pass up good opportunities." I lean forward, grabbing a breadstick and pointing it at her. Now that I had a glass in me, it was time to talk business. "Ready to hear me out, Ms. Demarco?" Her laugh makes my heart soar and I nod. "I'll take that as a yes."

I’ve done so many presentations at this point they don’t even faze me. But never once did I connect with anyone. Until today.

Allie sits back and munches on a breadstick. "And where do I come into this? I'm not exactly an expert on building waterparks."

"You'd be aiding me in research for a long list of things that I need for this project to succeed. Locations, contractors, everything."

I can see the wheels turning behind her eyes. "What's the catch?"

"Long hours. A steady pay that will give you a modest living. More nights in places like this. Company benefits." I sip the last of my brandy.

"I asked for the catch."

"And I just gave it to you." I interlace my fingers and rest them underneath my chin. "This isn't an easy job that just anyone can do. I need someone who obsesses over their research and is ready to adapt to the high-class ways of Ocean Tech. I need the kid that everyone paid to do their research papers in Mr. Matil's class and won that straight-A pizza party. I need you, Allie."

The waiters are back to start serving the main course but I refuse to look away from her. I lift my newly-filled glass and hold it out to her once the table clears. "What do you say? Sound like enough of a platonic adventure for ya? Or were you searching for more?"

Her face is flushed and the Brandy is starting to kick in as I get lost in her beauty.

She clinks her glass against mine, beads of water falling off the side and sizzling onto the steaming fajitas below.

"Here's to our new partnership." I toast, sipping away the desire to run my tongue over those sweet tits of hers. Her lips wrap around her glass as she drinks her iced tea and my pants grow a bit tighter. This was going to be harder than I thought.