One if by Land, Two if by Sea was a restaurant housed in what used to be the carriage house of Aaron Burr’s seventeenth-century colonial home. It was on Barrow Street, a narrow, cobblestone street in the Village. It wasn’t trendy, but it was definitely couple-friendly. And completely not his scene, Owen realized as he placed his hand on the small of Kelsey’s back and escorted her from the cab into the narrow doorway. Owen preferred sticky-floored dive bars with beer specials and burgers for under five dollars. He’d never really understood why people were so averse to fast food chains. Hadn’t anyone ever been to In-N-Out Burger in California? That shit was so good he’d marry it.
A french fry is forever?
“Aw, this is so sweet!” Kelsey exclaimed as they stood next to the narrow oak bar, adjusting the strap of her chocolate brown dress so it would stop falling down. She whirled around and gave Owen a kiss.
“Name?” an ancient, skinny guy at the reservation desk asked uncomfortably. Obviously, the restaurant wasn’t used to having teenagers on a date. Neither was Owen. Somehow, it seemed more natural for the two of them to be naked, in his bed, than all dressed up at a fancy restaurant.
“Carlyle.” Owen cleared his throat and loosened his blue Armani tie slightly. Avery had made him wear a jacket, and he felt very buttoned up. “Owen Carlyle.”
“Right this way.” The maître d’ motioned for them to follow him up a rickety set of stairs and into a muted, dark-wood dining room, complete with faded Oriental rugs and exposed redbrick walls. Kelsey giggled, poking Owen and gesturing at a man who seemed half asleep over his chocolate soufflé. His oblivious, skinny wife continued to chat to the couple next to them.
Owen smiled and shook his head in disbelief. How typical of Avery to recommend a restaurant that was perfect for a seventy-fifth anniversary dinner. He just hoped they didn’t have senior citizen–size portions. “Here you are.” The host escorted them to a small, white linen–covered table in the corner. As he left, he snatched up the wine list, making a point that he knew exactly how young they were. A single rose and a dripping red candle adorned the table.
“Thanks again for planning this, Owen. This was a great idea.” Kelsey smiled, displaying her adorably imperfect crooked left incisor. Owen instantly wanted to kiss her. Why couldn’t they be on Kelsey’s antique sleigh bed, or on his rooftop terrace, or in their special spot in Central Park…?
“So, how’s swimming?” Kelsey smiled sheepishly, as if she were trying to drag her mind away from the same dirty thoughts Owen was having.
“It’s all right,” Owen began. He focused on the slight hint of cleavage busting out of her dress. Her skin was sparkly. Owen always noticed that about girls. If he hadn’t lived with Avery, he would have assumed it was totally natural, rather than courtesy of Benefit’s Kitten Goes to Paris sparkling body powder.
“Tell me about it! I want to know everything about you.” Kelsey raised her blondish eyebrow at him as a gray-haired waiter shuffled over to the table and delivered the menus.
“Good evening. Would you like to hear the specials?” the waiter asked in a bored voice. He looked like he was at least one hundred years old.
“Of course, we’re always up for specials,” Kelsey said teasingly, biting her adorable coral-colored lower lip. Owen felt her fingertips lightly dance over his leg.
Sea bass, char-grilled salmon… as the waiter rattled off the list, Owen tried to ignore Kelsey’s fingertips drumming his knee. At this rate, he wasn’t sure he could last the whole meal.
Down, boy! Patience is a virtue.
“I’ll have the sea bass,” Kelsey said agreeably. The waiter winked at her, showing more life than he had in the past five minutes.
“Me too,” Owen agreed hurriedly, not even sure what they had ordered. Who cared about food?
“So, where were we?” Kelsey pulled her hand away and Owen felt a surge of disappointment. “Swimming…”
“Yeah.” Owen nodded. He still wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell Kelsey about making captain. It would just remind her of Rhys, and then they’d both feel shitty—again—for what had happened. But she was going to find out eventually. “I was actually made captain. Rhys quit.” There.
“Rhys quit?” A frown crossed Kelsey’s face, but was quickly replaced by a sunny smile. “Well, that’s awesome for you! Congrats.”
“Yeah,” Owen agreed, unsure what else to say. There was so much he didn’t know about her. He knew she went to Seaton Arms, that she was a fabulous kisser, that she had a gorgeous antique sleigh bed and a gorgeous body… and that was pretty much it. “So, do you do any sports? Or clubs?” he asked lamely.
“Tennis, remember?” Kelsey said teasingly.
“Of course!” Owen exclaimed like an idiot. Right. He’d stopped by her apartment a few days ago and she’d worn a flirty white skirt that hit mid-thigh, her strawberry blond bangs adorably pushed back by her visor.
“I mean, that was a dumb question. I guess, what I wanted to know was, what other stuff you like to do?” Owen stumbled.
“You first!” Kelsey exclaimed. “You’re the one who wanted to have a sit-down dinner. Tell me something I don’t know.” She shrugged and smiled.
Thankfully, their salads arrived just then. Owen glanced down at the mix of greens on his plate. He racked his brain but couldn’t come up with one interesting thing to say. He’d read an article in the paper the other day about how polar bear communities were shrinking, but that suddenly seemed extremely lame to bring up. He took a large bite of salad.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room—maybe you could help me find it?” Kelsey’s eyes danced mischievously as she scraped her wooden chair back.
“Of course.” Was Kelsey suggesting what he thought she was suggesting? Owen stood up so fast the walnut chair practically clattered to the floor. Together, they wove their way through the maze of tables and down the stairs, ignoring the curious stares of other diners.
“I think it’s this way,” Kelsey said, taking Owen’s hand and leading him toward a door near the bar. Owen squeezed her hand, his heart racing.
“Come in with me!” Kelsey said in a sexy whisper. Owen didn’t hesitate. He followed her inside, quickly pulling the door closed. The bathroom was lit by several candles, making it seem almost romantic. He pushed her up against a wall and kissed her hard on the lips. It was exciting and explosive and romantic, like the first time they met. Kelsey kissed back hungrily, then bit into the shoulder of his white button-down shirt.
Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed through the bathroom. Kelsey and Owen froze, their eyes locked. And then they started kissing harder than ever.
“Get out immediately!” a stern female voice called as the doorknob rattled. Busted. But it only turned Owen on more. He pulled the strap of Kelsey’s dress down her shoulders, exposing her creamy white skin.
“Yes!” she moaned eagerly.
“No! Get out now!” the voice yelled.
“We’ve got to go.” Owen pulled away reluctantly, then opened the door.
“Uh, we were…” Owen stammered as he found himself face-to-face with a bevy of waitstaff who’d all formed a huddle around the bathroom door.
Probably to protect the eyes of the senior citizen patrons.
“I was feeling sick,” Kelsey explained as she brushed past a skinny, fifty-something waitress.
“You are sick,” the waitress said, rolling her eyes.
“Please leave the premises immediately,” the maître d’ said as he weaved his way toward Owen and Kelsey. Owen nodded. He couldn’t look at Kelsey because he knew if he did, they’d just start laughing.
And making out again?
“Follow me down the back stairs,” the maître d’ barked, thrusting Kelsey’s large blue Marc Jacobs satchel toward her as if it were contaminated. “Now,” he added, clapping his hand against Owen’s shoulder.
“Sorry,” Kelsey and Owen mumbled at the same time. The maître d’ led them down a rickety staircase and to a nondescript door, holding it open.
“Out!” he growled.
“Of course, sir!” Owen said. He couldn’t resist grabbing one of the roses from one of the unoccupied tables as he ushered Kelsey out onto the cobblestone side street.
Finally, they both burst out in laughter as the door closed with a thud.
“My lady?” Owen teased, holding out the slightly wilted rose toward Kelsey.
“My hero!” Kelsey said goofily as she accepted the flower. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him gently. Owen sighed in happiness. Maybe getting kicked out of a restaurant wasn’t all that classy, but it was definitely fun. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable?” she asked hopefully.
Owen nodded giddily as he put his hand up to hail a cab. Avery was right. A date was a great idea. A taxi screeched to the curb, and, giggling, Kelsey scooted inside. Owen followed, squishing in next to her, their thighs touching.
“Seventy-second and Fifth.” Owen gave his address, slipping his hand inside Kelsey’s as she accidentally-on-purpose let the strap of her dress slide off her glittery shoulder.
That cabdriver is going to be in for a surprise.