Chapter Twenty-Five

 

Bishop chose a small sushi restaurant in the city. They were seated in a circular booth along the back wall, facing the door. Bishop’s thigh pressed against hers as he slid in next to her. He poured on the charm and she gathered her resolve so she wouldn’t swoon.

The server showed up at their table to take their drink orders. “You’ll love the martinis here. They make them great.” Bishop pointed to the list of specialty drinks.

“I’ll try a sour apple one.” Dakota read from the menu.

“Make mine straight up, extra dirty.” After the server walked away, Bishop turned his full attention on her. “So, how is business now that the renovation is complete?”

“Picking up. Some of the traffic is just for the holidays, but I believe many of the new customers will return.” She swallowed. “You did a good job. I’m not sure I ever formally thanked you.”

“I enjoyed every minute. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?”

“Let me think about it.”

The server placed the drinks on the table and read the dinner specials.

“Can you order for both of us?” Dakota asked. “I always struggle on the right thing to order.”

He placed an order for the chef’s choice. “I hope you like sushi and sashimi.”

“I’ve never tried raw fish, but everything you ordered sounds good,” she paused. “Tell me what’s really going on.”

“I brought you to dinner to talk about us.” The intensity in his voice matched the eagerness in his eyes.

“I want us to take our relationship slow. I never wanted to talk about forever, I just want to know if that’s even a possibility for us.”

“If I learned nothing else since I’ve met you, I learned that I don’t want to be without you. My life lacked meaning. I’m much happier with you than I ever thought I could be. Probably more than I deserve.”

Emotion clogged her throat. Instead of trying to respond, she smiled, daring a single tear to form in the corners of her eyes. Just hearing him say those few words made her heart swell with the love she had for him. If only she could tell him.

Dinner arrived. Bishop picked up a glob of wasabi with the end of a chopstick and stirred the green paste. He placed the shrimp tempura in the muddy mixture then positioned the piece on her plate before dropping a thick slice of ginger on top. “Go ahead. Taste it and tell me what you think.”

After several tries she managed to pick up the shrimp with her chopsticks and take a bite. The strong essences of horseradish stung her nose, making her wince. “Wow.” She managed a nod after several seconds.

“It’s good, right?”

“Yes.

“Since we’re taking our relationship slow, I don’t want to assume you’ll be my date at the Harper Christmas party. So let me ask you formally. Will you be my date?”

“You want me to be the girl on your arm?”

“I want you to be the woman in my life.”

Dakota was afraid to meet his eyes, in case they didn’t reflect sincerity. “How could you have changed your mind in a matter of weeks?”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“So, if I was content to be a girlfriend for twenty years, then everything would have been okay?”

The stunned look on his face let her know her words had struck him. But she couldn’t go running back with the giddiness of a school girl and no resolution. “Answer my question, Bishop.”

“What does it matter? I’m asking for more. I want more, now, now.

She continued to run her finger around the rim of the martini glass. “Funny, how we’ve switched sides.”

“We haven’t switched. You don’t believe me. I can tell when a woman is giving me the brush-off.”

She didn’t know how to reply. Instead, she stared off into the distance. This was too much. At first he didn’t even recognize her, now he couldn’t live without her. That only happened in movies.

“The Harper Enterprise Christmas party is next week, will you be my guest?” he asked again.

“Your guest or your date? There is a difference.”

He scratched his head. “There isn’t. For me, the words are the same.”

“Your mother could be your guest, or your sister could. As your date, I’m the woman you want to spend your evening with. The one and only.”

“Then please be my date.”

She finished her dinner and pushed the plate away. The server removed the dishes and placed dessert menus in front of them.

“I can’t eat another thing.” She rubbed her tummy. “I’m full.”

“You’re not ready to end our date, are you?” Bishop winked.

She leaned across the table closer to him. “The evening consisted of dinner and nothing more. We aren’t doing anything else.”

“That’s exactly what I had in mind. Take it slow.”

She shook her head. “Bishop—”

“Okay, okay. We’ll do things your way. I think I need to prove something to you and I will.” He signaled for the check.

He escorted her out of the restaurant. All night he’d been attentive, as if whatever she said was exactly what he wanted to hear. She placed her hand over his. The warmth of his touch spread through her. The ride to her house was quiet.

He pulled up in front of the house and turned off the car. “I can kiss you, can’t I?”

“Or I can kiss you.” Dakota learned across the console and pressed her lips to his. He opened his mouth to accept her tongue. She tasted a hint of salt lingering on his tongue. He put his index finger under her chin to pull her closer.

She wanted to deny what was happening, but she would be lying to herself. She pulled away. “I better go inside before I get into trouble.” She opened the car door before he could reply.

“Thanks for dinner.” He held her hand and walked her to the door.

From the warmth of her living room she watched Bishop pull away from the curb before calling her sister. “Asa, I just had a date with Bishop.”

“I thought you guys broke-up?”

“He showed up at the bookstore and told me he changed his mind. I don’t know if I can believe him?”

“Suppose he’s serious?”

She snickered. “Suppose he just doesn’t like being turned away. He’s trying to save face. Suppose we’re just dating again?”

“Dakota, stop being so cynical. He might be sincere.”

“He invited me to the Christmas party. As his date.”

“You were already invited, so now you have a date. Isn’t that great?” Asa sounded enthusiastic. “See you on Saturday. And Dakota please wear something festive. It’s a party.”

“Got it, Asa. Don’t you have a dress I can wear that will make Bishop thankful to have me as his date?”

“I have just the thing. I’ll send the dress over tomorrow.”