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ALL GABRIELLE THOUGHT about was her date tonight. The week had dragged on. She didn’t think Saturday would ever get here. In case tonight went as planned, she picked up some protection from the store and put clean sheets on the bed.
She took an extra-long time getting ready. Tonight, she wanted his eyes on her and not another woman.
A shudder of anticipation ran through her as she thought about this evening. The man was hot. She could only imagine what he would be like in bed. They seemed to be perfect for each other.
Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach as she waited for him. She didn’t want to appear overly anxious, but she couldn’t wait for him to arrive. As nervous as she was, you would think this was their first date. She had opened the door before he had a chance to knock. He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips. The simple kiss left her wanting more.
***
ON THE DRIVE TO THE restaurant, Gabrielle talked non-stop. He listened intently to her every word. She talked so much that it helped drown out his mother’s constant nagging in his other ear.
When they arrived at Antoine’s, she noticed the line. “This place is really popular tonight. I’m not sure we will ever get a table.” The line wrapped around the corner of the building.
Instead of waiting in line, he walked up to the hostess and gave her his name. The maître d’ appeared not soon after, “Right this way sir. Everything is ready.”
Gabrielle looked at him with genuine surprise, “You planned out this date tonight. I’m impressed.”
He looked down at her and smiled, “I wanted everything perfect for you. We have a special table for tonight.”
The maître d’ escorted them to a private room near the kitchen that was bathed in candlelight. “Oh my,” Gabrielle gasped, “you outdid yourself. It is absolutely beautiful.”
He informed her, “I didn’t want to share you with the other diners. I wanted a nice, cozy dinner so we can sit and talk.”
“A girl can get spoiled being around you.”
He smiled over at her, “I’m glad you agreed to go out with me again.”
***
AS THEY ATE THEIR DINNER, Gabrielle couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He looked dashing in his suit and tie. When he smiled at her, her heart melted. She was falling in love with him.
As they finished the seafood barquette au gratin, shrimp and crabmeat cooked in a lustrous velvety cream sauce and served in a fresh bread bowl, the waiter placed their entrees in front of them. They both elected to try the special of the night, fried redfish with an andouille sausage gravy. She moaned in ecstasy as her taste buds came to life with each bite. “Now, I understand the long line. The food is excellent.”
He agreed, “The food is excellent, but the company is better.”
***
HE HAD WANTED TO TAKE her to Beazell’s On The Bayou, but couldn’t risk running into someone he knew there. If someone he worked with saw him, he would never hear the end of it. He wasn’t ready for anyone to know he was dating. The heckling would not stop.
“I wish I cooked like this. I can burn a pot of boiling water. What about you? Are you a master chef?”
“I can cook a few good dishes. My mother never took the time to cook. If I wanted to eat, I had to make it myself.”
He saw the sympathy in her eyes and ridiculed himself for letting it slip about his mother. “That is the first time you mentioned your childhood.”
“I’m not comfortable talking about it. It was pretty bad; besides, I would rather listen to you talk.”
“I tend to talk non-stop, so don’t give me free reign. As an only child, I never had anyone else to talk to besides my parents. My dad used to ask me if I ever shut up.”
He laughed at the comment, “I can’t imagine why he didn’t want to listen to you talk.”
“I always had a vivid imagination and dreamed different imaginary friends to play with.”
As he listened to her talk, he noticed similarities in their childhoods. It didn’t sound like she had many friends either. Still, he wasn’t ready to divulge too much information about himself.
He didn’t even realize the time until the lights went off in the dining room. He looked at her, “It’s after two o’clock in the morning. Something tells me they are ready to close up though. I didn’t realize how long we have been talking. I should take you home so that you can get some rest.”
When they arrived at her house, he escorted her to her front door and kissed her lightly on the lips, “Goodnight Gabrielle. Sleep tight cher.”
“Goodnight.”
***
GABRIELLE’S HEART SANK as he drove off. She’d lost her nerve and didn’t ask him in for a nightcap. Now, she regretted it. She would be tossing and turning all night, thinking of him. Worse, the club was already in full swing, and there wouldn’t be too many partners left to pair up with. Letting out a sigh, she may as well try to get some sleep.
As she tossed and turned in bed, she wondered if he didn’t find her attractive. She thought he would make a move, but he merely kissed her goodnight at the door. At first, the fact that he was such a gentleman turned her on, but now she found it annoying. If they went out on another date, she would make sure he found her sexy.