Snow Cover

Chapter 4 The Invite

Julia's POV

As we enter this busy restaurant of exquisitely dressed people, I feel myself instinctively inching closer into John's side, with my grip tightening around his arm out of straight nervousness and feeling completely out of place, but with the strut in his step I can tell that he doesn't feel the same way that I do. I have never been in a restaurant like this and cannot even lie to say that I am on the level of anyone in this place. With one look at me, you would know that I am not on their level.

The waiting room is filled with people having their noses held high as they glared at me passing them. The looks given to me change when they look at John, as if they know that the only reason I am here is because of him. With their diamond necklaces and designer clothing, I feel somehow under dressed even though this is the nicest dress I have. The looks they give me show that they know I am not one of them and I can honestly say that I have never felt more out of place in my life. There is a reason I haven't been in a place like this and that is because I cannot afford such luxuries.

John leads us straight to the hostess' stand as she smiles, then greets us, "Hello.. Hope you're doing fantastic this evening.. But just a warning, we are really busy.. I don't know if we have any tables available without an extensive wait time.. that is unless you may have a reservation." I get a little sad about that because I always wanted to try this place out. It's always busy here, but I understand being in that same industry. When you're busy, you're busy. You can't create an open space and extra tables with the flick of the wrist. That's not possible, but that doesn't change the sadness at not being able to try this place out.

I nod in understanding as I start to turn around, but his hold on my arm tightens as he quickly states. "I understand that, you look incredibly busy, but I do have a reservation.. It's under John Doelly." I get excited looking over at him with surprise as the hostess smiles, "Oh that's great.. John Doelly party of two.. ok.. Right this way." she then leads us through the lanes of tables filled with customers that look very entitled in every sense of the word.

But what's great is that they even look satisfied with smug smiles plastered on their faces, meaning that they must be liking the food, right? I'm anxious to try the food now.. If these people love it, then I'm sure I will too.. I'm just so ecstatic that I get to try this out. I don't know why I am so surprised, but I didn't expect him to have a reservation since he just asked me to go out again at the last minute.

Once we approach our open table, the waitress waves her arm elegantly, presenting the table dedicated to us. John lets go of my arm just to pull out my chair and wait for me to sit. I excitedly sit down before he pushes it in, then having a seat right across from me. The hostess starts helping by filling our water glasses, then setting our menus in front of us. "Your waitress will be right with you." the hostess declares this before giving us a small bow, then turning on her toes just to walk away.

"You got a reservation?" I ask him out of surprise while he smirks, then nods. "Yeah, I was trying to be prepared, so I made sure to get it yesterday morning." he replies as I shake my head, looking over at him in disbelief. "This place is always packed though, I heard their wait list is at least a month out." I state with even more surprise in my words because he shouldn't have been able to get the reservation that he did. I watch his shoulders shrug as he states, "Well a very old friend of mine owns this place and said he could have a table waiting for me if I wanted it."

My eyebrows are raised at that comment, as I playfully ask, "What were you going to do if I said no?" he chuckles before rubbing the back of his neck. "I would have been sad, of course, but still would've come in to eat, even if it was by myself. I still love the food here and won't pass up a chance to eat here when he has a table waiting for me." He states as I smile and nodded in understanding before I then reply. "I would have too.. I have heard great things about this place. So, this was a very pleasant surprise because I have never been, but always wanted to try it. So thank you for the invitation."

I notice him nodding as his smirk grows. "You haven't been here? It's amazing, their garlic honey salmon is to die for." He states with so much enthusiasm that I can't help but to pull out the menu and start looking over everything on it. "Is that what you will be getting? Especially since you already look ready to order," I ask with humor in my tone, causing him to chuckle as he nods at my question.

"You know what, you look like you know what you're talking about, and I love salmon, so I'll trust you and your taste buds.. I'll have the same." I state with enthusiasm as his smile gets even bigger, almost face-splitting, showing the little wrinkles he has on his forehead and cheeks. He looks so young from taking such great care of himself. I guess that I keep forgetting how much older he is than me. But it's not a bad thing. I guess I will just need to get some pointers on what he does for self-care daily, because I have been couch-ridden, reading books and eating unhealthy snacks any chance I get. So there is no way I will be looking half as good as him at his age.

"How about a bottle of wine to share between us?" he asks me in a soft tone as I bite my button lip, staring across the table at his gray-tinted eyes that almost look silver. His broad shoulders and commanding tone get so much of my attention that I can't seem to turn away. "That sounds like a great plan.. I'm in." I say taking a sip of the ice water at the table as I notice him staring over at me intently, as if he is liking what he sees. I smile over at him with our eyes locking before our attention is taken by someone grabbing the menus.

It's hard to break the gaze and connection between us, and it's refreshing, to say the least, because I haven't had anything quite like this. He makes me feel like a scrumptious meal that he just wants to devour every last bit of.. The last time I had a man interested in me like this was so many years ago.. But even then, it still wasn't on this level by any means.. Which is probably good because I can't imagine it would feel as good if I had this all the time, especially since it's completely intoxicating at the moment.

That's why I want this to go on as long as we can.. Maybe this is that honeymoon stage I always hear people talking about. I'm not sure, but we do have to look at the person that we both know is right there beside the table, whether we want to or not. The waitress is hovering over our table at this point, I think really trying her best to get our attention without being rude, so I glance over at her, but still feel his gaze locked on me. I glance back as John takes the lead and orders the drinks and food for us without breaking eye contact with me, making me feel as if I am the only woman in the room, even though it's clear that there are many more.

Once the waitress leaves our table, he reaches over and taking my hand into his, as his thumb caresses over the top of it. This catches me off guard once again, but I like that he makes me feel this way. Maybe this is the start of something special, something great and new. I watched the waitress bring our bottle of wine over, before pouring both of us a glass. I smiled and nodded at her as I took the glass with my open hand, not wanting to break the gentle hold that he already had on my other hand.

I feel the nervousness kicking in as he stares over at me, with a look that shows he has a lot on his mind, as if he is trying to find the words to talk with me. I'm just nervous about what he plans to ask. I feel like a young school girl, getting those butterflies in my stomach on the first date. I have to keep telling myself that this isn't a first date and that I need to calm down before I make a fool of myself.

I came back to reality as I heard him clearing his throat. "You know, Julia.. I have been having a spectacular time with you on all of these dates.. That doesn't even include all of those long and deep talks through the phone that have meant the world to me. You make me feel so young, and I can honestly say I haven't had a connection with someone like this in a very long time.. Even though we really don't have a lot in common, I still feel so connected with you." He states as I smile and nod because I think he knows just as well as I do that I feel the same.

"Me too." I squeak out, letting the nervousness get the best of me as he leans in, causing me to automatically do the same, matching his movements. "I don't want to sound too forward to you by any means." He adds as I shake my head, while still waiting for what else he has to say. "But.. I was hoping that a lovely young woman like you.. Would like to maybe.. Be with me.. maybe.." he clears his throat, sounding just as nervous as I feel.

I keep nodding in anticipation, letting him know to keep going and that I would be fine with this, he just has to ask me. The nervousness has now hit his eyes as they ping around looking scared at this rate, but he looks back at me to see my smile and nodding. I am showing how accepting and open-minded I can be, as he lets out a deep breath then nods with me, knowing he has more to say until he just blurts out, "Be with me, by going on a trip with me.. Please." It takes me a second to process this comment, until I realize what he said. "A trip?" I asked with so much shock in my tone as I sit back up, being completely confused since that's not what I was expecting at all when he said he wanted to ask me something.

"Yes.. I was wondering if you would want to join me on a trip.. A business trip for me.. But a skiing trip for you.. If you accept.. It would be to a little town in Colorado.. I have been heading out there on some business trips over the years and I absolutely love the area.. And I need to go there this weekend and was hoping you would be willing to join me... for an extended date of sorts.. It would be so much fun for us.. But it also will make me feel amazing if you accepted, because you just seem to be the best kind of company." This is sweet and all, but I have been taken off guard by this altogether. This is not where I thought the conversation was going at all.