Starting Over.

Chapter 18 - Date night.

We road to a near by town that had a nice restaurant.

“Does Ironridge only have that diner we went to?” I asked as we made our way to the door.

“No, it does have like a family restaurant, nothing fancy.” David said as he grabbed the door and held it open for me.

“I wouldn’t have mind going there.” I said and we walked up to the podium.

“I know you wouldn’t. Being the CFO of our company, a lot of people who work for us would be there. I think if people thought we were dating, they would bombard you with questions.” He turned his attention to the hostess. “Two please.” He said with a smile and she nodded.

“This way.” She said as she lead us to a table. We sat in a dimly lit area that was obviously more romantic then a family diner.

“I think we’re past that part.” I said as David picked up his menu.

“What do you mean?” He asked looking everything on the menu up and down.

“Well Angela invited me to have lunch with some of the girls at work. She told me they wanted to meet me.” I said and he put down the menu and stared at me. “Well it was Tilly, Carol, and a girl named Samantha.” I said and he nodded.

“Yes I know them.” He said.

“They almost interrogated me over the flowers and why I didn’t come back to work yesterday.” I said and he smiled. He lifted the menu back up and looked over it again.

“I see.” He said as a waiter came up.

“Good evening, I’m Matt. I’ll be your waiter.” I looked over and it was definitely not my Matt. “Can I start you with drinks or a appetizer?” He asked smiling.

“Yes, bring us this sampler appetizer thing. I will have just a coke.” He said and they looked at me.

“Oh, I will have a ice lemonade.” I said and the waiter wrote everything down.

“I will be back to take your orders in a moment. I’m going to get the appetizing and your drinks!” He smiled and walked away.

“So, you were saying about lunch?” David asked.

“Oh well they knew we went to lunch together and they’ve roped me into a girls night tomorrow after work. In fact they put me in a group chat with them. I have it on silent because they do not stop talking.” I said slightly annoyed.

“Does it bother you?” He asked.

“That they don’t stop talking? Sometimes the phone constantly buzzing bugs me.” I said and he smiled.

“Does it bother you if people know we are dating?” He made himself more clear.

“No. It bothers me that everyone seems to want to be included.” I said and he went to talk but the waiter came back. He set our drinks down and pulled out his pad and paper.

“Ok! Ready to order?” Matt said.

“Oh, I’ll have the fettuccini Alfredo with chicken.” I said and looked up at David.

“The lemon pepper grilled steak.” David said.

“Your sides?” The waiter asked.

“Baked potato and the freshly baked roll.” He said handing the menu back.

“Very well! I will be back with your appetizer.” He smiled and left.

“Anyways, I was going to say. You might want to get used to it. If we decide we wanted to be a couple. Everyone will be bugging you about everything.” David said slightly annoyed.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because of my title, my status in town. My brother and his family.” David said.

“Your brother the mayor guy?” I asked not entirely sure. David looked down and smiled.

“Yes, the mayor. He’s very well known and loved of course. His wife is also very well known. She comes by the offices often to see Audra. I don’t want to say she’s a snob but she’s a snob.” David said and I laughed.

“Audra and her get along well I assume then?” I asked and he nodded.

“Audra is so nice and level headed. She gets a long with everyone. Harmony, George’s wife, has thought high of her self since they dated in highschool.” David said before taking a drink.

“So they’re high school sweethearts?” I asked and he nodded. “Will and Audra, are they also?” I asked curiously. David shook his head.

“No, they met in Seattle. She was a intern from a town called Eastmoon.” David said and I thought for a moment.

“Interesting name for a town. Guess I’ve heard weirder.” I said and David smiled trying not to laugh.

“So let’s change topics.” David said sitting forward.

“Yes! Oh! Saturday!” I said putting a finger up.

“Yes?” David asked.

“I have to go get my car, did you want to come? Tonya is insistent on meeting you.” I said and David smiled.

“Of course I’ll come and meet your friend. That’s the one you were messaging when we went out to drinks?” David asked and I nodded.

“Yes, she was convincing me it wasn’t too soon to see someone new.” I said without thinking.

“Oh that’s right you told me you were in a relationship that meant nothing more then a paycheck to keep a roof over your head.” He teased and slightly chuckled.

“Oh god, I felt so shallow after saying that.” I said looking down embarrassed.

“It’s ok, I was teasing.” David said.

“Honestly it didn’t start out like that. It got to that point and then Covid happen. Our relationship got worse being forced to be with each other all the time. My boss had to shut her doors and that’s how I got here. Well not here, but to where I am.” I said and he nodded.

“So no regrets just up and moving to a place you don’t know? Far away from anyone you may know?” David asked.

“I admit I was nervous at first, but nothing is going to stop me from going after what I want in my career. I work hard and I’m good at what I do.” I said as David watched me. Suddenly I saw a hand place something in front of us.

“The appetizer you ordered.” The waiter smiled and placed two plates down, one in front of each of us. “Enjoy.” He said before walking away.

“It’s amazing to see you so passionate about work. What are your goals there?” He asked.

“I want to move up until I can’t move up any further!” I said holding up a mozzarella stick. David covered his mouth and laughed.

“I’m sure you’ll concur that with your mozzarella wand.” David said as he wiped his mouth. I started to giggle. “Does that mean you’re after my job? Should I be worried?” David asked.

“I guess we’ll find out.” I said and he gasped. We both began to laugh. After the appetizer the meal came out. We made chit chat about the food and how good it was. It didn’t take long to feel full and David had Matt the waiter box up the rest of our food.

“Where to now?” David asked as we slowly walked hand in hand to the car.

“Well, I’m not sure what there is to do around here.” I said as we got to his car. He put the bag with our left overs in the back and came up to me. I leaned against his car and he reached up touching my face. Soon his lips were on mine. He move kissing my cheek and then my neck.

“You know, we could always go finish that movie at my place we started.” I said and he perked up.

“Fun!” He said and opened my door. I got in and he closed it. He got in the other side and buckled his own belt. We drove the short distance back to my place and he quickly got out. I went to open my door and he had it open already. I got out and we walked to the door. He reached over and I stopped him.

“I can do it!” I said and he chuckled. I put the number in and opened the door. “Ta-da!” I said with a smiled.

“Well you don’t need me, I’ll go.” He said and I grabbed his arm.

“Come on!” I said pulling him in. He closed the door behind him and pulled me in. Our lips met again but his kiss was almost desperate. We stumbled into the hall table and I heard stuff hit the floor. Our kiss was becoming passionate. Everywhere his hands and lips touched felt like sparks rushing over my body. David pulled away and started kissing my neck as he fondled my chest over my shirt. Suddenly he paused and all I could feel was his breath on my neck. It was like everything came to a halt suddenly. After a moment David pulled back and looked at me.

“Are you ok?” I asked looking at the concerned look on his face.

“I have to go.” David said walking to the door.

“What!?” I said pushing myself up from the hall table. “David are you being serious?” I asked watching him walk to his car.

“I’m sorry Ryan, I’ll call you.” He said as he got in and drove away. I turned and started picking up the stuff off the floor. Suddenly I was over come with anger.