his arms snake around her waist and his lips on her cheek.
“You look amazing,” he whispered into her ear. His familiar woodsy cologne wafted up her nose. She knew it was him.
“Hi Andrew. Thanks,” she said, turning to face him. He looked so good, she couldn’t subdue her stray thoughts of peeling off his suit and crisp white shirt. Just looking at him made her feel flush.
“I’ve missed you today,” he said, kissing her forehead.
She put her arms around him. “Me too,” she answered looking up into his eyes.
“Were you waiting for long?” He asked.
“No. I just got here.”
“Great. Let’s go in.”
He held her hand and led her inside. A warm maître d’ greeted them, calling Andrew by his last name before they managed to announce themselves. He led them through a long hallway, with floor to ceiling aquarium tanks on both sides. For a moment, she wished they could stop and admire the exotic species of fish teaming in the large tanks, but her feet were already a little sore from all that walking.
They rounded a bend into a dimly lit private dining room. Impressionist paintings lined the mahogany walls on one side, and the other three walls were floor to ceiling windows looking out on a stunning panoramic view of the bay. The maître d’ seated them at the table at the center of the room, and excused himself.
“So how was your first day back?” he asked, looking intently at her for a response.
She took in the view briefly, and turned to him. “It was great. I had a nice run this morning. I really needed that after sitting around for so long.”
“Very nice. And how did your ankle hold up?”
“Great. A little tight at first, but the discomfort passed in no time. After that, I went to campus and caught up with a few classmates for the seminar I missed. I didn’t miss too much at all.”
“Good to hear.” He had a dazzling smile.
“I went home after that. And met your staff at my front door. Those were your staff, right?”
“Technically, yes. They’re employees of the Carrington’s department store closest to where you live. Did you like the things they picked out?”
“They were all gorgeous. I’ve never bought that many clothes at one time. It was really sweet of you, Andrew.”
“My pleasure. And did they all fit?”
“The ones I tried fit really well. I tried some of the shoes too. Loved them all. There wasn’t enough time to check them all out.”
“I’d love to get you to one of the designer shops in LA sometime. They can get you fitted, and will custom make exactly what you like.”
“More clothes? Gosh, I’m not sure I’ll ever get around to wearing all the ones they brought by today. It feels like so much.”
He reached his arm across the table and took her hand. “I hope you let me spoil you a little more, Abby.”
The waiter arrived and Andrew ordered a bottle of wine before they looked over the menu.
“So what’s good here?” She asked, grateful for the distraction from talk about the clothes. Not that she was uncomfortable about his gesture. She just felt it was too much of a gift. No one had ever done anything like that for her. And now he wanted to get her more things? She felt special, but it was a lot.
“Everything is exceptional on the menu. The head chef is brimming with talent, and he personally makes sure everything that leaves his kitchen is exactly to order. He may come out at some point tonight.”
“Very nice. And what’s your favorite entrée on the menu?”
“Do you like seafood?”
“Yes, I love salmon, shrimp, and lobster. I’m not a big lover of mussels or crab.”
“Very nice. This restaurant specializes in steak, as the name suggests. But you’d be surprised, their best menu items are seafood dishes. I’m sure you’ve noticed that as we’re in North Beach, many of these restaurants have a strong Italian influence as well. The result is a unique fusion of flavor I can never seem to re-create when I’m at the