DC after work on that Friday.”
“You guys aren’t going alone,” George said.
“Um, yeah. We are,” Stella refuted. “End of discussion.”
“Come on, I have reservations.” George took her hand and changed the subject.
“Where?” she asked, following him.
“Tabard Inn. I told you I’d take you.”
“Do you think I’m dressed okay?” She looked down at her casual attire.
He pulled her to him swiftly before she could run away and change. “You’re gorgeous, and every person in that restaurant will look at you because you are, but,” his dimples made an appearance, “it may also be because you have shivs on your shoes.”
“You like these, huh?”
“I would suggest you wear those later, but I’m afraid you’d hurt me.” George’s hands slid down her back and grabbed her ass.
“I’m sure we can figure something out,” she retorted, separating herself from him and walking toward the door, his hand holding her wrist possessively. She waved at Agent Morris as they climbed onto George’s bike and took off toward DC.
George and Stella walked into the Tabard Inn holding hands. Stella was excited; she’d heard great things about the restaurant and George had bragged about the homemade doughnuts many times. It was also nice to be doing something as normal as a date.
George cleared his throat and squeezed Stella’s hand when the hostess asked for the name. “I reserved Room 51.”
The hostess smiled. “Oh yes, Finnegan. Come with me.”
“George, what did you do?”
They followed the hostess into the restaurant and walked through the entire dining area and into a private room. The Inn was old and all of the decorations were very traditional, all dark colors and heavy draperies. Room 51 was painted red and big enough for 12 people to sit, but had two place settings with candlelight at the far end of the table. A grin spread across her face.
“I got us a private dinner.” George smiled proudly and motioned around the room. “This way we can have a date without people staring at you.”
Stella was impressed. George was beyond considerate and she really appreciated it. She hoped he knew how much. “I love you,” she said as she walked to the table and sat down.
“You should.” He laughed and sat next to her, pulling her hand from her lap under the table and kissing her knuckles reverently, one by one.
They smiled at each other like love struck idiots until the first course was served.
She smiled as baked oysters were set in front of them. “Oysters? You know you don’t need that to get me naked.”
“Oh, I know,” he answered with an exaggerated wink, then devoured one of the oysters.
She kicked him under the table.
“Ow!” He reached down and rubbed his shin. “Shit. Those fucking shoes.”
She laughed, which turned to a snort. “Sorry, babe. I forgot about the spikes.”
The main course was placed in front of them and she smiled again. “Do they not let you order here?”
“They change their menu daily. I selected the dishes I thought you’d like.”
“You ordered for me?” She put the first bite of snapper in her mouth and it melted. She groaned. “You know I fucking hate that.”
“It sounds like you hate what I ordered for you,” he retorted.
“Not to change the subject, but Millie invited us over for dinner and drinking for the Penn State/Michigan game. She’s still kinda pissy with me about not telling her everything and she still thinks I’m hiding that Patrick and I were together.” She made a circle with one hand and lewdly stuck her index finger in and out a couple times to signify sex.
George laughed and shook his head. “You’re an idiot. I knew what ‘together’ meant without the hand motions.”
“Just thought it might help.” She shrugged and took another bite of her dinner.
“Well, that’s fine with me. We haven’t seen them in a while. I still think it’s crazy she thinks that about you and Patrick.”
“Well, she