The Tapas Bar and Grill, like the rest of the Capri Hotel, was small and cozy. Each table was candle lit and piano music played in the background. I stood frozen at the entrance. The cold from the evening air had chilled me, but even more, I was frightened. I took a deep breath, stepped through the entrance, and peered into the dim radiance. The restaurant appeared empty. I glanced at my watch. It was 5:20. The walk to the hotel had taken longer than I expected. Had I missed him? I stepped further into the restaurant and allowed my eyes to become accustomed to the dim light.
The touch on my arm startled me. Then the soft voice offered reassurance. "Lori, I am so glad you came. I was beginning to think...well...that you would not come. I have a table over here. Would you join me?"
I turned. It was Scott. I managed a faint smile, a whispered hello, and allowed him to escort me to a booth opposite the bar. As he helped me off with my coat, Scott remarked on how nice I looked. The comment appeared genuine. It helped lessen my anxiety as I slipped along the leather cushion to the centre of the booth. Scott was neatly dressed in slacks and a V-necked sweater, but it was his smile and his casual, relaxing manner that I found most attractive.
The next two hours passed in a blur. I remember little of our conversation. However, I do remember feeling at ease, laughing lots, enjoying the Merlot, the attentive waitress, and a decadent chocolate dessert, which I could not finish. I truly liked Scott's company. His soft brown eyes and constant smile put me at ease. This was a dinner date like none other that I had previously experienced. Those had been limited to quick meals at Denny's and a short drives to the river park to watch the submarine races from the backseat. Scott was attentive and charming.
When dinner ended, over half a bottle of wine and most of my dessert remained on the table. As Scott was assigning the dinner charges to his room bill, I remarked to the waitress that I was disappointed that I could not finish my dessert. She smiled coyly and said, "Your romantic dinner doesn't have to end here. I can wrap up your dessert and prepare some cheese and crackers if you like." Then she said with a laugh, "The night is young and you can never tell when you will need a passionate snack." I glanced at Scott and saw an impish grin on his face. He pointed to the wine and looked back at the waitress. She chuckled and continued, "The cork is still on the table, and we do not count the empty wine bottles. So, what shall I do, pack everything up?"
Scott looked at me with a quizzical look. I could only reply, "Sure, why not?"
After the waitress collected my dessert and left the table, Scott reached over and touched my hand for the first time during the evening. "I've really enjoyed dinner. My room has a nice view of the river park. If you feel comfortable, I would love you to join me. I promise you that I will call you a cab whenever you want to leave. I know you have an early morning at the coffee shop."
I did not reply. I just enjoyed the warmth of his hand on mine, the tender massaging movements of his fingertips on my knuckles, and the sound of his sincere words, softly reverberating through my mind. As the waitress approached our table, I reached out and stroked his cheek, looked into his gentle eyes, and whispered, "Let's go."