“Yeah, yeah. But I can still dream. Can’t I?”
There was something about Levi I just liked. It was so easy to be around him. We didn’t say much after that, until we got into town and I saw the long line coming out of the Young Thailand restaurant. It snaked around the freaking corner of the block! Apparently, their dinner was worth waiting for.
“Yeah why don’t we just—” I began, but he ignored me and led me to the front of the line.
“Reservation for Black,” he said as we got inside.
“Good evening,” the hostess bowed at us.
She picked up two menus from the stack nearby, and beckoned us to follow her. She led us to a table at the storefront window.
“Reservation?” I asked, as she seated us and left. “Did you just trick me into going on a date with you?”
“How else am I ever going to ever get you to stop eating frosted flakes?”
“What’s wrong Frosty?” I pouted.
“It’s sugar and fake corn, need I say more?”
“You’re no better, with your granola bars!” I accused him.
“Not the same,” he retorted, as he slid the basket of unleavened bread towards me.
“I’d eat more, but someone never gives me a break long enough to sit down and eat a full meal,” I shot back, as I broke off a piece of the bread and nibbled on the end.
“Oh, that’s a two way street baby, and you know it.”
I knew that he was right, I just couldn’t bring myself to admit it. Instead, I picked up my menu and pretended to be completely captivated by a list of food that I had never seen, had, or heard of, in my life.
He remained silent, letting the issue go, and the next time I glanced up, I saw that he was staring out the window, watching as the autumn leaves fluttered in the wind. As I looked at him, I realize just how attracted to him I was, and not just in a sexual way either. Sex had started our time together, but lately, it felt more personal than that.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost didn’t notice that he had turned his attention back to me. I looked away, blushing because I knew that I hadn’t been quick enough, and he had caught me ogling him. Knowing him, he probably assumed that I was having erotic fantasies about him.
Luckily, before he could say anything, a server came to take our order.
“What would you like to have?” Levi asked.
Crap. I hadn’t really read the menu.
“Ah… the Larb Leuat Neua?” I said, picking the first thing that caught my eye.
His eye went wide, and he chuckled before he placed his own order.
“Are you sure?” he asked me.
I wasn’t, but I nodded anyway. I had already committed, it was too late to back down without looking like a complete idiot. With a smile, he nodded at the server who collected the menus and left.
“Seriously?” he asked again, this time with a slight frown.
“What?”
“You hate raw food, right?” he asked, knowing full well that I did, after he’d unsuccessfully tried to get me to eat sushi.
“Yeah…”
“Larb Leuat Neua is basically a raw meat salad with mint leaves.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.