Before I can sit down, Asher is at the chair pulling it away from the table for me. I sit down and he pushes me closer to the table. I have to admit- I’m not used to being treated like this. This man could be hazardous to my female independence.
For the next ten minutes, our small talk turns to more personal things like how much I miss New York and my job.
When it is time to order, I mention that I do not eat red meat and he says he should have asked before he made reservations.
“Oh, that’s okay. I usually just eat a salad.”
“Well then, order the biggest salad they’ve got.”
“Oh I will,” I shoot him a wink.
We order and keep talking. The more we talk, the more I realize how truly breathtaking he is. That dirty blonde hair- those bright green eyes.
“How long have you been away from Texas?”
“Long enough to feel that I am more of a New Yorker than a Texan.”
Asher smiles, and reaches across the table to caress my hand.
“I hope you give me a chance to fix that.”
My throat gets tight. His hand is so warm on mine. My instinct is to pull away, but something keeps my hand from doing that.
The server comes with our food, so Asher takes his hand away.
“How’s that salad?”
I look down at my salad and there is a small filet of perfect angus beef next to a nest of salad greens with thin slices of Manchego cheese cut in triangles and propped up on top of the salad making a little dome.
“I didn’t realize it would come with steak but it’s really beautiful.”
“I could take that steak from your plate if you want?”
“Would eating this one filet of beef really kill me?”
It has been so exceptionally long since I ate meat, but things are different tonight. I feel so light and happy, and I wouldn’t want to kill the mood by being picky about my meal.
“Well, that’s the spirit!”
Asher smiles at me and I melt. He watches me as I take a bite of steak.
“Good?” he asks.
“Oh yes, better than I thought it would be.”
When dinner comes to an end, I realize I don’t actually want to go home yet. Asher seems to read my mind.
“Would you like to come see my ranch?”
I accept, and an hour later we are at his home.
“I love this! It’s so beautiful!”
I laugh looking at all the Texas memorabilia around the room, teasing him a bit.
“What can I say? I love Texas!” Asher shrugs.
He looks like a mischievous little boy, and I like that. In the back of my head I know that this date has been about my father manipulating me. Yet, I am having the best time with this man.