“No, I find myself wanting to tell you anything you wanna know. My dad,” he starts, but our food is delivered.
We situate ourselves, digging into the appetizers we got before he starts again.
“My dad, he needed help with the family business.”
“The lawn service?” I take a forkful of the BBQ covered fries.
“Yeah, although it’s more than that. When he named it, I don’t think he realized how much it would grow. My older brother was getting a degree in landscape architecture. We wanted to move from just cutting lawns and things like that. As a company, we wanted to grow, to build places where people could enjoy spending time outside, and then we purchased all the equipment for snow removal. I still work with them two days a week.”
“Isn’t that tough, especially with the regulations you’re on as a probationary?”
“Very tough, but I would never say no to my family. Not when they’ve supported me from day one. It won’t be much longer, though. We’ve hired quite a few new employees and once they’re trained the way my dad likes them, I’ll be able to let go of my two days. Sure, there’ll be times when they’ll need help, but I won’t have to do it every week.”
“Good.” I give him a grin. “I think I’d like to spend more time with you.”
He grins back. “A lot more time. As much as we can manage.”
“Sounds good to me.”
We talk much longer than I thought we would. When I finally grab my phone to look at the time, I’m surprised to see we’ve been here for three hours. They’ll be closing soon.
He stretches his arms above his head, whistling when I show him the time. “It doesn’t feel that long at all.”
“It doesn’t,” I agree, “but I guess we should be going. If not, they’re going to kick us out.”
He waves the waitress down, grabbing the check. Adjusting slightly, I reach into my purse. “What’s my half?”
“Get outta here with that. Absolutely no way.”
“Are you sure? Most dates I’ve been on, I was asked to pay my half.” I reach over, taking the last drink in my cup.
“What kinda fucking dates have you been on?”
“Obviously not the right ones.”
“You’re too good for those college boys.” He puts a finger under my chin, lifting up so that we’re looking into each other’s eyes. His dark ones show things I shouldn’t see yet. They warn me I’m getting in too deep.
“I’m beginning to think you’re right.”
“You should know I’m right.”
He throws down a few bills on the table, stands up, and holds his hand out for me. The gentlemanly act brings a few more flutters to my stomach. Reaching up, I grab hold and he pulls me out with sheer strength. As we leave, I feel the eyes of the hostess on us. It takes everything I have not to turn around and give her a wink. Just a little tease that this man is mine.