Fatal Jealousy: Black Widows #1

Chapter Three

Two plates of fries and sandwiches were placed in front of them, "Enjoy." The bartender said, with a courtesy smile.
Ellie shook her head, "Sorry but we didn't order anything."
Then he settled his gaze on Carson, as he slid the ketchup, salt and pepper on the counter to them.
"I did." Carson offered, picking a fry and tossing it in his mouth.
"I didn't know they served simple food here."
Carson looked over to the dining area. He'd forgotten to do a complete sweep after the distraction her legs had presented. She was right. The low jazz music playing in the background went well with the dim lights. The waiters in penguin suits quietly moving around the tables like a well organized troop. And of course the fine dinners in designer labels.
"How did you get in here dressed like that?" Ellie laughed.
"I paid extra." He smiled when her brows furrowed.
"I didn't pay..." she stopped. Her eyebrows lifted and her lips spread in a smile, "You seduced the hostess, didn't you?"
Silently, he picked up the ketchup and doused her fries.
"Were you..."
He slide fries into her mouth to silence her, "Now I see why you need your sister to set you up on blind dates. Are you going to bring up your ex-boyfriends next?"
Ellie narrowed her eyes at him. She soaked a fry in ketchup then, after wiping it on his lips and cheeks slid it into his open mouth.
She laughed, leaning back and almost falling off the stool. Carson held her waist to steady her, "You are lucky you are so cute."
She picked up a napkin and wiped the mess off, "No, you are lucky you are so damn cute."
He rested his hand back on her knee, "Another beer?"
Ellie nodded, glancing at his hand. "Thank you for the fries."
He squeezed her knee making her giggle. His smile deepened at the sweet melody of her voice, "You can thank me on our third date." He didn't mean it as a joke, but it set her off and he had to hold on to her waist again.
She bit her lips together to muffle the laughs when she noted the eyes set on them. He didn't seem to notice—his eyes didn't move away from her.
"Eat." She ordered feeding him another fry.
***
Ellie fixed herself up in front of the mirror, her heart pounding hard in her chest. She was dressed like herself this time, but she wondered if he'd like her laid back style. He hadn't told her where they were going, so dressing, especially without Kris; her best friend to help was sort of a nightmare. She'd spent an hour curling back her hair and doing her makeup- very light and natural. That was the only part she was sure about, but the clothes were a whole other disaster. She'd spent two hours trying on everything she had. She'd moved from a hot cocktail dress to jeans and a leather jacket.
"He wants to meet the real me, so this is it," she spoke to herself.
Ellsa walked into the room, "It definitely isn't," She as always, was dressed like she was about to walk down a red carpet. Her makeup was just right, accentuating her sharp features. She had a figure hugging, knee high, red bandage dress. Her shoes were always the fashion statement, a black Jimmy Chu with the red bottom and a black Gucci purse to match. Her hair style of the month was a side combed shoulder high cut with very subtle waves in it. And her jewelry was top notch.
Ellie slumped wishing she'd left the apartment before Cleopatra arrived, "What are you doing here Ellsa?"
She dropped her purse on the bed and moved to the closet, "Saving your date." She pulled a few dresses and placed them on the bed, "Take that off, you are not going to a biker bar."
Ellie turned to her, "And how would you know?"
"Does he have a motor cycle?"
"Yes."
"Tattoos?"
"A few."
Ellsa's eyes widened in shock, "I'm almost afraid to ask if he has a mullet! This is what happens when you pick your own dates! Why didn't you go out with the guy I got you?"
Ellie undressed, "I did and I am. I have to admit, I'm happy you picked this one for me. This time you did a great job."
Ellsa looked at her a little perplexed, "Dale has tattoos, and a bike?"
"That's what he says. I saw the tattoos and his mother isn't on his belly. Her maiden name is on his wrist."
Ellsa put on a sarcastic smile, "That's so much better! Did she call to check on how her baby's date was going, or is she buried in his living room under the sofa?"
Ellie's brows furrowed with annoyance, "How about you just help me and keep your comments to yourself?"
She picked up a black number, "Fine, but this doesn't sound like the Dale Carson, Scarlet described to me."
Ellie shook her head in disapproval, "Pick something that looks like me and not you. Last time he said I looked like I was dressed by someone else."
Ellsa dropped the dress on the bed, "Well then you are set to go looking like a manly lesbian."
"Ellsa!"
"Where is he taking you?"
"I don't know yet. It's a surprise."
"Should I track your phone just in case he turns out to be a rapist, serial killer?"
Ellie fidgeted impatiently on her heels, "Ellsa I'm meeting him in an hour, could we please hurry this up?"
Ellsa huffed handing her a sky blue sweetheart cut dress, "He doesn't even have a car." She walked to her shoe rack and picked gold strapped heels.
"Ellsa he's hot! Whether or not he has a car is at the bottom of my list. And he had to work late that's why we are meeting."
"Where McDonald's? Put these shoes on and carry the gold clutch bag," she said, settling on the bed.
Ellie did as instructed, "Weren't you on your way somewhere not here?"
Ellsa smiled, "Yes I am. I have a promising date with a man who drives a phantom," she stood up, picking up her purse, "If he offers to take you to his mommy's house on his tricycle say no. Your standards may be low, but not pig sty low. See you sis!" She waved as she strolled out of the room.
Ellie chuckled, looking at her reflection in the mirror, "She might be stuck up, but she has great taste."
***
Ellie parked her car at the address Dale gave her. It was to a burger joint.
She groaned. "At least it's not McDonald's." She hated it when Ellsa was right. She stepped out of her car and walked to the entrance. "Our first date was great. So what if the second one is at a burger place, I like burgers."
"You are in luck, 'cause this is the best place in town," Carson spoke behind her. He'd been watching her for a while as she talked to herself. He found it cute. He especially loved how she looked in that dress. "Ellie Jabari, you look stunning!"
Ellie turned to him. She couldn't help but smile when she saw his smile. It stirred her up, sending butterflies to her stomach. "Dale Carson, you don't look too bad yourself." She responded, wishing she had stuck to her jeans and jacket. He was dressed very casual; black jeans and a long sleeve tee shirt that hugged his arms just the right way.
She then turned to the burger place, "I think I'm a little over dressed for The Hot Spot."
He shook his head, "You are dressed just right. Are you very hungry?"
"Nope. Why?"
He took her hand and pulled her across the street, "Good, because we are going dancing."
Ellie laughed, "Dancing? You can dance?"
"Hey! I've got moves!"
"Sure you do!"
They walked into the club, cutting the long line. He greeted the bouncers at the door and introduced her to them. He held her in front of him as they walked into the crowded club filled with Spanish music.
He spoke in her ear, "Do you know how to salsa?"
Ellie nodded. "Dancing is my second love."
He guided them to a roped off area, "What's your first, that is before I replace it?"
She laughed, "Painting. And I highly doubt you can replace that."
Once they'd sat down in the oddly less noisy section he waved to a waiter, "Why not?"