The Way To Steal My Heart

Dinner

After we visited the Willis Tower, it started to get a little dark. The whole day had almost perfect, except the awkward cherry thing in the limo and the constant paparazzi ambushes.

"Should we go get some dinner?" I asked. We were sitting in the limo, enjoying the city from the cars window. I had my purchases beside me. I'd gotten a few souvenirs like a teal shirt with the Willis Tower on it, a little statue, and a snow globe.

"Yeah, what time is it?" He asked, checking his phone. This was the first time that he'd checked his phone today. "Six. Ok Mark, take us to dinner." He ordered into the intercom.

"Where are we going?" I asked, curious.

"You'll see." Was all he said, giving me a little smirk. We arrived at a place called the "Coco Pazzo." It sounded Italian. When the limo pulled up, Norman helped me out, and I realized there were only a couple cars out front.

"Uh, is it closed?" I asked, kinda disappointed.

"Nah. Just us. No cameras, no fans, no paparazzi, just me, you, a couple chefs, and a waiter." He said, offering me his elbow like some gentleman. I accepted it, wrapping my arm through his. When we entered, we were greeted by a cute little podium with an Italian man. He smiled at us and grabbed two menus.

"Follow me please." He said with an Italian accent. He led us to the middle of the restaurant where a little table was set up. The table had silky white table cloth with two plates set up, each with a cream colored napkin and a set of utensils. In the center of the white table, sat a little case with a single rose in it. Norman led me over to a seat, pulling it out for me. I took my coat off and handed it to the waiter, taking out my keys and phone. Norman handed the waiter his coat too. Norman was wearing a simple black sweater. He sat down across from me, while the waiter handed each of us a menu.

When the waiter left, I looked around. The restaurant was so strange when it was empty. The dark mahogany walls gave the space a comforting air. There were little lights that hung from the ceiling, giving the illusion that we under the stars. I looked down at my menu, skimming through the variety of pasta. I felt my face warming, like someone was watching me. I glanced up at Norman, who was admiring my face. I blushed and tried to hide behind the menu. Norman grabbed my menu and lowered it, making my face noticeable. My face blushed even more.

"Why do you do that?" He asked.

"Do what?" I responded, confused.

"Hide your face." He stated, rubbing the stubble on his chin.

"I don't know. I'm not that pretty." I confessed.

"Don't say that." Norman said. "You're really pretty." He added.

I looked down at my menu, concealing a smile. The waiter walked up to our table, holding a bottle of wine. "Would you like to try Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?" He asked, offering us the wine. "For free." He added.

I nodded, holding out my glass. Norman held his out as well, letting the waiter fill it up. Dark red liquid filled the glass smoothly, up to the halfway point. Norman held his glass up.

"A toast, to this lovely evening." He declared. I clinked glasses with him, taking a sip of the wine. It was very sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. But I enjoyed it. Norman made a slight face and set his glass down.

"Don't like it?" I asked, taking another sip of mine. He shook his head.

"Not really a red wine type of guy." He said. I pulled up my menu, seriously browsing the selection. "You know what you want?" He asked.

"I can't decide. They all look so good!" I sighed. "Wait, do you know what you want?" I asked, curious.

"Yeah. I usually order the same thing everywhere I go." Norman explained.

"Huh." I grunted, searching through the menu. I got an idea. I looked up at Norman, who was fiddling with the rim of his wine glass. "Norman, I have an idea. How about I order you something random off of the menu, and then you order me something." I suggested.

After a few moments of thought, he nodded, picking up the menu. "You don't have any allergies, do you?" He asked.

"I'm allergic to peanuts, but I doubt they have anything peanut related here." I said. "You?"

He shook his head, skimming up the menu. "You don't mind fish, do you?"

"I actually love fish." I said, smiling. Norman made a face.

After a few minutes, we knew what we wanted to give each other. When the waiter came by, Norman motioned him over. I heard whispering, but couldn't make it out. The waiter nodded, writing something down. Then he bent beside me, his ear next to me.

"He'll have the braised beef tortellini." I whispered, making sure that it was barely audible. The waiter nodded and wrote it down, taking the menus and leaving towards the kitchen.

"So. What'd you get me?" He asked.

"I'm not telling you!" I exclaimed, smiling.

"Please don't tell me you got me fish." Norman groaned.

"Don't worry, I'm not that mean." I stated.

"Ok, enough talking about food. What kind of music do you like?" He asked.

I had to think for a second. "Um, I like a lot of music." I said.

"Ok, what about music artists?" This was an easier question.

"I really like older bands. Green Day, All American Rejects, and the Plain White Tee's. I also like some rock too, like Queen, Nickelback, Kid Rock-"

"Wait, you like Kid Rock?" He demanded, leaning forward. I nodded. "You don't look like you enjoy him. What else?"

"Eminem, Nick Jonas, the Gorillaz, Three Days Grace, just stuff like that." I said. Norman stared at me like I'd just grown another head, his mouth gapped open.

"You are hard core for a baker." He stated, rubbing his chin. I laughed at this. "What about favorite song from Kid Rock?" He asked.

"Born free, American Bad-ass, Bawitaba, Cowboy, So Hott, Roll On, Amen." I listed. Norman was staring at me, and if he didn't have a jaw connected to his skull, his mouth would probably hit the floor. When I finished, he blinked once.

"What about from Nickelback?" He asked, leaning forward more.

"Photograph, Far Away, Rockstar, When We Stand Together," I listed again. When I finished, he brought up another artist.

"Eminem."

"When I'm Gone, Lose It, Lose Yourself, Berzerk, Rap God, Mockingbird, Without Me, We Made You." I listed once my again.

Norman had me do that until our food was ready. He looked greatly relieved at the beef tortellini.

"What, you thought I'd given you fish?" I asked, looking down at my parmesan encrusted tilapia, with a side of asparagus and mashed potatoes. My stomach rumbled as the aroma wafted to my nose.

"Hope you like cheese and fish." He smirked, taking a bite of beef.

"Actually, I love this. So, what did you want to get before?" I asked, cutting the fish with my knife.

"Lasagna." He said, taking a sip of wine. The smell of his food made my mouth water. I gazed down at it, letting my mind wander. Norman noticed.

"Wanna bite?" He asked, holding out a bite on a fork.

"No thanks." I said, shaking my head.

"What, afraid I have cooties?" Norman teased. "C'mon, hurry up my arm is aching." He groaned. I rolled my eyes and took the tortellini into my mouth. It was very savory and flavorful.

"Mm." I moaned, nodding my head.