Amanda's POV
Alone at home, getting ready for the dinner, I hoped that I would be out of the house before Nikki got back from work.
Harry stood me up for work after we had planned to have lunch together earlier today, but luckily for him I was going allow him take me out to the dinner he suggested as his way of making it up to me.
"I don't want a regular dinner. If you're going to make it up to me, you're going to have to take to me to somewhere impressive, somewhere fancy." I smirked as I told him over the phone earlier.
"Is that so? I was planning on taking us to Ethel's Diner."
"I love Ethel's but it's not exactly the most romantic setting for a dinner date." I responded, trying to not make it sound offensive.
"Well I could tell Ethel that and maybe have her focus on changing the style of the restaurant to a more romantic one."
"No, don't." He laughed. "If you want us to go to Ethel's Diner, I don't mind."
"No. If a fancy and romantic dinner is what'll make it up to you, then prepare to feel like a queen tonight."
"That was so cheesy." I remarked, unable to stop myself from grinning.
"It wasn't. Be ready at seven." He said. "I'll see you later."
My mood was reflected by the mirror as I stood in front of it with a smile on my face. If he was serious about me feeling like a queen tonight, which I was sure he was, then the knee-length, figure-hugging, black dress which I wore was perfect. The dress had a modest V-neckline which revealed just a hint of collarbone as the beautiful silver pendant settled comfortably in the hollow of my throat.
"Where are you going?" Nikki entered my room unannounced.
"Um..." I was very much shocked to see her.
"You look incredible." She said, coming closer to me. I forced a smile and thanked her for the compliment.
"Are you going on a date?"
"Why would you ask that?" I questioned nervously.
"Well because of what you're wearing." She said. "Besides, I've not seen you looking so dashing at night in a while."
"Fine." I sighed. "I'm going on a date."
A knock came at the door and I thought it was an opportunity to come up with something to say to her when she left the room to see who was there, but I was wrong.
"Harry?" I heard Nikki mention. "What are you doing here?"
I walked out of my bedroom and was completely blown away by how good Harry looked in the figure-hugging dark gray suit he wore with the collar of his white dress shirt peeking out neatly and the couple of buttons that were undone added to his studly appearance.
The smile I couldn't hold back died quickly when I saw the hurt flash in her eyes. She put on a smile and said, "She's ready for you as you can see. You two have an amazing night."
Her quick steps into her bedroom only reaffirmed that she was upset.
"Shall we go?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." I grabbed my purse from my room and met him outside.
"You look gorgeous." Harry said softly.
"Thank you." I smiled. Noticing the sleek black sedan in the driveway, asked him whom it was for.
"It's mine." He said with a proud grin as he put his hand on the small of my back and guided me to it.
Opening the door for me, I thanked him and got in with ease. The interior of the car screamed luxury with its comfortable leather seats embracing my body. The dashboard housed an array of cutting-edge technology which I found very impressive.
"When did you get a car?" I asked as he got seated.
"Three days ago. Do you like it?"
"Mhm." I nodded.
He pushed the start button and the engine roared to life.
"So, where are we going?" I asked him.
"Enchanté Bistro." He mentioned with a decent french accent. "Do you know it?"
"No."
"You'll love it. A romantic dinner date doesn't get any better." He grinned.
"For your sake, I hope that's true." I quipped.
A soft melody filled the car and my mind eventually travelled to the look I caught on Nikki's face when she figured out Harry was the one I was going out with.
"Amanda." Harry called.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay? You seem distant."
"No." He looked at me and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I think Nikki is mad at me for not telling her about us."
"Why?"
"Because she likes you." I blurted. "Something she told me a long time ago. I should've told her. I shouldn't have hidden us dating from her."
"Amanda, calm down." He interjected. "I understand why that might upset her but she'll get over it. You just need to talk to her."
Harry was right.
"Besides, I'm trying to make it up to you tonight so I don't need you getting distracted by anything. I am entitled to an even playing field." That got me smiling a little.
Soon, we were pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant and I was in awe of its magnificence. The exterior was beautiful with it's sleek and modern architecture.
Harry got out and moved around the car to open the door for me. He helped me get out of the car and asked, "Have I made it up to you?"
"Let's wait till the end of dinner to find out."
He smiled.
With our arms intertwined, we went through the archway entwined with green vines and entered the sleek and sophisticated interior.
I was not expecting any of this when I told him I wanted us to go somewhere fancy.
After checking the reservation, Harry and I were led to our table in the large dining area which had plush chairs with sleek metal accents around sleek marble-top tables, each with a small decorative centrepiece.
"This place is gorgeous." I exclaimed after Harry and I were seated.
Taking the overwhelming sight into consideration, I realized that all of it had to be very expensive. Was the agency doing that well? I wondered.
"Do you realize that this is actually our first date?" Harry pointed out.
I gave it a little thought and realized that was true. For fear of being found out by Nikki, I had come up with excuses for every time Harry suggested that we go out. "That's true, and you went all out." I stated. "You know what that means right?"
I answered his puzzled look by saying, "You can't deliver anything less on our next date."
He laughed.
In a delightful surprise, the waiter came to our table with a bottle of wine, stating that it was compliments of the chef.
With equal level of precision and care, he poured the wine into Harry and I's glasses adding to the romantic atmosphere.
Looking at me charmingly, Harry raised his glass and as he did, I raised mine, clinking our glasses together.
Our dinner date had started of on an extremely good note.
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