Changing Seasons

Sixty-Seven

****

Krist and Atira took an Uber downtown. They had been planning to drink, and even if they weren't, parking was expensive and a bitch to find on New Year's Eve.

Krist took her to El Gaucho for dinner. He'd booked a reservation and heard good things about the spot from several people but never had gone because he didn't do upscale places. Not to mention, their menu looked expensive as hell. But it was New Year's Eve and his first real real date with Atira.

"This is nice," Atira whispered as the hostess led them to their table.

Krist nodded appreciatively, "Hell yeah, it is," he agreed.

They were given a few minutes to review the menu. Atira insisted they try the escargot. Krist crinkled his nose at the idea of eating snail but fuck it, he would try it. He also ordered the lobster and shrimp cocktail as a starter. They both ordered cocktails. Atira had gotten a strawberry-lemongrass Cosmo, and Krist chose a sweet and spicy tequila. For dinner, they ordered the Chateaubriand, which was supposed to be a bomb-ass steak made out of hella tender beef.

"I ain't gonna lie. I've never been somewhere so nice," Krist told her with a grin.

Atira sipped her cosmopolitan, "Never?"

"Never. My mom and Bill go to places like this, but I've always been hella white trash. Take me to the buffet or taco truck, and I'm good. Sheeeit." he laughed.

"Oh shush, you aren't white trash at all," Atira told him kindly.

Krist laughed, "Bet. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. I just ain't fancy like y'all."

Their starters were delivered, and Atira forced Krist to pose with the escargot so she could snap a photo. Krist flashed a corny grin to make his girl happy. They dug into their appetizers. To his surprise, the snail actually wasn't bad at all. It had a texture similar to oyster, and the herb butter it had been cooked in was delicious.

Another round of cocktails was ordered, and the drinks were hella strong. If it wasn't for the food, they both would have been pretty buzzed.

"I know I keep saying this, but goddamn you're pretty," Krist told her, cheeks flushed from his drinks.

Atira smiled, "I am so glad I'm here with you. Like not just here, at this restaurant, but, like, here with you."

Kristi swallowed his steak, "Me too, baby. Fuck, I don't even know what I would do without you." He reached across the table, squeezing her hand. "I'd be hella lost."

****

After they finished their cocktails, Krist paid the hefty bill, leaving a hundred-dollar tip. Dinner had been bomb as hell, but his bank account definitely couldn't handle it on a regular basis.

He ordered another Uber to take them to their New Year's Eve cruise. Atira insisted they take a selfie as they waited. She wanted to show off how handsome her man was on Facebook.

"Look how good we look," she showed him the photo she had taken.

Krist leaned in, smiling, "We do look pretty hot."

Atira kissed him, "Yeah, we do."

Their Uber approached the curb, and Krist held the passenger door for Atira so she could step into the vehicle. He took a moment to take in how beautiful she was. It blew his mind that she was with a lame like him.

****

"Are you going to dance with me?" Atira asked, slipping her hand into his as they boarded the ship.