Bella Donna

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Present day

"Astrid breathe!" Heather uttered as she watched the blond pace in her small living room area. Damian was oblivious to his mom's nervousness as the toddler was occupied with watching reruns of Rugrats on the TV.

"How can I breathe?! I mean... what even possessed me to say yes to this date?!" Astrid muttered.

"Maybe because he's hot and you need to get laid?" The other woman commented. "Well you said he was hot but we both know taste varies."

"Yeah, but what if it's the same song and dance?" Astrid questioned. "The moment guys find out I have a kid..."

"If he blows you off then he's an ass," Heather stated. "However, you can't stereotype every guy only because of a few bad dates. Sure, some guys are dicks about it. Some guys don't mind. When you're fishing you'll never know what you'll get."

"You're not helping," she retorted.

"All I'm saying is perhaps he's an orca in a sea of seals," Heather remarked.

"Seals are cute. My dates were not." Astrid deadpanned "And now you're bringing in a killer whale?!"

"So I might have to work on my analogies," the brunette stated with her hands on her hips. "Go on this date, get some action, and see where it goes. If your date's an ass just kick him in the balls."

"I don't want to be arrested again!"

"Why? That's how you and I met..."

"Heather seriously. You should not be condoning assault since you're a cop!"

"Goooooooo!" Heather uttered while shoving Astrid out of her apartment. "Damian will be fine, we have dinner, you look fabulous and very...."

"Don't you dare!" Astrid cut her off with a roll of her eyes.

When she got in the elevator she could see her distorted reflection in the metal walls. She'd found one of her fancier dresses in the back of the closet. It was a coral blue maxi mini dress with short sleeves. Heather had been a peach to lend her a set of black heels which she claimed she never actually used since she was more of a tomboy. They had been bought by her brother and had sat in the back of her closet for ages. Astrid combined those with a black clutch purse and a sterling silver necklace with a blue pendant.

Both she and Hiccup had agreed to drive to the location themselves for the first date and when Astrid pulled up to the posh restaurant named Mangia Tutto she felt a bit ashamed at her beat-up-looking car. The restaurant was in the good part of town and the streets were lined with fancy cars. It sort of made her feel small. The valet's assessing stare at her vehicle did nothing to assuage her feelings as she handed him the keys and got her parking ticket.

She took in the ambiance as she walked into the restaurant. The building had high vaulted ceilings and the lighting was low to enhance the romantic mood. There were tables on the ground floor and a VIP section on the second floor that seemed to wrap around the inner wall in a sort of U-shape. A crystal chandelier hung over the open space, sparkling in the low lighting. The tables all had cream-colored tablecloths with a candle centerpiece. Astrid looked at the people seated but she could not spot Hiccup at any of them. He had texted her earlier that he had already arrived and had been seated.

"Can I help you ma'am?" The hostess asked as she had finished with the client that came before Astrid.

"Ah yes... I'm supposed to meet my date here. He said the reservation was under the name Hiccup?" she asked more than stated.

"Oh yes, Mister Hiccup's guest!" The hostess perked up. "Please follow me."

She had expected to be led to one of the tables on the ground floor but her brows shot up when the hostess beckoned her up the stairway towards the VIP section. She was led to a booth in the back where Hiccup sat with his back to the corner. Upon spotting Astrid he got up, nearly tripping, and greeted her warmly.