One Nights Mistake

Chapter 7: Date Night

Alan

As I drive to the Italian restaurant, I can't help but sneak glances at Crystal beside me. She's lost in thought, her eyes gazing out the window, and her leg bouncing up and down. "I'm not going to kidnap you. You can calm down you know." I say breaking the silence.

She flashes me an annoyed look and stops bouncing her leg. What's she so nervous about? It's just a date. Just as I'm thinking this, Crystal pulls out her lipstick and applies it while I try to focus on the road. I can't help but sneak a glance, drawn to the subtle curve of her lips. She catches me staring and raises an eyebrow. "Keep your eyes on the road, Alan, I don't feel like dying today," she says with a not-so-playful warning.

I clear my throat, feeling a slight blush rise to my cheeks. "Sorry, sorry. I was just... admiring the view," I say with a smile.

Crystal chuckles, "The view, huh? Well, you can admire the view from a very much bigger window that is in front of you."

I smile back, feeling a surge of confidence wash over me. "Yeah, I guess so, but the one beside me is even better." Crystal's eyes drop, her gaze faltering for a moment before she looks back at me, a hint of flustered energy in her movements. She tries to compose herself, but I can tell I've gotten under her skin.

We continue driving, the tension between us noticeable but not uncomfortable. I can feel her gaze on me, and I know she's sizing me up, trying to figure me out. I'm doing the same, wondering what makes her tick.

We pull up to the restaurant, and I put the car in park. "We're here, are you ready?" I say, turning to her with a smile.

Crystal's smile is subtle, her eyes hinting at a mix of emotions. "Yeah," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do this."

I get out to open Crystal's door. Just as she's about to open it herself, I close it, and her face flashes with irritation. But then I open it again and offer her my hand, and she takes it, trying to hide her smile.

As we walk towards the restaurant, I hand my keys to the valet, and as I do, I can't help but give him a warning look. "One scratch and your ass is getting fucked up." The poor boy's eyes widen and it's viable he's scared to death but I gotta make sure that nothing happens to my baby.

Crystal rolls her eyes and apologizes to the boy whose name tag reads 'Pablo', "Sorry about him. Seems that he has no home training or manners" She hits me softly on the arm, as if to say "Stop being so rude." I chuckle at the action.

As we stroll towards the restaurant entrance, I glance over at Crystal beside me. "Hey, my car is my baby," I say with a chuckle, nodding towards the valet taking care of my prized possession.

Crystal raises an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. "Ew," she says, her voice teasing. "I don't see why men always call their vehicles their 'babies'."

I grin, enjoying the banter. "Same reason women call their plants their babies," I reply, offering her my arm.

She laughs, taking my arm, her eyes sparkling. "That's different," she insists, her voice light.

I offer her a sly smile. "How so?" I ask, curious.

She leans in, her voice conspiratorial. "The plants can actually hear us. You're talking to an object that goes vroom vroom."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Right..." I say, my voice dripping with unbelief. We arrive at the entrance, and I reach ahead to open the door for her. We walk into the restaurant together, leaving the valet and my threats behind.

As we enter the restaurant, the hostess greets us with a smile. "Do you have a reservation?" she asks. "Yes, we do," I reply, obviously getting annoyed because she should already know who I am. She must be new. "What's the name under?" She asks typing something into her computer. "Alan" I reply. Once she finds our names in the little computer of hers she grabs 2 menus and tells us to follow her.