Connie's Cafe/Book Shop

Chapter 9 - The Date

Dean looked very attractive as Connie opened the door and greeted him. He leaned forward and gave her a light kiss on her cheek. She blushed slightly and they left.

"We can walk if you like, the weather seems warm enough or we can go in my car" he asked pointing to his BMW parked on the side of the road.

"Let's walk" answered Connie, "It isn't far and as you say the weather seems fine."

They fell into step and just a few minutes up the road Dean slipped his hand into hers. She didn't pull away, quite the opposite, it felt good, almost natural.

As they walked Dean asked her how her day had been and they made idle conversation until they reached the restaurant some fifteen minutes later.

"Ah Dean, Welcome" called out 'Tony' as we entered the small restaurant.

"Evening Tony," answered Dean, following the waiter down the restaurant to a secluded table in the corner.

He pulled out the chair for Connie to sit down, "Thank you" Connie smiled at Tony as she sat down.

He gave them their menus just as another waiter came with a couple of tall glasses of water. "Would you like to choose from the wine menu?" Tony asked handing Dean the wine menu.

"Would you like red or white wine?" Dean asked me "or something else?"

"You go ahead and choose" answered Connie with a smile, "I'm happy with either" she added.

Dean chose the wine and the waiter left.

"It seems that he knows you quite well, do you come here often I thought the place had just opened?" she asked Dean as they settled down to look through the menu, "perhaps you can recommend a dish?"

Dean laughed, "Yes, yes and Yes" he laughed. "Yes it has only been opened for about two maybe three months and Yes I do come here quite a bit I guess, usually for lunch, if fact I think this is the first time I've been here for dinner. as far as recommendations go I think the rib eye steak is fabulous"

Connie smiled, she liked his quiet confidence, his knowledge and also the fact that this was the first time he had come here for dinner indicating that he hadn't brought other 'female friends' here.

"Actually," he added, "since this place has only been opened about three months, I guess they are being friendly to make sure we come come again!"

After a few minutes the waiter returned to take their orders and the evening passed away quickly.

The food was excellent and the whole evening was wonderful. Conversation was easy. They talked about everything under the sun, his job, her shop, music, food, holidays, nothing too personal.

After the meal, he took her hand again as they walked back to her apartment. When they arrived at the door he leaned down and gently touched her lips with his. Connie could feel the tingle right down to her toes.

"Maybe we could meet up again tomorrow?" he softly asked as he straightened up.

"Yes that would be nice," she whispered.

"How about I pick you up around lunch time, if the weather holds we can go down to the park and have a picnic?"

"Sounds great, I can leave Tim to handle the shop, he won't mind"

"Great, I'll come by around twelve thirty?"

"Make it one" Connie countered.

Dean leaned down and gave her a lingering, soft kiss, "See you tomorrow"

He turned round and Connie watched him walk to his car, he turned and waved good bye as he got in and drove away.

Connie closed the door and walked up the stairs to her apartment.

She was elated, on cloud nine. He was such a wonderful person, she marvelled once again at her luck. She could hardly believe he had just wondered into her shop and into her life. Maybe good things did happen now and again, this was certainly one of them.