How We Found Us | ✔️

Chapter Fourteen

The second Gabriel and I stepped into Chateau de le Fleur, I regretted my clothing choice. I didn't own many dresses, I had enough to wear on dates or for other special occasions, but otherwise I stuck with jeans. So when Gabriel had finally called to setup our date, and Cassie wouldn't let me back out, I thought a simple spaghetti strap sun dress would be perfectly fine. That was until he took me to one of the fanciest restaurants in town. I wished I'd taken Cassie up on her offer to go shopping, I was woefully underdressed among the slinky black, red velvet, and genuinely goddess-like dresses of the rest of the women.

I nervously tugged on the thin strap of the purse I borrowed from Cassie and follow our hostess toward our table. Instantly I felt disapproving eyes fall on me. Sure it was probably all in my head, but I still couldn't shake the insecure feeling plaguing me. Gabriel pulled the chair out for me when I reached our table and I smoothed the underside of my dress, hoping I didn't reveal the even less flattering underside of my clothing. He removed his suit jacket and placed it on the back of his chair before sitting across from me.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" a waitress asked.

"Water for me, thanks," I said, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.

"I'll take a glass of Chardonnay," Gabriel said as he handed the woman his driver's license. It hadn't fully dawned on me that he was in Graduate school and thus significantly older than me until I watched him order alcohol with ease.

"So how old are you, anyway?" I asked when the waitress was out of ear shot.

He smiled and brushed a hand against his slicked backed hair. I wasn't sure if the gesture was meant to smooth his hair further or an act of some kind or bragging arrogance. His skin was disturbingly orange, he'd clearly added another layer of spray on tanner, arrogance seemed like the last thing he should have. It took all of my strength not to start whistling a song from Willie Wanka.

"I'll be twenty-four next month."

"And it doesn't bother you that I'm a few months away from being twenty?"

He shrugged but didn't answer. Instead he grabbed one of the menus and began reading. I tried to contain my sigh and followed his lead. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest at the sight of the prices. A simple half plate of chicken was twenty dollars. I looked over the top of the menu to watch Gabriel. He didn't seem to bat a single eye at the prices and was casually flipping through the pages. I supposed it shouldn't have surprised me, according to the menu his glass of wine alone was ten dollars. We hadn't even had our dinner yet and already this was the fanciest date I'd ever been on. I had to resist the urge to ask him how he could afford the place. My obsession with money lately would certainly be a romance killer.

"So," I said, trying to ignore the prices that wanted to jump out and strangle me. "What's good here? I've never been here before?"

"Well the Calamari is exquisite."

I resisted the urge to gag at his suggestion of squid. If he suggested snails next, the date would be over.

"Though I do say the lamb is my personal favorite. It's marinated in just a hint of Merlot." He kissed his fingers and smiled.

I sunk deeper and deeper into my fish out of water fear. I'd never had lamb. Hell, I'd never been at a restaurant where lamb was even an option. Cheeseburgers, processed chicken, and spaghetti—those were the kind of restaurants I frequented. A glance at the fifteen dollar price tag and there was no way I'd be getting lamb. I knew Gabriel would pay for the meal, but that didn't stop me from worrying about the cost. In the end, I went with good old fashioned, safe, wonderful chicken.