When Love Bites

12 Dinner & Movies

Chapter 12 Dinner & Movies

We had a quiet Sunday and he worked a half a day on Monday. He had chosen a slightly dressier restaurant to go to. I was practically bouncing most of the day. I had chosen a pretty sapphire colored dress to wear. I curled my hair and pulled part of it up. I wore the necklace he got me for Christmas. I waited patiently for him to get ready. I didn't tell him that Lisa had been sending me guesses all day and so far she hadn't guessed it. I wouldn't have told her if she did, but it was funny all the same, at least to me.

I got dressed and ready to go. Naturally, I wore black. I was nervous and concerned but did the best I could to keep my apprehension under wraps. I had asked her not to openly tell anyone I was her boyfriend outside of her family but she did it anyway. I guess she was just too excited to keep that under wraps. I'd have much rather that they assumed. I left my hair down and let it curl. I grabbed my favorite black shirt and jeans and threw on my boots.

He looked so handsome, but he always did. He also looked so scared. I knew he would until he saw how normal Lisa and Brian were. He led me out to the car and put me in it. He was very quiet on the way to the restaurant, but he held my hand and attempted to smile all the way there. He let me out of the car and held my hand into the restaurant. We were right on time. Avi had called and made the reservations in my name. The hostess informed us that our party was already seated and she led us to the table in the back that Avi had requested. I waved at Lisa as we approached the table and her eyes got wide. They both stood up to greet us. Lisa hugged me and told me that she never would have guessed in my ear. I introduced Avi to both Lisa and Brian. He and Brian shook hands. He leaned in to hug Lisa. We took our seats and menus and ordered our drinks. I turned down wine after Friday night.

I put on my game face. I needed it to get through the first part of the evening. I settled into myself and set my frustration and hurt aside. I had a job to do. I started talking to Brian. "Lizzie said you were a bodyguard?"

Brian smiled at Avi. "Yeah, I work for a company as opposed to an individual person. I have gotten to meet some interesting people. Do you mind me saying that I love your music?"

"I appreciate it. Thank you. Can you say or is that a secret type thing?"

Brian laughed. "Nah. It's not a secret unless the movie studio dictates it during filming. After the movie is released I can talk about it. I mostly work for child actors. Usually ages 3 to 17. I love kids and I wouldn't mind having a bunch of them."

"I love them too. Little humans. They are so honest it hurts. A bunch would be nice if by bunch you mean three. I've always wanted three."

Lisa popped in. "Three is a very good number." She reached for Brian's hand. They smiled at each other. It was sweet. I put a hand on Avi's knee under the table and looked at Lisa. "You guys have been together, for what, a year now?"

Lisa giggled. "14 months last week. How long have you two been together?"

I looked at Avi. "Almost 9 months for us."

I suddenly felt like I had been hit by a mac truck. I wasn't ready for that. I couldn't believe that I wasn't, but I wasn't and I could not escape that. You'd think I would have been by then, but I wasn't. I did my best to curb the deer in the headlight feeling the covered me. Thankfully we had food, so I busied myself with that. I made sure to eat it slowly so I didn't choke on it.

We all followed Avi's lead and started eating. Lisa looked like she was thinking. She finished chewing and looked at Avi. "You know, I have known Lizzie for a long time. She was my guinea pig when I first started playing with makeup like 8 years ago. Did you know she has loved you since she first heard your voice on the Song Off?"