Impromptu Date Night

8:30 pm

I checked my reflection one last time as the elevator doors slid open with a bing. I hopelessly tried to calm my nerves as my heels clicked on the marble floor of the fancy restaurant I was meeting Victor and some other big shot investors at.

This place was well beyond my pay grade and the atmosphere combined with the anxiety of pitching my company to several intimidating businessmen had me nauseated.

The hostess led me through the entire dining area to a private booth in the back, when I stepped around the privacy curtain I was surprised to see that it was just Victor at the large table.

He stood and greeted me, pulling out a chair for me like an absolute gentleman. I thanked him and tried to hide the blush I felt creeping into my cheeks.

"I just got a text from my associate, their flight was redirected last minute and they won't be joining us."

"Oh." if I wasn't blushing before I was now. "Should we just leave?"

"Nonsense, we're already seated, I know you're hungry and the food is quite good here." he said matter-of-factly handing me a menu "I recommend any of the chicken dishes."

"Thanks." my eyes widened at the prices next to the meals; each entrée was almost a weeks salary!

Victor must have been watching me because he laughed and said "Dinner is on me, as an apology for my associates cancelation."

"Oh I couldn't…"

"Please. Just order whatever you like and enjoy yourself. You won't regret it."

I'd never been around Victor outside of work related activities, he seemed more relaxed and there was a warmth in his eyes that I'd never seen before, and so far he hadn't called me an idiot. All things considered this night was going very well!

After receiving our food Victor poured me a glass of the white wine that the sommelier had recommended paired well with my chicken Cordon Bleu. I tasted it tentatively and smiled at Victor "Tastes like apples!"

"It is apple Chardonnay." Victor laughed again, in all the months I'd known him he had never laughed this much, it was both delightful and unsettling.

"I don't know much about wine. I'm not much of a drinker."

"Lightweight?"

"Very much."

"No more of this for you then." he said setting the bottle aside and taking a sip from his own glass.

I couldn't help but watch him, I was attracted to every part of him, even his sharp tongue and cutting words made me like him more.

He's your boss, idiot.

The thought unexpectedly made me smile, oh boy, I was definitely in trouble.