To Find You

10

His eyes light up as his lips curl into the widest smile I've seen on him. He looks genuinely, deeply pleased by my answer.

"Thank you" he says, squeezing my hand a little.

He sounds like he means those two small words with all his heart.

Desperate to leave this topic as fast as I possibly can — so as not to make a fool of myself — I direct my attention back to the menu.

The food looks amazing, I'm practically drooling as I scan through the menu. Being a massive foodie, it's sometimes difficult to make up my mind - but that truffled chicken is actually calling out to me today! It's served in a white mushroom & truffle sauce with some salad but I think I want to swap the salad for the dauphinoise potatoes.

I'm a sucker for truffles and a potato based dish any day!

Although, truffles tend to be quite pricey and for some reason, my menu seems to be devoid of all prices.

Wait.

"I know what this is", I think rolling my eyes. He's trying to get me to pick what I want without considering the cost. Well the joke's on him! I'll find other ways to keep his wallet intact.

Guess I'm sticking with the garden salad then. Y a y. Can you feel my excitement?

"So, what have you settled on love?" his raspy voice sounds out. "If you've actually managed to settle on anything" I hear before I see that stupid smirk on his perfect face.

Determined to beat him at this game, I respond innocently "oh I'll just go for the truffled chicken" topping it off with an angelic smile.

"Mhm" he counters, "with the garden salad?" He inquires, an amused expression gracing his face.

"Yes, with the garden salad" I reply as calmly as I can, desperately trying to hold on to my fast falling façade.

Leaning forward slowly, he locks his twinkling eyes on mine, "you hate garden salad" a smile slowly stretching across his face.

"Uhhh -  no - I don't" I splutter, "it's not my favourite salad but I don't hate it."

"Uh huh. So, is that why you told me last week when we were getting lunch, that you would rather — and I quote — boil a pot of rice grain by grain than eat a garden salad?" Looking as smug as a cat who got the cream.

Damn him. And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for his meddling memory.

Cue me having a sulk in 3, 2, there it is!

"I know what you're trying to do Alexandra, and it's really, very sweet of you, considering I had the menus done this way specifically" he says stroking my cheek whilst my eyelids flutter closed. "but you don't have to do that. I want you to enjoy the night as much as you possibly can. That is what will make me happy, okay?" The smile on his face is so pure it makes me forget what I was even trying to be mad at him for, I find myself nodding automatically.

"So do us both a favour and get the bloody potatoes hmm?" He says with that smirk returning to adorn his face and his eyes dancing with laughter.

There he is.

Struggling to stop myself from rolling my eyes, I squint my eyes, point at him and say, "you're this close to making your way onto my shit list mister, watch it"

"Ooooh I'm so scared" waving his hands around before taking a sip of the champagne he'd ordered. It's crisp and refreshing, definitely the nicest champagne I've had in a while. The waiter silently refills our glasses as we drain them and this is about to be my third glass.