A Taste of You

2: Not What I Was Expecting

I walk out onto the dining room floor. The hostess comes over and points to the table requesting to see me. I set my shoulders back and plaster a smile on my face. As I come around the corner, I turn to introduce myself and am struck by the gorgeous man sitting there, dining alone. His eyes are the brightest blue I have ever seen in person and he has a jaw that would put the hunkiest superheros to shame.

I stammer through my usual introduction. "Go...good after...ahm, evening. My name is Alise Ballas. I'm...um...the operator...um, owner and executive chef here. At C'est Fini. How may I assess...I mean, assist you this evening?"

Smooth, Alise. Real smooth.

He turns his ice blue eyes to me, scanning me from head to toe. I start to flush under his gaze as the silence stretches between us. He gestures to the open seat across from him, rising from his own seat. What a gentleman.

Although I typically don't join patrons at their tables, I make an exception. He sits and addresses me in a deep voice that matches his exterior. "Chef Ballas. Not what I was expecting, but nonetheless wonderful to meet you. I'm Ethan Garcetti."

"And what were you expecting, if you don't mind me asking, Mr. Garcetti?" I ask, leaning forward in my seat.

He eyes me for a second and then rubs his smooth chin. "Not someone quite so young, beautiful, and female."

Is he flirting with me?! If so, I like where this is going.

I smile at him and look up from behind lowered lashes. "Well, thank you for the compliment. I see you had the roasted chicken tonight. How was your meal?"

He breathes out a sigh and pats his flat abdomen. "Exquisite. Your creation?"

I nod proudly. Folks, especially hot ones, complimenting my food never gets old.

He leans forward and says in a low tone. "Your husband must be a very satisfied man."

Oh, he is so flirting! Better let him know I'm single. "Actually, no husband or boyfriend to keep fat and happy. Now, did you just ask to see me to compliment the chef or...?"

He ignores my attempt to move forward with his business. "Wow, that's hard to believe. Well, I'm sure you get plenty of offers once they get a taste of you."

I blush hard again. That sounded so dirty! I wonder if he realizes what he just said. He is staring at me intensely. I don't know how to respond so I just gaze back.

"Well, um the real reason why I asked to see you is...um, I'm planning to ask my girlfriend to marry me and I hear this is the most romantic place in town to do it." He says almost apologetically.

I go cold, blinking rapidly. I could not have heard that correctly. Girlfriend? Proposal?

Of course, hot guy primer 101. Flatter a chick before asking for a favor. Fuck my life.

I smile tightly. Best to proceed professionally even though I really want to kick him in the balls and leave.
"Well that's what the masses say so who am I to argue? When and what did you have in mind?"

"The sooner, the better. Having the ring makes me nervous." He laughs.

I don't and reply blandly. "Weekday or weekend?"

"A Friday or Saturday would work." He replies.

I look out at the busy restaurant. "Fridays are better for proposals. A little quieter. How can we assist?"

"Well I've never done this before so you're the expert. What do you recommend?" He tries to flatter me as he asks my opinion.

I sigh and run through the many options. We don't recommend hiding the ring in food, although not everyone listens, but we can do plate callouts, floral displays, in wine glasses, and so on and so on. I don't say it, but it's all schmaltzy if you ask me. If I ever get a proposal, he better not do it in a restaurant full of strangers.

Ethan looks overwhelmed. "Um, can we plan for Friday and I can get back to you about the method?"

I take out my phone and note the date. "Done. Anything else?"

"Um, should I call the restaurant or you directly? Do we have to arrange getting you a ring? I mean, getting the ring to you." He corrects himself.

And my cheeks redden again. "I will take personal responsibility for this since you took time to speak with me directly when you could have easily arranged this with the hostess."

My annoyance is starting to shine through despite my best efforts. I wonder if he notices or even cares for that matter. He's probably oblivious. He's in love and getting engaged. He only needs to worry about one woman from now on. God, now I'm getting bitter.

"I had to tell you how delicious your food was." He schmoozes me again. "So can I have your number?"

My eyes snap up to meet his. Oh yeah, for getting the ring and deciding the mode. Right.

I withhold my sigh. "Sure thing. May I see your phone?"

He smirks, taking his phone out of the inner pocket of his suit jacket. As he unlocks his phone, I catch a photo of him and who I'm assuming is his girlfriend on his lock screen. She's blonde and gorgeous.

As he hands me his phone, I hate that the small touch from his hand sends tingles throughout my body. Apparently, my body hasn't registered yet that this guy is off-limits.

"If all goes as planned, you're the last single woman I'll have asked for a number from." He awkwardly points out. I noticeably cringe and he quickly recognizes his error. "I'm sorry. That was douche-y. I'm not that type of guy. I don't know why I said that."

I ignore him. "So, um call me when you have the mode decided and we can arrange to meet and get the ring. I work every day but tomorrow and Mon, but could meet you early in the day before I start my shift."

I can't get out of this awkward situation fast enough. I stand and prepare to walk away. He lightly grabs my arm and there is that spark again.

"Alise? Do you have time to share dessert with me? I'd love to see what types of sweets you have to offer." It's an odd request that catches me off-guard.

"No, I have to get back on the line, but I'll send my pastry chef Mateo out with a dessert sampler. Good to meet you, Ethan. Congratulations on your engagement." I decline and reassert my professionalism.

Can this get any more awkward? I push through the doors into the kitchen and hang my head in exhaustion and defeat.

"Who's the hottie? Did you just get a number?" I look up in response to Ronnie's prying questions and see Mateo waiting to hear the answer.

He looks concerned and I know why. His invitation to have dinner on Monday has not been forgotten.

I call to him, ignoring Ronnie's question. "Mateo, table 31 needs a dessert sampler. On the house. He's proposing to his girlfriend here next week."

He nods and gets to work. Ronnie looks disappointed. I feel how she looks. Time to throw myself back into my work to deal. As usual.

I manage to stay busy enough that Mateo never gets a chance to follow-up on his invite. While I enjoy our hook-ups, a relationship with him would complicate things too much.

Thankfully we have the next couple days off from each other and hopefully he'll realize on his own that this is a bad idea. But it's never that easy, is it?