A Taste of You

26: Something Unfinished Between Us

I'm finally allowed to sleep uninterrupted. Ethan and I both make up for lost time and sleep until 11am. I wake up before him and when I get out of bed, I'm less dizzy. I still take it easy, relocating to the couch while Ethan heads to the kitchen to make coffee.

I am dying to know how last night went at the restaurant. It was the first Friday night I have missed in two years. Tonight will be the first Saturday night I have ever missed since opening. I text Ronnie.

Text from me: Hey Ronnie, how did everything go last night?

Text from Ronnie: It was really good. We did a lobster bisque encroute that killed! I'm at the market now, thinking braised short ribs for tonight.

Text from me: Maybe try that Cabernet chipotle sauce you were experimenting with awhile back.

Text from Ronnie: Brilliant! With a sweet potato puree. Yas! How are you doing, Alise? Everyone here is worried and asked about you.

Text from me: I think better. I'm less dizzy today, but still no memories yet.

Text from Ronnie: It'll come back.

Text from me: Ronnie, did Mateo show up?

Text from Ronnie: That's a long story for a different day, but yes, he's back at work. We're seeing how it goes.

Text from me: Please try to forgive him for whatever he did or said to you. He was drunk. We've all been there at some point.

She doesn't respond back so I continue.

Text from me: I'm meeting Aron's personal chef on Monday. She volunteered to assist for the last week of December and we have someone else lined up for a week in January. I'm sure it would be a demotion, but maybe one of these chefs will work out and want to stay on board long-term.

Text from Ronnie: Maybe. I have to get back to it.

Tone is impossible to read in texts, but I get the sense that Ronnie is not pleased about something. I'll have to ask her later.

Ethan peers over at me. "How's eveything at the restaurant?"

"Seems good. Ronnie is making braised short ribs with this cabernet chipotle sauce she concocted as tonight's special." I relay.

"That sounds amazing. How would you like to go have dinner there tonight?" He asks.

"Huh?"

"Let me take you to dinner at the most romantic restaurant in Seattle. It'll put your mind at ease about missing your first Saturday and your staff will get to see you're on the mend." He suggests.

It seems like a failproof plan, but I'm also nervous. What if I don't like what I see? I try to poke holes. "Are you sure you're okay with dining there? I mean, last time you ate there was when Vera broke up with you."

"All the more reason to replace that memory with fond memories of you. What do you say?" He presses.

"Alright." I agree.

"I'll call Ronnie and see when we can get in. I'm sure it's booked solid. It's a good thing I'm in good with the head chef." He says cheekily. I can't help but feel a little uneasy about this. Ethan seems really excited, though, and for that reason, I push through.

That afternoon he drops me off at my place for an unsupervised hour to get ready for dinner. The only time we could get in was 5:15. I shower and then perch on the bathtub to shave. Given my single-handed status, it's the safest option. I am having trouble reaching one particular angle, especially with my non-dominant hand. I bend over and finally get it, but as I sit back up I get overwhelmingly dizzy.