Serendipity by the Sea

Chapter Ten

Sarah paced back and forth nervously in her apartment. She wiped down the kitchen counter about eight times and went to the floor-length mirror in her bedroom to look at herself. 

She wore a black sleeve-less dress that landed just below her knees. Her black high heels made the muscles in her legs tense and she grabbed a black sweater from her closet, as she checked her brunette hair once more in the mirror.  As she walked to the bathroom to put on some lip-gloss, she caught the time out of the corner of her eye.  6:55 p.m.

Her stomach turned nervously as she thought about the night ahead. She took a deep breath and the apartment buzzer rang loudly.

“I’ll be right down.” Sarah said into the speaker, which rang into the apartment lobby.

As she waited for the elevator doors to open, she checked her makeup, her outfit and her purse one last time.  Her eyes widened as the elevator doors open and she saw the site in front of her.

Harry stood with his back to her and wore a white shirt and black pants.  As he turned, she noticed the top few buttons of his shirt undone, which showed a few tattoos near his collarbone.  She smiled.

“You look beautiful.” He breathed softly, as he walked towards her.

“Thank you.”  The nerves quickly disappeared as she saw his face and the smile forming in the corners of his mouth.

“I’m just parked outside. ”  Harry put his hand on the small of her back, as he led her outside of the apartment lobby.

Harry held out his hand, as he opened the door of the black AUDI a6, for Sarah to get into the passenger seat.  He slowly walked around the car and took a deep breath before getting inside.

“Nice car.” Sarah smiled and buckled her seatbelt.

“Thanks.” Harry started the car and looked behind him to ensure no cars were coming before he pulled out of the parking spot.

“So, where are you taking me for dinner?”  Sarah asked, trying to start up the conversation so there was no silence between them.

“A little place that I like to go to.”  Harry answered and turned left at a traffic light.

“I hope it isn’t Starbucks.” Sarah joked to lighten the mood.

Harry laughed, “No, definitely not Starbucks.”

The pair talked casually for the next few minutes; Harry asking how her day at work was and he mentioned he had a meeting all day.  Sarah didn’t push further about his work, but wanted to know more.

They arrived at a restaurant called “Anna’s” on Sunset Boulevard and Harry noticed up ahead a crowd of people on the sidewalk.  He pulled down a side street and parked his car.  Sarah looked at him puzzled.

“V.I.P. entrance.” He said and pointed towards a door on the side of the building.

The pair got out of the car and walked up to the side entrance door. Harry opened it and Sarah stepped inside to a kitchen filled with men and women in white coats. The men and women were preparing food, yelling for ingredients and pushing past each other.  Harry grabbed Sarah’s hand and led her through the kitchen, as if he’d done this before many times.

“Julian. Thanks for much for the table. I really appreciate it.”  Harry said to the man, as they walked through the busy restaurant. 

“Harry, you’re welcome here any time. My staff are getting used to you in the kitchen.”   Julian, the restaurant owner, said to Harry as he pulled the chair out for Sarah to sit down.

Sarah kept quiet for most of their interaction; watching the exchange between the two handsome men.  Harry looked at Sarah and saw she looked bored, so he shook Julian’s hand and sat down.

“Come here often, huh?” Sarah asked as Harry opened his menu. 

“Um. Yeah. I’m staying right down the street.” He lied.