Date in Disguise

by Laura Westbrook

  “Very funny,” he said. “I was talking about you. Sapphires suit you, I think. Is it your birthstone?”

  “Ruby. But hey, I like the color blue. It’s a classy color.” I had no idea why he was checking out necklaces he thought would look good on me. If he knew what I was up to, he wouldn’t want to buy me anything, not even tonight’s dinner.

  “Maybe one day,” he said with a glimmer in his eye. My stomach did a backflip at the thought of a man even entertaining getting me something like that. I knew I shouldn’t let my self-image be tied to a flashy item, but it made me feel that little bit more special. Talk was cheap, though, and I was well aware of that.

  “And here we are.” He stopped in front of a restaurant with several signs I couldn’t read.

  “What kind of place is it?”

  He lowered his voice once we entered. “This is the best Vietnamese restaurant in the city, possibly the state. It’s only open five nights a week, and nobody can get in without a reservation.”

  “Hello, good evening,” the woman behind the podium said. “Name, please?”

  “Walsh.”

  After a moment of note checking, she motioned. “This way, please.”

  She led us to a booth off to the side in a quiet corner. There seemed to be fewer tables in this area compared to the rest of the restaurant, but that could’ve been my imagination. Candles littered the space, putting less pressure on the lighting in the room and giving off a comforting, smoky scent.

  “What do you think so far?” he asked once we sat.

  “It’s different. I’ve never been to a Vietnamese place before. I don’t know the first thing to order, but the decoration is beautiful. I might have to check out this type of place more often.” If I could find one at a much lower price point. There had to be some of them.

  I picked up the menu and gave it a look over. It only took me a half-minute to figure out I was clueless. I didn’t even have a frame of reference on where to begin. Nothing sounded familiar, not even from movies or pop culture.

  “See anything you like?” he asked.

  “It all looks tempting.” I winced. Just tell him you don’t know what you’re looking at. He’s not going to think less of you.

  A man in a traditional, long dress stood at the end of our table. “Good evening. Thank you for visiting us tonight. Would you like any help with the menus? I’d be happy to describe dishes for you.”

  Gavin gave me a sidelong glance. “No, I think we’re ready to order.”

  We are? I couldn’t think of a way to signal to him without outright interrupting.

  Gavin stacked the two menus together and slid them over. “We’ll start out with some goi cuon. Remind me, do you do the southern style with the sauce?”

  The waiter nodded. “We do.”

  “Excellent. An order of that, please. For our entrees, she’ll have the cao lau, and I’ll have the pho.”

  “And to drink?”

  “I’ll have a glass of your rice wine.”

  The waiter turned to me. “And you, ma’am?”

  “I’ll have the same.”

  After the waiter left, I said, “I’ve never had rice wine before.”

  “And the dishes?”

  “I’ve…never had them either.”

  He chuckled. “Rice wine is different, but it’s good. I like a little bit of different.”

  “So what did you order for us? Is it something I’ll like?”

  “I think so. They’re good starter dishes. The appetizer I ordered are like spring rolls, and as for the entrees…you’ll see.”

  “I said I’d try to be adventurous for dinner, and you’re not one to disappoint.”

  “That’s what I aim for. So how’s your day been?”

  “Great. I volunteered today. There were a few days I was away from it, which I don’t like to be.”

  “You’re very passionate about working with animals.”

  “I am. Everything will be fine without me there, but I’d like to think I have a way with them.”

  “Do you have a favorite kind to work with?”

  “That’s hard to say. It’s not everyone’s choice, but I love meerkats.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Really? I’ve been to the zoo here before, and there were a lot more interesting animals.”

  “Honestly, they’re my favorite. Haven’t you ever seen them eat something? They’re like chipmunks how they hold their food and nibble on it.”

  “I didn’t see them. I think when I went, it was before that exhibit existed.”

  “They’re cute. Trust me. Although, that isn’t my all-time favorite.”

  “What is then?”

  “Promise you won’t laugh.”

  “Okay, I promise.”

  “Peafowl. You know, peacocks and peahens.”

  He rubbed the back of his hand over his lips, pretending to scratch an itch but really just covering his broken promise. “Oh really?”

  “You said you wouldn’t laugh.”

  “I’m sorry. Feeling like I’m not supposed to only made me want to do it more. It’s interesting, I swear. Why peacocks?”

  “When I was a kid, my parents took me on a vacation to Hawaii. Both my brothers were at summer camp, so they couldn’t go, so it was a special thing for me, something just the three of us shared. I pretended I was their favorite and only wanted me on the trip. Anyway, we visited a park and there were a bunch of them wandering around, like the entire place was theirs. I’ve been hooked on them since.”

  He spread his hands. “I’ve never seen one in person. I might have on TV, but it wasn’t making any sounds.”

  “Oh, you should hear when they do! They make this long, yelping, crying sound when they make their calls.”

  “And that’s a good thing?” he asked with a smile.

  “You wouldn’t say that if you could actually hear them. It’s fascinating. It almost has a sorrowful quality to it.”

  “You sure know how to sell it.”

  I playfully shoved his arm. “Oh stop. Once you hear it, you’ll be hooked. I’m telling you.”

  The waiter arrived with a plate. Steam wafted up to the ceiling as it slid to the center of the table.

  “Wow, this looks exotic. What is it again?”

  “It’s called goi cuon. It’s a spring roll made from greens and minced pork. Sometimes shrimp. I usually go with the northern version, where they use a clear rice paper to wrap them in, but today I’m feeling adventurous, so I ordered the southern version with the banana and star fruit.”

  He wasn’t lying about the banana part of it, although I expected the inside part of the banana to be the part included, not the outside. “So, do you unwrap it first?”

  Picking one up, he rotated it so I could get a good look at it. It was all green, wrapped tight by what I assumed were the banana peels, steamed or cooked so they laid flat. “Nope. You eat it just like this and dip it in this peanut sauce. It’s delicious.” As if to demonstrate, he dipped it into the small bowl and took the first bite.

  I picked up my first one and did the same. The peanut sauce was unlike anything I’d ever tried before—well, all of it was. The sauce was so thick and rich that it took me a few moments to wrap my mind around the flavor. He was right; it was delicious.

  “I think I’ve found a new favorite.”

  He picked up another. “I’m telling you, you’ll find more than one tonight. This place is great.”

  “Taken many women here?”

  “Honestly, no. You’re the first, at least in this context. I’ve had some business lunches here before, mainly when I want to impress clients.”

  “And are you trying to impress me?”

  He nodded. “Absolutely. Are you?”

  I laughed. “Hopelessly impressed. Although more by the five Vietnamese words you know.”

  “Brace yourself, then, because I actually know seven. I can say hello in Vietnamese so well, it would make your head spin.”

  “You c
ould say more than that, and I’d think you said it all perfectly, if done with enough confidence. Which you have no lack of.”

  “Why thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment. Back to your other question—it might surprise you to know I don’t date very often.”

  “Oh?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t want to date just anyone. Sure, there are options, but that’s not good enough for me.”

  “What is?”

  “Someone I really connect with. Someone who isn’t after something else.”

  I froze mid-dip with my second piece. It had to have been a coincidence. “Sure. You’re a successful man. I’m sure plenty of women see only that.” I carefully gauged the intensity of his gaze, and it seemed a little more than usual, but that could simply be the subject matter.

  “If I was thinking straight back then, I would’ve paid more attention to dating back when my company first started. Back when I didn’t have anything.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well, because then you might not be sitting here with me.”

  He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “I didn’t think before I spoke. That’s true. I’m glad I am.”

  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed myself. Audric would certainly be surprised too if he knew where I was. He’d probably be mad it didn’t go through him first. If caught, I’d simply say I was taking the initiative.

  My phone was turned off and in my purse, and I never once thought to bring it out. It hadn’t been on my mind since Gavin had called me. On the drive there, I asked myself why I was going at all. As I watched him reach for his third piece, happily munching away, I realized it was because I genuinely enjoyed being around him.

  And it wasn’t just that. Looking over at him caught more than his eating habits. The way his shirt barely contained his well-formed shoulders turned my gaze into something closer to mental undressing. It was my fault, really, thinking I could have sex with him and not feel anything afterward, although the feeling inside me just then took careful notes of how his biceps filled out his sleeves.

  Even just the way he lifted the spring roll to his mouth contracted those muscles, as if he were lifting a forty-pound dumbbell, or whatever weight a man who looked like him lifted. And he clearly did. I had no doubt about that. Apparently, I didn’t feel complete until I’d taken in everything, and the few times my leg brushed up against his felt like smacking against a fence post with how hard it was. He did leg presses too, I decided.

  “What’s that?” I asked. I’d completely missed the question.

  “I asked what you think of the appetizer.”

  I fanned my face a few times while collected myself enough to answer the question.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. I just need to visit the restroom a moment.”

  Once there, I was able to breathe properly again. I needed to get a hold of myself. I couldn’t exactly form into words why I was having a moment. He’d just have to pick up on the signs to know what I was feeling, but then, who knew if I was giving off the right signals. Ugh.

  I leaned against the sink and stared at myself in the mirror. The countertop felt cool under my palms. After a good half-minute, I was ready to return and think about more than the man’s muscles.

  Dinner still hadn’t hit the table by the time I returned, and Gavin pointed to the last spring roll. “I saved you the last piece.”

  “That was nice of you.” They were tasty, and I certainly didn’t mind finishing off the plate.

  “Feeling better?”

  “I am. Thank you.”

  He leaned against the table. “So, tell me about your brothers.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Faye

  “You mentioned them when you talked about the Hawaii trip,” Gavin said. “I don’t think you brought them up much otherwise.”

  I took my time spreading the napkin across my lap. “I haven’t? Well, I’m afraid they’re not very interesting. A person like you would likely find them rather dull.”

  I didn’t break eye contact while he took that answer in. “I see. What do they do?”

  “They work in fashion.” Mostly the truth. Or at least, it used to be far more true. Watches are a form of fashion. Even he’d agree with that.

  Gavin nodded. “That’s interesting. Do they design everything themselves?”

  “They work with a team of designers, and they all collaborate on what to come out with.”

  “What kind of fashion?”

  “Accessories, mainly.” I hoped he’d leave it at that. The back of my neck started to tingle. Does he know something?

  “What sort of—”

  Just then, the waiter walked up with two bowls. Neither of which I recognized much of, although I was pretty sure I spotted pork sliced into thin sheets.

  “Thank you,” Gavin said and pulled the bowl closer toward him. “Are you ready to hear what yours is?”

  “I’m ready.”

  “It’s called cao lau, a dish from central Vietnam. On top of the bed of rice flour noodles is bean sprouts and slices of pork. Then the crunchy things are pork rind croutons. The light soup is flavored with mint.”

  My mouth watered. “I can’t wait to bite into one of those croutons. I’m pretty sure I’ve tried each of the things before—well, other than the croutons—but never together like this.”

  “I usually get it, but I decided to change it up. I’m a little jealous, to be honest. I’d go for a bite, but that wouldn’t be a second date kind of thing to do.”

  “So you consider the other night our first date?”

  He shrugged. “Sure, why not? More memorable than most people’s first date.”

  “You can have some. I wouldn’t mind. Besides, we’ve…”

  “We have,” he said with a smile.

  “What did you order?”

  “I ordered pho, which I recently learned was pronounced fuh.”

  “Given how you ordered, I thought you knew the language.”

  “Very funny. It’s a noodle dish like yours, as you can see. Mine has beef on it, though, with broth flavored with ginger. Then they top it off with spring onions.”

  “Looks tasty, although I’ll stick with mine. Has more color to it.”

  “Pho is usually eaten for breakfast in Vietnam, but people eat it any time of day. I think of it as a dinner dish.”

  “For breakfast? That’s way too heavy for me. I’m a cup of coffee for breakfast kind of girl.”

  “They say to have more than that.”

  “Oh, I know. It’s probably terrible for me, but I’m usually not hungry until close to lunchtime. Sometimes I have a bagel or something when I’m halfway out the door.”

  I couldn’t wait any longer, so I dove into my first bite. The dark, smokey flavor bathed my tongue. I could get used to this. He was true to his word and tried a bite of mine, which I happily handed over. I offered him a second, but he stuck with the one.

  In-between bites, my leg brushed his again, but this time, I didn’t move it away. I kept it there, pressed against his. He glanced up after a moment, when it became clear it was there to stay. Once I felt his eyes on me, I lifted up my heel while keeping the pressure on, rubbing my bare calf against his pant leg. I didn’t think he could’ve taken it any other way.

  “How’s your entree?” I asked with my leg creeping up higher. For some reason, his lack of a reaction triggered something in me. Almost like a challenge.

  “It’s pretty hot still,” he said with his fork mid-air.

  “That’s how I like mine,” I said with a coy grin.

  What’s getting into me? Before I’d pushed the envelope with him because I was playing a part, on a mission, but now that the mission had effectively ended, what was I doing it for now? Even in this moment, with my leg so far up his that it practically came out his shirt collar, I didn’t have anything or anyone else on my mind. Not Audric, not Brandt,
and not the company. Just thinking of my needs and touching his body.

  I finally got him to react a little bit. He raised a single eyebrow as if asking me what I was doing. He certainly wasn’t hating it, but he looked surprised. I slipped my foot out of my shoe and slid it along his lap until it rested between his legs.

  Ah, there it is. I finally got the reaction I was looking for. His eyes widened as my toe nestled between his legs, all the while thankful for the table cloth at the end of the booth covering my tracks. He dropped his chopsticks into the bowl and placed his hands flat on the table.

  “Something’s gotten into you tonight,” he said.

  “Yeah…something,” I purred.

  I had to lean back in my seat to accomplish it, but my foot managed to travel completely into his lap. I cradled it deeper between his legs and could feel his entire self against the arch of my foot. I’d never done this before, but it felt oddly natural as I rubbed up and down, managing a surprising amount of dexterity. I could feel every bit of him, even through his clothes.

  He gripped the tablecloth and released it as soon as he noticed what he was doing. He glanced around and then back at me. “It’s too bad there are so many people around.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” I said, lowering my leg. “We’ll call that an appetizer.”

  “Even better than the spring rolls.”

  The bonus effect was that it steered the conversation away from my brothers, and the topic didn’t come back, thankfully. I’d stayed as close to the truth as I could without coming out and saying who they were. I felt oddly guilty about even coming close to a lie with Gavin, other than the obvious. I wanted to tell him the truth about me, or at least as much as I could. He’d already shared so much, and I wanted to reciprocate.

  The route I went involved sharing more about my childhood, favorite hobbies, and things I wanted to accomplish with my future, considering I had so much of it ahead of me. He listened to all of it and showed his interest by asking questions, far more than I thought some random, rich guy would. It felt like a real, down-to-earth conversation, the kind I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

  “You finished it,” he said as I placed my chopsticks inside my empty bowl.