by E. M. Shea
“Sure,” Nick replied. “I’ll have a Heineken.”
Never a big drinker, Dani was about to fall back on her go-to alcoholic beverage, a glass of pinot grigio, when Pierre pointed to a small standing sign at the end of the table. “Today’s special is an apple martini. Our bartender Marvin has a special recipe, and I have to tell you—it is dee-licious.”
Dani hesitated for several moments as she weighed the quickest route to calm the lingering bit of angst from her earlier frayed nerves. Ho hum wine, or the considerable bite of an apple martini. Case closed. “Yes, I’ll try that, thanks.”
Hurry, she said inwardly as Pierre left to retrieve the drinks. He must have read her signals, because just as she and Nick finished exchanging forced pleasantries about the balmy weather, he gracefully set the beverages down before them.
“Well,” Nick said as leaned slightly forward. “Since we’re here—courtesy of a charity event—maybe we should pretend this is an actual date and try to get to know each other. You game?”
Dani raised her apple martini glass as Nick clinked it with his beer glass. “I’m game.”
“Okay, let’s start with the oldest date question in the world. What do you like to do in your spare time?”
“Spare time? Is there such a thing?”
“Pretend.”
“Okay … let’s see. I like walks on the beach.”
“Now that’s original.”
“And thunderstorms.”
Nick grinned. “Another first!”
“Seeing how fast my car will accelerate—unless there are grasshoppers in the road, of course.”
“That’s very insect-minded of you.”
“I thought so, too. Let’s see … oh, and I like playing tag with road signs.”
“You do know I’m going to have to drink some special potion later tonight in order to forget you said any of this. Otherwise, I’d have to arrest you for incriminating yourself.”
Whether it was a surging comfort level due to the surprisingly easy banter with Nick, or the surging apple martini in her veins that was burrowing through her inhibitions, Dani was beginning to feel—against all odds—flirtatious. Leaning back in her chair, she winked at Nick. “No worries. I know a really good defense attorney who will have my back.”
“Careful,” Nick said, gamely playing along. “It might be the same one who put a knife in mine.”
“Very funny. Not. Okay—your turn. What do you like to do in between deliberately dragging out traffic stops so that people are late for important meetings?”
“Let’s see. I enjoy reading romantic poetry. The sappier, the better.”
“You know, the first time I saw you, I said to myself, he could easily pass for Lord Byron’s double.”
Nick laughed. “Lord Byron with a crew cut, maybe.”
“Seriously, though. Since we’ve already decided never to see each other again after tonight—”
“Providing you’re not giving Mario Andretti a run for his money on my watch—”
“Right. Future traffic stops—”
“And court run-ins—”
“Future traffic stops and court battles aside, tonight’s our one chance to get to know each other a little better. So, what makes you tick?”
Dani waited as Nick leaned back and studied her for a moment, as though sizing up whether she genuinely wanted to know more about him, or was waiting for a response that she could exploit for a laugh.
“I like being outdoors,” he finally said, clearly choosing the sincere route. “Especially the mountains. Whenever I have a chance to head up to New Hampshire, I’m there. Hiking, skiing, rock climbing—you name it. “
“Nice,” Dani replied. “We used to spend a lot of family vacations in New Hampshire when I was a kid. I love the outdoors, too. Although I’ve never tried rock climbing. Not sure that I’m coordinated enough given that I’ve been known to trip just climbing a set of stairs.”
“Trade those stilts you’re wearing for rock climbing shoes, and I bet you’d do fine. I could show you sometime.”
Nick instantly appeared to be jolted by his own words, though no more so than Dani. With widened eyes, she tore off a small piece of dinner roll and popped it into her mouth, substituting chewing for the opportunity to comment on Nick’s offer. Chew, chew, chew. Okay, what do I say? And was he really offering to take me rock climbing, or just trying to fill in the conversation?
Truth was, Dani was intrigued at the possibility of seeing Nick again—and not out of a more or less forced obligation like their present outing. But Nick halfway changed the subject before she could contemplate the possibility further.
“I’m actually going hiking next Saturday in the White Mountains with some kids from the Greater Boston Boys Club. They’ve never been to the mountains before—or even hiking, for that matter—so I think they’re in for a real treat.”
“That sounds like fun! Is this something that was set up by the police department?”
“Not directly. I’ve been volunteering as a mentor for the past five years. The club has an outreach program targeting most police departments in and around Boston. They feel it can be a positive experience for the kids to interact with law-enforcement officers in a non-threatening way. Especially when some of them—or at least family members—have had negative run-ins with the police in the past. I signed up after seeing an announcement on a bulletin board at the department. But it’s been such a great experience all around. I’ve grown close to some of these kids. And one even wants to become a police officer himself, so I’ve been helping to guide him in the right direction. A lot of these kids come from broken families, or are in situations with limited opportunities, so it’s really satisfying knowing I can make a difference in their lives.”
Dani nodded slowly as she took in Nick’s words—and the revised assessment that they spurred. Was it possible that Nick wasn’t such a … well … a jerk after all?
“How is everything?” Pierre asked as he suddenly appeared at the table. “Can I get you another drink?”
Dani glanced down at her near-empty martini glass. Normally, she would nurse a single alcoholic drink through dinner, but damn, this apple martini was like liquified candy. And who could have just one piece of confection?
“I’ll have another beer,” Nick said before nodding to Dani’s drink. “Another apple martini?”
What the heck. It hadn’t done any harm up to this point, and if anything, it had helped her relax enough to have the sort of “real” conversation with Nick that just an hour ago, she never would have thought possible.
“Sure, thanks.” She waited for Pierre to leave, then looked up at Nick and smiled. “One thing my parents always taught me was the importance of giving back. They were both pretty active in the community, and I’ve tried to follow their example. I just wish I had more time to get involved.”
“I think that’s an issue for most people these days. There aren’t too many forty-hour workweeks anymore.”
“No kidding. And even when you’re off, you’re expected to be connected twenty-four-seven by email, text and whatever else they can ping at you.”
Nick grinned. “Yeah, I’ve discovered this amazing feature on my phone when I need to disconnect from all that crap. It’s called an off button.”
“Would you believe we had to sign contracts at my law firm saying we would be, quote, ‘technologically accessible’ at all times?”
“That should be illegal—law firm or not.”
“No kidding. But anyways, I started doing some pro bono work for a Women’s Center just outside of Boston a few years ago, and it’s been so rewarding. Some of these women have been in such horrific situations, and to work with them and see them get to a better place—it kind of puts everything in perspective, you know?”
Nick eyed Dani intently, nodding as he did. “That’s a great way to put it.”
“One apple martini,” Pierre said as he glided over effortlessly, a tray of drinks expert
ly balanced on his open palm. He placed the glass down, then turned to Nick. “And a beer for the gentleman.”
Nick thanked him and then turned to Dani as they shared a conspiratorial grin at the waiter’s formal lingo. He waited for Pierre to depart, then held up his beer for a toast. “Well, here’s to the joys of volunteering.”
Dani raised her martini glass. “And to not completely hating each other.”
Despite the buried compliment, Nick appeared slightly taken aback. But as he clinked her glass, his face softened. “Agreed.”
Forty minutes later, they were scanning the dessert menu after the other plates had been cleared. Now on her third apple martini, Dani couldn’t help but notice that the menu type size seemed to fluctuate before her very eyes.
“Wow, I think this last drink went straight to my head.”
“Don’t forget it was able to climb on the two drinks before that,” Nick teased.
“I know. I’m used to drinking wine, and it definitely doesn’t hit me like this did.”
“I’m far from a liquor expert, but I would imagine martinis have a much greater alcohol content than wine.”
“Probably,” Dani sighed. “It’s just hidden better because it tastes so damn good!” She pushed the dessert away. “I don’t think I could fit another bite. No matter how dee-licious,” she said, borrowing Pierre’s enthusiastic spin on the word.
Nick laughed. “Same here.”
As Nick handed the charity gift card to Pierre, Dani felt a sense of unease. From the get-go, the mission had been clear. Meet for dinner as a mere formality given that money was pledged on their behalf to charity, try not to say or do anything that would make them dislike each other even more, and then hightail it on out of the restaurant with resounding relief once dinner was done. But … that’s not where her head was at right now, and she knew the apple martinis were only partially to blame. Never in a million years—make that a gazillion years—did she think they might actually have a few things in common. Or enjoy each other’s company. Perhaps tomorrow, in the light of day, he’d be back to topping her do-not-like list. But right now, she couldn’t deny feeling an intense attraction towards him. The burning question was, did he feel the same?
“So,” Nick said once the tab was paid, looking equally bewildered by the positive turn of events. “I guess we both survived dinner.”
Dani managed a smile. “I know. Pretty amazing, huh?”
“Does that mean you’ll go easy on me if we ever meet again on opposite sides of a court case?”
“That depends. Am I entitled to a get-out-of-jail-free card the next time I swerve to avoid crickets and hit a street sign?”
He grinned. “I’ll take it into consideration.”
Dani smiled awkwardly, a mirror of the swirling emotions that she felt inside. Not to mention the swirling alcohol. “Well, I guess we should head out.” Wobbling slightly, she stood up to drape her shawl over her shoulders and bare arms. Even without seeing his face as she leaned over, she could sense Nick’s concern.
“Did you drive yourself here?”
“Yup. I gave my personal chauffer the night off.”
He wasn’t amused. “I don’t think you should be driving like this.” Pause. “Let me rephrase. You definitely shouldn’t be driving like this. You had three strong martinis, and you’re clearly feeling the effects.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine.”
“Look, arresting people for drunk driving is part of what I do for a living, remember? And I can tell right now that you would probably fail a breathalyzer test.”
“Breathalyzer shreathalyzer.”
Nick’s forehead creased with concern. “That’s it. I’m calling an Uber ride to bring you home.”
“What—you don’t want to drive me yourself?”
“Of course I’ll drive you. I just didn’t think you wanted me to—”
“I don’t want you driving me,” Dani half snapped as she teetered on heels that now felt about as sturdy as chopsticks.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Fine. Uber it is. And as soon as I can flag down a waiter, I’m getting you a coffee to go.”
Ten minutes later, they were standing under a streetlamp post in front of the restaurant. Dani took another sip of lukewarm coffee, then peered up at Nick. He was looking straight ahead, eyes scanning the street and passersby on foot as he analyzed incoming sensory data like a hound dog on point.
“You police types are always looking for clues, aren’t you,” Dani said, only half aware of the thought behind her observation.
Nick glanced down at her for a second at most, then refocused on his surroundings. “Actually, I’m looking for your Uber ride. That okay with you?”
Dani thought she detected a touch of amusement in his voice. Then again, she realized her observations might be a bit off, given that she saw the menu type change size, too. “I forgot to ask. What about my car? It’s in the public lot.”
“Don’t worry about that now. Call me tomorrow when you’re up and about, and I can bring you to get your car.”
“I think I’ll call an Uber instead.”
Sigh. “Fine.”
Suddenly, Nick grabbed Dani by the shoulders and yanked her back a foot. “What are you—”
“This better not be your ride,” he said with a clenched jaw as a compact car zoomed up to the curb and squealed to a stop. As the passenger side window rolled down, the driver leaned over and stuck his head in front of the opening. “Are you Dani?” he asked in a strangely monotone voice.
“Yes,” she answered, squinting at his appearance to make sure her eyes weren’t once again playing tricks on her. Nope—no tricks. And no treats either as she homed in on a nose ring thick enough to tether a bull, spiked blue hair and a highway of tattoos covering every square inch of a gangly arm.
“You’re not getting in that car,” Nick said under his breath.
“Please. Just because he looks like a punk rocker doesn’t mean he’s a bad driver,” Dani whispered back.
“No, but the fact that he almost ran over my foot does!” He turned to the driver. “Thanks, buddy, but we’re good.”
“Seriously, man? I could’ve picked up someone else but drove here instead!”
“Put the fare through for driving here—I’ll pay for it,” Nick tersely replied.
With an audible huff, the driver closed the window, then pulled away from the curb and back into traffic.
“Well, that was interesting,” Nick observed, shaking his head. He pulled out his phone and started tapping on the screen. “Back to the drawing board.”
“Actually, Nick, the coffee’s doing its job, and I really feel okay to drive.”
“That’s your still-inebriated brain playing tricks on you,” he replied, eyes still glued to the phone as he initiated the request for another car. “Trust me, your reflexes are still under the influence.”
Dani was tempted to argue the point, but knew he had the upper hand on this one. It’s not like she could counter with, ‘but I’ve pulled more drunk drivers over than you, so I know the signs better’.
“Hmm,” he murmured. “Guess it’s a busy Saturday night. ETA for the closet ride is another eighteen minutes.”
Dani winced as she debated whether to follow through with an impulsive thought that had just popped into her head. Normally, caution would win out. Buuutttt … not this time. “Look, I don’t live that far from here. If the offer’s still open to drive me home—even though I really do think I can safely drive myself—then maybe we should just do that. I’m sure you have better things to do than guard this sidewalk for another twenty minutes.”
This time, Nick diverted his attention away from the phone. And quite happily so. Or at least Dani thought she could see a look of pleasant surprise in his eyes. Ah yes … those eyes. Under the glare of the streetlamp, their steely gray color had transitioned to a lighter, almost translucent hue. Suddenly, Dani became aware of how close they were standing. Maybe those apple ma
rtinis had left their mark on her depth perception. She took a tiny step back, but felt one of her heels cave into a hole in the sidewalk.
“Whoa there,” Nick said as he grabbed her arm just in time to pull her back up.
“Sorry about that. I must have stepped in a hole.” She looked at the ground behind her, struggling to focus on the surface but finding no indentation. “Or I thought there was a hole.”
“Drink up,” he said, nodding to the takeout cup of coffee in her hand. “I think it still has some work to do. I’m parked just around the corner. Are you okay to wait here while I go get the car?”
Dani nodded.
“On second thought. I don’t trust that you won’t run off and jump in your car while I’m gone.”
She playfully smacked his arm. “Knock it off. I’ll wait here.”
Nick appeared only partially convinced, but was apparently willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. He quickly headed off, reemerging several minutes later in a large black jeep that he pulled up to the curb. Hopping out onto the street, he maneuvered his way to the passenger side and opened the door. “Madame, your carriage is ready.”
Dani grinned as she hiked her dress up slightly before attempting to heave herself onto the seat. “Does this thing come with a stepladder?” she asked, only half kidding.
As Nick gently put his arm around her waist and gave her an added boost, she felt a strangely pleasurable pull in her stomach that quickly reverberated into a full-body shudder. Yowzie! What the heck was that?
Oblivious to her intense yet invisible reaction, Nick punched Dani’s address into his GPS, then turned to her. “Okay, Cinderella. Time to get you home before you turn into a pumpkin.”
“Wait a sec. Isn’t it the carriage that turns into a pumpkin?”
Nick chuckled low as he pulled out onto the road. “Is it? Guess I’m rusty on the whole Cinderella thing.”
“Good. Because your fairytale obsession was kind of worrying me.”
He chuckled again. “Sounds like I need to work on my Prince Charming routine.”
Dani smiled as she looked out the side window. Oh … I wouldn’t exactly say that. And if this was still the apple martinis talking to her, well, was it really so bad to temporarily see the world through the eyes of pickled fruit?
