Chapter 21
By the time I reached our rendezvous by the fountain, Everette stood patiently in place.
I edged closer with caution, taking in his attire from head to toe.
Relief flooded through me, validating the morning spent digging through my wardrobe for the ideal ensemble, especially since he had ditched his typical robe.
His garments carried the crisp polish of something plucked fresh from an upscale shop window.
He caught sight of my approach and held out his palm.
That familiar signal invited me to let him lead the way.
My fingers settled into his grasp, and he steered us toward our evening ahead without a hitch.
A table awaited us at a nearby eatery, though he admitted uncertainty about my taste.
Even I, with my usual disinterest in fads, recognized the capital’s premier dining destination practically next door to the fountain.
While pausing at the entry for the host, I breathed to him, “Securing a spot like this can’t have been simple.”
He brushed it off with practiced ease. “Easier than you’d imagine.”
Fortune must have smiled on us. I’d longed for a chance to dine here.
My appreciative grin brought color rushing to his earlobes.
Perhaps the layers kept him uncomfortably toasty.
The host appeared then, a poised man in his thirties with decades of polished service etched into his bearing.
“Sir Everette Rojas and Miss Carolina Diaz, I presume? This way to your table, please.”
He drew back our seats with fluid precision before setting down the menus.
The sheer array of choices slowed my selection, prompting the attendant lingering close by to suggest smoothly, “Romantic duos favor our signature pair’s course.”
His assumption draped us in couple status, spawning a thick veil of unease over the tabletop.
Protesting outright risked shaming him unnecessarily.
I offered a gentle smile instead and glanced at Everette. “The featured option appears inviting. Care to try their suggestion?”
A vacant haze clouded his features as he dipped his head in assent.
Heat clearly rose fast in his skin.
Cracking the window at my request restored his steady hue moments later.
She had braced for lingering discomfort until the courses began, yet as clarity returned to his gaze, he gently nudged the dialogue forward.
Their prior encounters had softened his guarded edges a touch.
Soon absorbed, Carolina lost track of time until the opening dish arrived.
They held still for the server’s vivid rundown.
“Our duo menu evokes deep affections. The starter embodies initial sparks—heart-pounding thrill, lifted by zesty lemon notes…”
With the cart wheeled away, quiet enveloped their private nook.
The romantic framing struck far more intensely than expected.
Her mind went utterly vacant.
Direct looks proved impossible for drawn-out heartbeats until she dredged up words.
“Appears mouthwatering. Little surprise it’s renowned across the capital.”
Feigning deep interest in the plate, she lifted her fork.
Everette echoed the motion, forking into the crisp leaves.
Cuisine provided solid cover against the abrupt hush.
Lemon accents eluded her senses entirely.
Distracted, she forked bites on autopilot, reluctant to lower the utensil and fill the void with talk.
They polished off the portion with ravenous focus.
Mercifully, prior to emptying the plates, the centerpiece tenderloin arrived.
Impeccable arrival.
“Behold your heart-cut tenderloin.”
A fresh voice pierced the space beyond silverware scrapes.
The attendant elaborated on the emblematic cut—passionate devotion captured in its form, drenched in richly reduced red wine—before departing.
Forks and blades rose once more.
Polite meal thanks traded briefly amid the ensuing slice-and-clink symphony.
What began as evasion drew her full attention to the challenge.
The cut proved unexpectedly stubborn.
Tender flesh met a blunted edge.
Precious liquids escaped the ragged gashes.
She neared the summon button for a sharper tool.
“Allow me to handle the carving?”
His quiet proposal followed patient observation of her tussle.
She yielded the dish after brief consideration.
A murmured appreciation drew his rough-edged beam.
Warm from her hold, the utensil transferred seamlessly.
Superior finesse yielded cleaner results, though the edge stayed obstinate.
Progress fell short of flawless.
No hidden mastery emerged from him either.
A fresh blade would have served better.
Her hand drifted toward the buzzer anew when golden radiance flared along the metal, mirroring fierce daylight.
The glare softened, enabling seamless divisions.
Sections gleamed with geometric precision.
“Sir Rojas wields blades like a virtuoso.”
Awed, she alternated stares between man and tool, bringing palms together in delight.
Pure sleight-of-hand wonder.
Subtle crimson revisited his features.
Mastering a stubborn cutter demanded extra vigor.
Throat clears dispersed the lingering sheen completely.
Had the dish remained intact amid the mundane, she might have dismissed it casually.
Instead, a sharp crack announced its bisection, steak tumbling free.
Porcelain halved with surgical neatness.
Panic shook in his widening stare.
The bang jolted shared glances; his shock-spent eyes unleashed her mirth.
“Overkill including the dish in your artistry.”
Giggling fiercely, she dabbed at streaming mirth.
“Manufacturing flaw,” he defended, gaze sliding aside.
“Fair enough.”
Laughter cramped her core before she signaled for renewal.
Endless ribbing filled the interim.
His startled ripostes felt delightfully novel.
Ease bloomed rapidly, erasing prior strain unnoticed.
Harmony guided them through sweets, parting the venue in buoyant accord.
Early seating kept daylight vivid outdoors.
Repaying with transport tempted, yet smacked of scripted outings.
Connie’s eager match-making visions intruded.
She banished them with a subtle head shake.
“Do further commitments await?”
“In that case, permit me to convey you home.”
His palm extended afresh.
Textbook courtesy sparked inner amusement.
Refusal held no appeal.
Post-mishap thaw fueled effortless exchange en route.
Leisurely words blurred minutes until verdant apartment peaks loomed.
He braked at their last parting shortcut.
“No watchers today either—head directly inside, Ms. Diaz.”
A swift nod-off spun him away.
Such thoughtfulness eased her path fully.
Far beyond mere curtness defined him.
No unease endured.
Pleasant discourse and cozy hours lingered warmly.
His form receded into view before her voice rang out.
“Sir Rojas, one moment.”
He halted, pivoting back.
Shoe tip grazed earth amid her soft stutter.
“Your prior loaned cloth rests here, folded safe.”
From jacket depths emerged the crisp square.
“Next occasion for its handover.”
Propriety guided the deferral.
