Page 36 of Counterfeit Connection

I look over at her and grin. “I have my ways.” She rolls her eyes in response and goes to open her door, but I stop her with a hand to her arm. “Oh, no you don’t. This is a date, remember? Stay put.”

She holds her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay.”

I climb out of the back seat of the large, black SUV and secure the bottom button of my deep, navy-blue sport coat. The hustle and bustle of New York City is loud immediately, even at this later dinner hour.

There are many people eating at tables that line the sidewalk, on top of others waiting outside for their chance to dine, so all eyes are on us when I round the vehicle and pull the door open, extending my hand.

“Shall we?”

“I guess I should get used to all eyes on you,” she whispers in my ear.

“On the contrary,” I whisper back, “all eyes are on you.” I place a gentle kiss at the base of her ear. “There will be more eyes to come. I may or may not have placed a bit of information in just the right places to encourage a lens or two.”

My hand slides into the small of her back as I pull the door open for her to enter ahead of me. “Do me a solid and at least let me know if I have basil in my teeth or something at any point. I have to at least look like I belong here.”

I let that comment go until we’re led to our table. It’s a quiet corner set, right up front, by the row of windows with the beautiful potted plants just outside the glass. The splashes of white, fuchsia, and purple circle Kaitlyn and her pale skin. She looks lovelier than I’ve ever seen her. “Why would you think you don’t belong?”

“I mean, look at this place.” She delicately waves her hand around. “It’s so chic here. I’m just a lowly lawyer from Virginia.”

“Can you do me a favor, please?”

“Absolutely.”

“Don’t talk negatively about yourself in my presence. I won’t have it.”

She doesn’t get a chance to respond before a young man with a ponytail and intricate tattoos covering his arms approaches to take our drink order.

Kaitlyn looks to me and I motion her way. “Lady’s choice this evening.”

She smiles and I can’t help but match it. I suddenly realize I’d do anything,absolutely anything,to keep that smile on her face.

“Well, I’m a sucker for a sweet white wine, so I suppose we’ll take a couple of glasses of whichever you’d recommend,” she tells him.

“Make it a bottle, please,” I add.

Our server nods with a quick look my way. I know he’s looking at me for approval. He’s not going to get it. This lovely lady is fully in charge. She’s not only in charge per our contract, but because I’m enjoying the power she’s taking. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever felt an emotion quite like this. Safe to say, anyone around us could mistake it for love.

“You don’t know what you bargained for with a whole bottle of wine. There’d better be a basket of bread to go with that. Wine is an instant truth serum for me.”

“I love all the nuggets of wisdom you so freely give to me. My mental notebook may have a hard time keeping up.” I slide my hand slowly over to her side of the table with a quick and subtle look, hoping she’ll take it.

Her keen ability to receive my cues allows her to weave her fingers with mine. “I hope this doesn’t look like we’re still in high school. I’m nervous and a terrible actress.”

“Take the pressure off yourself. Just focus on relaxing and enjoying yourself. You never have to be anyone other than who you are. I like her.”

“Is what I’m wearing even okay? Maybe I’m a little underdressed?” She smooths her free hand down the maxi-length, deep-wine-colored dress she chose.

I slide my thumb along hers. “You look beautiful.”

Our wine arrives, but I don’t release her hand. It feels so natural to hold it like this.

She lifts her glass my way. “To this crazy adventure we are embarking on.”

I raise mine in return, clinking it against hers. “Cheers to that.”

Time starts to slip by without either of us even realizing. The conversation is flowing as smoothly as the wine. I could talk to this woman for hours.

We are three appetizers deep when the topic shifts to movies.

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