Page 2 of Vampire so Virtuous
“Different how?”
“You’re not putting on a façade,” Stefan said, leaning back slightly. “It’s refreshing.”
Cally masked her reaction with another sip of wine. It was safer to shift the focus back on him. “That suggests you’ve had some awful experiences.”
“In truth, I hate first dates. Finding someone is exhausting, isn’t it?”
“Better than arranged marriages.”
“Sometimes I wonder.” He stared at her for a second too long. “Are you ready to order?”
“Sure.”
Stefan waved the waiter over and gestured for her to go first.
“The burrata and the cauliflower risotto, please.”
“I’ll take the filetto di manzo,” Stefan said, “and the carpaccio di manzo to start. And we’ll take a bottle of the chianti riserva.”
“A sparkling water, please,” Cally said firmly.
“Sure, no problem.” The waiter made a note and left them to it.
Stefan leaned back in his chair, twirling the stem of his wineglass. “I had you pegged for a steak and salad.”
“I don’t eat meat.”
“Ah,” Stefan said, lips twitching. “Okay, here’s one. What’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?”
That was an easy answer. “One where the guy spent the entire meal talking about his investment portfolio.”
He gave a mock-wince. “I do work in finance. For a venture capital firm.”
“Are you itching to tell me about your investment portfolio?”
“Well,” he said, hesitating as though disappointed. “I could keep it brief.”
Was he serious?“Maybe later.”
The drinks and starters arrived swiftly, both cold dishes, and she was grateful for the timing. They ate their first bites in an uneasy hush.
“So,” he said, drawing the word out a little, “what’s your story?” He took her in with a flick of his hand. “A beautiful girl, still single. You don’t strike me as the ‘I’m-too-busy-for-a-man’ type.”
He said it lightly, but Cally felt her prickle of unease grow. “Never foundthe right guy, I suppose.”
“I can’t imagine you’d go for someone who doesn’t get you.”
“I’m sure you’d be surprised.”
“Not really.” He leaned in, one arm resting loosely on the table. “You’re sharp. I like it. But a little closed off, if you don’t mind me saying. It’s a shame.”
Given it was obviously a line, it stung more than it should. “Uh-huh?”
“Yeah. You don’t have to be that way. Not with me.” His hand slid across the table, fingers lightly brushing the edge of hers. “You don’t have to worry about a thing.”
She pulled her hand back enough to break the contact.Not interested.
“I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”
