Page 61 of The Best Little Christmas Shop
‘Then how you do ever discover new things?’
‘New things can be over-rated in my opinion.’
He shook his head, the smile still in place as he steered me carefully away from a bar that was beginning to get busier and louder, his arm protectively blocking me from any bumps or shuffles.
‘I think you like wearing that dress.’
‘Oh pfftt.’
His smile broke into a grin. ‘Now I definitely know I’m right.’
‘Cal, your table’s ready.’ With perfect timing, the owner appeared through the restaurant door, easily spotting Cal thanks to his height and size among the crowd.
‘Ready?’ Cal asked.
I nodded and he indicated for me to go first, his hand resting ever so gently on the small of my back as we were shown to the table.
‘Carly will be with you in just a moment.’ The owner smiled at us both and headed off into the kitchen.
‘Can I say – as a friend – you really do look beautiful,’ Cal said, his eyes on me as he took his seat.
I couldn’t help the smile that formed, both at the tease and at the compliment. It was a long time since I’d felt, or been told, I looked beautiful.
‘Thanks. You look … good too.’ I gavemyself a mental kick at the lameness of my repartee. The truth was, Cal always looked good. Not in a spend hours in front of the mirror way, just in a natural, effortless style way. I, on the other hand, had indeed spent hours in front of the mirror, and had definite help in the form of Giselle.
‘I mean, not that you don’t always look lovely, but –’
‘It’s fine, Cal. I know I don’t do the wholehair and make-up thing a lot.
‘You look lovely with, or without.’
Flicking him a slightly awkward smile, I turned my attention to faffing with my napkin for a moment.
‘Have you decided what you’d like?’ The waitress was keen, young, pretty, and smiling full wattage at Cal. I got the distinct feeling she wished she was on his menu.
‘To be honest, we haven’t had a chance to look yet.’ He smileddisarmingly, charming her. ‘Could you give us a few more minutes?’
‘Of course, sir.’ She flashed him a big smile, turned, and walked off, her hips swaying a little more than they had on the way over.
‘Perhaps we should choose,’ I said.
Cal looked at me for a moment. I could see he’d figured out that there was something else going on here, something unsaid. But we both knew the waitress wouldbe back shortly, interrupting the conversation flow again.
‘Yes. Of course. You’re right. Do you know what you’re having?’
I scanned the menu and made my choice. Indecision when it came to food wasn’t a problem I ever experienced.
‘Yep.’
‘Please tell me it’s not salad.’
‘OK. It’s not salad.’
‘But is it actually salad?’
‘No. Of course not. It’s bloody freezing out there. Why would I be orderingsalad with only a few weeks until Christmas?’
‘It’s not exactly unknown for a lot of women to order salad, even when they don’t need to.’ He pulled a face that indicated he wished he’d never started this conversation.
