Page 14 of A Soldier's Temptation
"No, I'm lucky to have him."
They had a connection, unlike anything she’d ever had with a dog. She swore he knew what was in her heart and soul.
The hostess handed them menus. “Your server will be over in just a bit to take your drink orders. If you need anything, just let any of the staff know. Enjoy your meal.” If the food was as good as she’d heard, Ari had no doubt they would. The menu had just about every Italian dish she’d ever heard of and trying to narrow it down to one thing was a lot more difficult than she expected.
“Order whatever you like, this one’s on me. It’s the least I can do since you’ve been taking such good care of my plant, errr, Miss Jade.”
Ari giggled. It sounded funny when he said it. “You don’t have to call her that just because I do.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want her to get confused and start dropping leaves.”
“Now you’re teasing me.”
“Maybe a little. It’s too easy. Seriously, though, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that you take care of her. It’s the first plant I’ve owned that has lived longer than a month.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. How long have you had her?” It was an easy question, so what caused the shadow that slid across his face? Did the plant belong to an ex-girlfriend, someone he loved?
“Not too long, actually. I got it shortly after I moved in. But then I was recertified for duty and started going away a lot.” Okay, so maybe not an old girlfriend. But something was bothering him.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know. But I get the feeling you’re upset.” She’d surprised him, it was obvious from the expression on his face.
“Nope, everything is fine. I’m just not used to people being able to read me. Actually, I meant that I’m not used to anyone other than my Team noticing my feelings. Nothing gets by them.”
Before she could say anything else, their server appeared at the table. “Would you like something to drink? We don’t have a full bar, but here’s the wine list. We have a full selection of soft drinks, and Pellegrino if you’d prefer that over tap water.”
John looked through the wine list. “Ariana, would you prefer red or white?”
“Get whatever you like better, I’m probably not going to have any.”
“Why not? I know you enjoy wine, I’ve seen your collection. C’mon, have some wine. We aren’t driving, and I’m sure Mr. Darcy will be able to get us home if we’re a bit tipsy.”
It was all Ari could do not to roll her eyes. “Fine, how about a pinot noir then. Unless you don’t like reds?” How did he make her cave like that? One minute she’s saying no, then she’s picking the wine.
“I like both, and since I’m having lasagna, red is perfect.” John chose a bottle and asked for a bottle of Pellegrino for the table, and an antipasto platter. She was impressed and a little surprised. This was a side of him she hadn’t seen before.
“Did you decide on an entrée?”
“I think I’ll have the lasagna, too. Although, I should get something different. But after you said lasagna, it made my decision for me.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long while since I’ve had it. When I think of Italian, lasagna is always the first thing that comes to mind and my mouth starts watering.”
“It’s okay, I can’t remember the last time I had it either.”
The wine arrived, and the server poured just enough in their glasses for them to sample the flavor. When John approved she filled their glasses halfway and left the bottle on the table. Shortly after that, she brought the tray of antipasto.
“Shall we toast?”
“Sure. Do you have something in mind?”
“How about my sexy dinner partner and his owner.”
It was the last thing Ari expected and burst into laughter before she could stop herself. The couples at the other tables turned to stare at them, which made her laugh harder. John somehow managed to bring out a side of her she’d buried long ago. One she thought would never return.
“Oh yeah, I’ll drink to that,” she said after calming down. “Cheers.”
