Page 31 of Forever Fascinating

“Switch plates?” Matthew said at the exact same time, causing the two of them to smile at each other, before he spoke again. “I was perfectly fine with the steaks you know – and now I have sour cream on my potato.”

“Live a little or switch me potatoes,” she shrugged easily. “I wanted you to have the larger steak for a few reasons. A – I don’t need it. B – you won’t get anything like that back on base. C – that one has a bone for you to gnaw… and I’m taking a photo of that thing because it’s huge… and D…”

“You’re thoughtful and I appreciate it,” Matthew finished, reaching over to put his hand over hers, giving it a light squeeze. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said simply, casting a shy glance at him.

Moments later, the rolls and other condiments arrived, and both of them cut into their steaks, taking a bite, and instantly groaning in unison as the flavors burst on their tongues.

She’d never had anything like this before in her entire life. The meat had a smoky taste to it, fell apart the moment the knife touched it, and there was a peppery underlying element that was just divine.

“Ohhhh my gosh, I’ve gone to heaven,” Matthew whispered openly, closing his eyes in ecstasy as he chewed. “I will never be able to eat that garbage on base ever again and want to apologize to youagain, because I’m about to disgrace myself at how much I enjoy dinner tonight. If you hear grunting or see me lick the plate… just ignore me.”

“I’m right there with you,” she uttered, sighing. “I see why people are foodies and try all sorts of new places. This is divine and I wish I was wearing sweatpants with an elastic waist right now.”

“We should do this again,” Matthew said easily, cutting into his steak and reaching across the table for a roll, quickly dropping it on his plate and blowing on his fingertips. “Ouch! Those are awfully warm. We should definitely do this – just meet up, have fun, get an amazing meal together, and see each other again.”

Jana stopped chewing at his words, sitting there, before swallowing her bite. Wincing, she realized she probably should have chewed a little longer and was grateful to not have choked, as she stared at Matthew’s handsome profile.

He had no idea what he’d said or implied, she realized as he looked up at her and smiled softly, and went back to cutting another piece off his steak.

“You look surprised,” he began quietly.

“Can you clarify any of that, because my brain isn’t working.”

“I think we should maybe keep in touch, make plans to meet up so we can see each other again. I would really enjoy having another day like today – with you.”

“Are you asking me out again for an undetermined time or location in the future?”

“I suppose I am,” he smiled, taking a bite of his steak and chewing. “Is it too weird to think that I would want us to go out on dates or talk?”

“Dating…”

“It would be a strange sort of dating, because I don’t know when I will get back to the States. I have to ask for time off every time, but we could make plans together,” he smiled. “And yeah, it would be a weird-pseudo-sort-of-dating.”

Jana cleared her throat and looked away, smoothing her napkin in her lap nervously, before reaching forward to take a sip of her iced tea. She didn’t say a word while her mind worked, thinking of how strange it would be to actually be committing to seeing another guy in the future, but never knowing when.

“Maybe I was wrong thinking that there was something there or that you were having a nice time? It’s okay,” Matthew said softly, almost in apology, causing her to look at him to see his stricken expression. “I really think that you’re nice, but I understand if you aren’t interested. I didn’t want to ruin our evening by…”

“Matthew, don’t… Iaminterested…”

“But…?” he pressed softly, putting down his fork and knife, looking at her. “What’s on your mind? Talk to me.”

“You mentioned ‘dating’ and that you didn’t know when you would be back or when we’d see each other again,” she replied, hesitating.

“I can’t help my duty station and I cannot give you a certain date… yet,” he began, watching her, looking almost curious and hurt. “I’m sorry. I wish I could say ‘next Saturday’or something like that but…”

“I don’t believe in dating around or talking with other guys when I am seeing someone, because to me that’s just so wrong,” Jana rushed out, feeling her face flame with embarrassment, because this was not something she thought they would be discussing.

“I mean, you know, if it’s six months from now… I don’t mind, but if you are asking me to hold a spot for you three years from now, for somecasualdate… I can’t give you an answer, because I would like to get to know you better before I commit to something like that.”

“Yet we went out tonight… on a date,” he said softly, causing her to look up at him, as he took her hand from her lap, in his.

“We did,” she replied quietly, looking at him. “As friends. We are both going our separate ways, so there…”

“There was no pressure or chance for commitment to going out on another date,” he finished, giving her hand a light squeeze. “And now you feel like I’m asking for one from you.”

“Are you?”

---