Chapter 3
Charles smiled across the table at his very handsome date. He could hardly believe they were finally out together just the two of them. He was relieved to note that their chemistry and light banter hadn’t faltered after dropping Nina off.
He had been more than a little worried that their telephone conversations and ease with one another in Nina’s company wouldn’t translate well into a proper date atmosphere. Thankfully that didn’t seem to be a problem.
Erik gave him a soft smile that set his heart aflutter; he hoped the soft lighting hid his blush as he pretended to be absorbed in adjusting his napkin on his lap.
“What looks good to you?” he asked after a brief perusal of the mouthwatering menu.
Erik chuckled, catching his eye, “I’ve eaten more boxed macaroni in the past year than is advisable and I’ve never gotten sick of it. I’d be happy for you to order for us both.”
Charles grimaced dramatically in distaste at his disgusting revelation, “I hope to break you of your bad habits with food, Erik. Eating should be an enjoyable experience, not a chore,” he teased.
“Break away, this place smells fantastic.”
“It does, doesn’t it? I’ve been meaning to try it for ages but I never had a chance,” he lied. He just hated eating out alone and hadn’t had a chance to drag Raven or any of his other friends out with him in the months since it had opened.
“Well, I’m happy to be your chance for a night out,” Erik said warmly.
“Likewise,” they smiled not noticing their waitress’ arrival until she cleared her throat softly to intrude on the moment.
“Good evening and welcome to Armando’s, would you like to hear the specials?” She asked with a bright smile.
Erik could have done without it, but he agreed to hear them since Charles was clearly interested. He settled back into his seat to watch his date ask informed questions about the menu and wine selections before placing an order for baked brown sugar chicken wings with red pepper cream sauce and a half carafe of wine to start.
“That sounds fantastic; I can’t wait to try it,” Erik admitted hungrily. He hadn’t had a chance to grab a bite since lunch and he was starving.
“Me either. A friend of mine recently started working here and has been really talking this place up. Though he may just be talking himself up,” Charles added as an amused after thought.
Erik was curious and more than a little impressed. This was a very nice restaurant. Not quite fine dining but nothing to sniff at. “You know one of the chefs?”
Charles looked abashed, “We worked together at…my former job. He was a very talented young man and I’m glad to see him getting the chance to really shine,” he admitted shyly.
By now Erik knew of Charles’ penchant for nurturing those around him. He wasn’t surprised that he had kept tabs on his former co workers to make sure their careers progressed well.
“Did you give him a recommendation?”
Charles glanced around like he was admitting some terrible secret, “Yes. I always give recommendations if they ask. I do it after…Seb has submitted his. I don’t want there to be any trouble with him. he’s vindictive enough to make trouble for them for coming to me,” he admitted shamefaced.
Not for the first time Erik wondered what had kept Charles bound to a man like Sebastian Shaw. They sounded like polar opposites in the worst possible way. He didn’t want to ruin their date by bringing up bad memories. “That’s kind of you, Charles. Do you know if he’s working tonight?”
“I’m sure he is, no one gets Fridays off in this industry,” he chuckled at the question like it was absurd.
“What’s funny?”
“One of my chefs used to say he’d come get us from the morgue of we called in dead,” Charles laughed at the memory.
Erik smirked at that, “Sounds like me with my paralegals.”
Charles eyed him playfully, “I could see that. You seem very dedicated to your work.”
“I am, though I’ve severely cut back since my single days and more since Magda passed,” he was proud of himself for being able to say it without his voice wavering.
Charles gave him a warm hearted look, “I really admire that, Erik.”
Thankfully their food arrived before he had to think of a reply to that. Charles tasted the wine and approved of it before the waitress filled their small glass carafe and left at the table.
Charles poured them each a few fingers of the rose wine he had chosen as Erik tried a chicken wing. His brows rose in delight. It was fantastic. If the rest of the meal was as delicious he’d willingly add Armando’s to the short list of places he took clients to wine and dine them.
Charles looked fit to burst with joy when Erik told him so. He smiled happily, for his first date in a long while, this was going very well.
They ate leisurely, sharing funny stories about work experiences and past dating disasters.
“So the owner was having sex with one of the hostesses in the dry goods room, it was one of those things we didn’t talk about but there was a surprise health inspection and…” he faded out with an eyebrow waggle.
“No!” Erik laughed, trying not to choke on his Argentinean sea bass. It was too good to waste a single bite.
“Oh yes. His wife found out by reading the restaurant report. They print those in the paper you know?” Charles said theatrically.
Erik couldn’t imagine. “So?”
“So she took him for everything he was worth, the restaurant was shut down for months and by the time it reopened I had found another job,” he shrugged.
“That’s insane. And very unsanitary.”
Charles frowned in agreement, “to say the least.”
They giggled some more over the absurdities of the people they’d met as they finished their entrees. They were avidly arguing dessert choices when their waitress returned with tray bearing three small plates. She set down a serving of flan with caramel sauce, a slice of tres leches cake piled high with fresh fruit, and a motichoor rabdi parfait in a small, stylized glass.
Erik glanced at Charles who seemed equally surprised but not as confused to receive such an offering.
“Compliments of Chef Alex, he’s too busy to come out but he said he’ll call you next week.” She gave him a cheery grin before heading off to tend her other tables.
“Well, Charles. You really make an impression,” Erik picked up one of the dessert spoons she’d provided.
“I guess so,” he blushed and glanced towards the kitchen before doing the same. “Let’s see what’s good.”
In Erik’s opinion, everything was great. But he supposed he might be biased because of the company. Erik paid, though Charles put up a fight, “I chose the restaurant!”
“But I asked you out,” he insisted, setting his card down with a smirk. Their waitress was clearly enjoying their banter and sent him a sly wink as she went to collect their receipt.
Charles huffed, slightly irritated but more charmed than he would admit. He usually hated overbearing men, but for some reason Erik’s attitude didn’t rub him the wrong way. He supposed it was because Erik didn’t seem to want to hold his largesse over his head.
“Come on, Charles. You’ve cooked for us three times if you count the lemon cake. Let me treat you,” he cajoled, hoping he hadn’t come across as domineering. He reached across the table to lightly grasp Charles’ hand in his, lightly tracing his calluses and burn scars with gentle fingers.
Charles couldn’t hold onto his irritation in the face of Erik’s tenderness, but he remained a bit petulant. “If you think this was good, wait until I cook you a proper meal.”
Erik grinned, broad and bright, his real smile Charles would bet. But he didn’t call attention to it, “What do you mean a proper meal? A very intelligent man once gave me a lecture about the importance of a ‘real breakfast’ to start my day right.” Erik teased him playfully.
Charles couldn’t argue with his past self, “I mean something other than breakfast.”
“Something meant for two?” Erik asked softly, still holding his hand.
He blushed, “Perhaps.”
“Does that mean you had a good time?”
“You know I did.”
“Good, I did too. I hope this means we can do this again soon?”
“Sooner than tomorrow?” Charles laughed at the wry look Erik cast him.
“Your Saturday visits are the Charles and Nina show. I just reap the benefits,” he chuckled.
“You’re always welcome to help cook,” Charles reiterated.
“One day I’ll take you up on that and you’ll regret it,” he promised, eyes sparkling.
“I’ll hold you to it,” Charles squeezed his hand lightly, only letting go so Erik could sign the receipt and gather his things to leave.
Charles turned to their waitress as he pulled on his coat, “Thank you for a wonderful evening. Please thank Alex for me and tell him I’m looking forwards to his call.”
“Will do,” she said warmly. “I hope to see you both again soon,” she waved them on their way.
Charles raised an eyebrow at that, “You must be a good tipper.”
“I like to pay people for a job well done,” he smiled as Charles stepped close to his side and grasped his hand once more.
He never wanted to let go.
~~
They swung by Ruth’s house to collect a sleeping Nina who didn’t wake at all on the way home.
Charles was amazed, “Won’t she be disoriented to wake up somewhere else?” he whispered, trying not to disturb her though he wondered if that was even possible.
Erik huffed a quiet laugh, shifting her slumped form higher up on his shoulder, “She never seems to be. She’ll hate that she didn’t get to say goodnight, but I’d rather not wake her.” He admitted softly.
Charles smiled, “That’s okay, I’ll see you both in the morning. I hope you like blueberry pancakes.”
“I like everything you make,” he said honestly, wishing it was brighter out so he could see the blush creep up Charles’ cheeks.
“Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning,” Charles stepped in close and, before he could second guess himself pressed a chaste, closed mouthed kiss to Erik’s slightly agape mouth.
Before Erik could react, he was gone. He waited until he saw the lights in Charles’ house come on before letting himself in and seeing about putting Nina to bed.
In spite of the late hour, he was fully awake. How could he sleep when all he wanted to do was relive the night over and over again? Especially that kiss?
It had been so sweet, so innocent and still it lingered on his lips like a brand. He dressed for bed and lay down, counting the hours until dawn, until Nina rose and demanded his attention, until he could see Charles again.