“Good. Business is booming so I’m happy,” Ethan replies while giving the man a sturdy handshake.
“That’s what I like to hear. I’ve been busy myself with this place.”
Then Ethan turns to me and says, “Tegan, Tommy, Tommy, Tegan,” introducing the two of us to each other.
“Hello,” I say quietly. The stature of the man is a little intimidating.
“She’s a cute one, Ethan,” says Tommy looking from me to my ‘date’. “Table for two is it?”
“That’d be great.”
Tommy leads us to a secluded booth at the back of the restaurant, hands us two menus and tells us he’ll send the waitress over to take our order.
“So you’re a regular here then?” I ask to fill the silence.
“Tommy makes the best burgers in the city,” says Ethan.
“I better order one then,” I reply.
“Order the whole menu if you want.”
Oh, well just colour me swooned. “Thanks for the offer but I think a burger will be enough.” And then, as if in disagreement, my stomach growls loudly. How embarrassing.
“You sure about that?” he laughs.
“Positive. I just haven’t eaten today yet that’s all.”
“You shouldn’t starve yourself, I know how women can be about their figures these days.”
“It’s not that. I didn’t have an appetite because my dad called this morning to tell me he found out I wasn’t attending my lectures, and now he’s cut me off. That kind of news tends to kill a person’s appetite, particularly when they don’t know where the money is coming from to fund their next meal.”
“Is that why you have to find a job?” he asks.
I nod.
“You
know, the offer still stands for you to come and work for me. If you’re not comfortable being my PA you could work in the club pulling pints and collecting glasses.”
“That’s nice of you to offer.” I say, mildly sarcastic, but I don’t think he picks up on it.
“I like you.”
“Um – thanks. But I’m going to put out some feelers first, and if I can’t find anything I might take you up on it.”
“I think I’m offended,” he smirks.
“Why?”
“Because you just said you’d take the job with me only as a last resort.”
“It’s not like that.”
“What is it like then?” he asks, clearly enjoying himself.
“Well, we’re on a date aren’t we?”
“Yes.”