Not Sorry

I nod even though I don’t want to give up my coat. I want to keep wearing it because it hides the fact that my outfit isn’t enough. It’s far too cheap, and it shows the second that Sean’s coat is gone.

Sean continues walking once inside, like he owns the place. Maybe he does.

I follow but immediately feel everyone’s eyes go from Sean to me as we walk through the restaurant. When they look at him, they are in awe. When they look at me though, they are wondering why I’m with a guy like him. Even in slacks, he looks like he belongs while I look like…an assistant.

I sigh.

We finally make it to our table, a small circular one near the window that looks out at the city. We take a seat across from each other. I smile, trying to act like walking through the restaurant and getting stared at didn’t bother me.

Sean smirks, and I know that he knows how uncomfortable I was while walking in here.

The waiter comes over and looks at Sean. “Mr. Burrows, so nice to see you again. Would you like your usual?”

Sean nods.

The waiter then looks at me, a bit surprised. “And what can I get you? Or do you need a few moments with the menu? I can start you off with something to drink.”

I know I need to make a decision quickly. That is what Sean wants. A decisive woman who is willing to stand up for herself.

I glance at the wine menu in front of me. “I’ll have your house pinot grigio and…” I glance down at the menu and find the cheapest thing I can find. “The Caesar salad.”

The waiter raises an eyebrow and then looks at Sean, like he is going to approve or deny what I just ordered. Sean and him exchange some kind of secret conversation that I’m not privy to.

“Very good, sir,” the waiter says.

“What was that about?” I ask after the waiter has left.

“You come to the best restaurant in town, and that is what you order? A salad and cheap wine?”

I frown and then lean back as waiters begin pouring us water, and a napkin is placed in my lap.

“You know what my salary is. I can’t afford anything more.”

He chuckles. “You think I would let you pay?”

I feel the anger growing fast inside me. “Excuse me? Let me pay? I’m more than capable of paying for my own dinner, thank you.” I throw my napkin down on the table, not caring that I am making a scene. “You know what? This job isn’t worth it.”

Sean stands and grabs my hand. “Stay. I’m just trying to push your buttons. It seems it’s the only way to get that fierce, sassy mouth to tell me how you really feel.”

I frown. “You can push me without insulting me.”

He nods and slowly sits back down while I still stand, towering over him.

“I would love for you to have dinner with me. I’ll try my best to behave.”

He grins, and everything inside me calms. One stupid grin, and I believe everything he says. I slowly sit back down.

An appetizer platter larger than anything I have ever seen and a bottle of wine are brought out. My eyes grow large as I watch Sean taste the wine and then nod in approval. I can’t believe the amount of food that has been placed in front of us, and this is just the appetizer. The waiter pours me the red wine as well and then leaves us in peace.

“I don’t like red wine,” I say, looking at the full glass in front of me.

“You’ll like this one.”

I frown. “I doubt it.”

“Just try it,” he says, sighing.

I take a sip and immediately say, “I don’t like it.”