The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“Pretty romantic, Dr. Martin,” I said, raising my brows as he ordered a bottle of champagne.

“This is different. They serve the most immaculate food and this is a celebration,” he said in defense. “Look, elbows on the table,” he said, wiggling his fingers in front of me so I could see them.

“I’m not afraid of what you’ll do to me tonight.”

“No? Not afraid I may corner you somewhere?” His lips turned up on one side with a sexy smirk as he sat back in his seat.

“I’m more afraid of what I’ll do to you,” I said, casually glancing away from my menu to gauge his reaction.

“Come again?” he said, leaning in.

I licked my lips as I took a sip of champagne then asked the waitress for water as well, my mouth suddenly dry. “Let’s just order,” I said, changing the subject. He wore a slightly confused look as he appeared to concentrate on the menu.

We sat in silence until the waitress came back to take our order.

“You are so beautiful,” he said, closing his menu. “What you did for my mother, beautiful. What you are doing for your patients is amazing.”

“How would you know?”

“I got curious when you wouldn’t return my calls,” he said, shrugging my shoulders.

“Ah, Beatr

ice,” I said, “she has a mouth on her.”

“I like her very much,” he said sincerely. “She’s a straight shooter.”

“That she is, and apparently a spy for you.” Shaking my head, I continued, “You are shameless.”

“So I talk to her once a day,” he admitted without apology. “She said you have been tireless in your efforts.”

“I just want to do more for them, Dean. I just want to change the standard practice of treatment, become a little more involved. Diet, counseling…Over all, I just want to provide better care. The first thing people do when they are diagnosed and hear the word cancer is brace themselves for death. I want to change that instinct from hopelessness to fight.”

“You have my attention. Tell me more.”

He must have sensed my excitement to share with him, because as I started to speak, a slow warm smile covered his face. We finished the bottle of champagne as I laid out my treatment plan and he added his suggestions.

“You’re glowing, you know, when you talk about this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this excited.”

“I just know it could work. I mean, it’s nothing new. It’s simple, really, but I think it could change things for the better.”

“Well, then…get it done,” he mused, crossing his arms in front of him.

“I’m on it. Piece of cake,” I said, chuckling.

“I believe you can,” he said sincerely.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked around us. The feel of the restaurant was amazing. I heard Etta James singing “I’ve Been Loving You” as I took in the Tiffany chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and the high backed, plush red chairs we sat in. The décor was tasteful, elegant, and romantic. Dean took a rose from a basket the hostess brought by and handed it to me. I inhaled the fragrant flower with my comment.

“I think I’m in love with this place.”

“Wait until you taste the food,” he said. “You will love it even more.”

“Take one of your dates here recently, hot shit?”

“I haven’t been on a date in a very long time, Dallas,” he said seriously. I nodded, dropping the subject.

Dean was on point. The food was amazing and the sounds coming out of both of us as we tasted each other’s dishes were moans of appreciation. We kept the conversation light and laughed hysterically as we took a trip or two down memory lane. I had to force myself to finish my food instead of eyeing my date. The longer I was with him, the more certain I became of my decision, and I told him as much as he walked me back to his car an hour later.