Daddy's Searching

“I do. Morales.”

“Ah, Mr. Morales. Let me show you to your table.”

In a flourish of elegant manners, he held out Belinda’s chair and placed her napkin on her lap as Pedro sat next to her. Placing menus at their place settings, he informed them, “Your server tonight will be Jonathan. Enjoy your meal.”

“I’ve never been here, Pedro. But I’ve heard wonderful things about it,” Belinda leaned close to tell him.

“I have not either. We’ll experience it together. Little girls are not usually allowed to drink but tonight is a special occasion. Do you like wine?”

“Red wine or sweet white wine,” she answered as the waiter approached.

“Good evening. I’ll be your server. I’m Jonathan. May I bring you anything to drink?”

“We’d both like water, please, and I’d like to see the wine list.”

“Of course.”

A few minutes later, Pedro lifted a glass of deep red Chianti toward Belinda. She grasped the thin stem of her glass and clinked hers against his. “What are we toasting?” she asked.

“To life’s surprises,” he suggested.

“I like that.” Raising the glass to her lips, Belinda sipped the ruby liquid and smiled. “Ooh, I like that, too.”

“I’m glad I chose wisely. Special occasions deserve special treats.”

Before she could ask what the special occasion was, he gestured at his menu and asked, “What looks good?”

“It all looks magnificent. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.” Belinda scanned the menu. “Sharon always raves about the Steak Oscar, but I’m not a big steak fan. What are you thinking about having?”

“I am going to have exactly that. I think I’d have to wrestle Knox if I tried anything else,” Pedro said with a laugh.

“No one should have to wrestle Knox.” She scanned Pedro’s body, remembering the powerful muscles that she’d spotted that morning in the infamous towel encounter. “You might be able to take him.”

“No one should mess with Knox. I am looking forward to having someone to work out with though. Now, what is your first choice on the menu?”

Belinda’s eyes flitted over the lobster mac and cheese. It sounded phenomenal, but the calories that had to be in that dish made her hesitate to order it. “I’ll have a salad,” she announced. That was probably better to have on a date, anyway. She looked up as the server approached.

“Our special tonight is the lobster mac and cheese. It is a delicious mixture of lobster, several cheeses, and fresh pasta. I highly recommend it.”

Belinda fought herself. That sounded delicious. She glanced over at Pedro, who waited for her to order. “I’ll have a salad…”

“We’ll both start with a salad. What is your house dressing?” Pedro slid deftly into the conversation.

“We are known for our blue cheese, sir.”

“I’ll look forward to trying it. Belinda?”

“I like blue cheese.”

“Perfect. And for the main course?” the waiter asked.

“The lady will have the special and I’ll have the Steak Oscar, medium, please.”

“Wonderful choices, sir, ma’am. I’ll return with the salads and some bread.”

“I was just going to have a salad,” Belinda told Pedro quickly as the waiter left.

“I know. I also know that you wanted the lobster mac and cheese. If you dislike it, you don’t have to eat it,” he assured her.