Romance or Friendship…
The hotel had an intimate bistro located downstairs decorated in the same creams and blacks from the bedrooms. The walls were covered in black and cream pinstriped wallpaper with a black wainscoting for an elegant touch. There was a limited number of tables, each black with cream tablecloths, adorned with a small vase with a red rose. The roses were surrounded by three small candles that cast a delicate glow on the diner’s faces. To say it was a romantic atmosphere would be an understatement.
I spotted Jack easily. He was leaned up against the bar talking casually to the male bartender and holding a short glass of amber liquor. I started to walk toward him and halfway to him he looked up and met my gaze. His stare stopped me dead in my tracks. His eyes locked with mine in a way they never had before. There was passion burning the same shade of amber as the liquor in his glass. Was it the dress or me that has caused this stir in him?
I continued my walk towards him, and he began to strut towards me. My eyes fell to the floor the closer we got to one another. The intensity was making me anxious. This dinner is already feeling like a date, and a date is something I haven’t done in two years.
The intensity must have been too much for Jack as well, since he was obviously staring at the floor too. Otherwise we wouldn’t have just stumbled into one another in the middle of the bistro. I looked up into his eyes at once.
“Hi.” I breathed.
“Hi, yourself.” He said.
“Do you already have a table?” I couldn’t break his gaze now. It was as if his eyes were physically locked with mine.
“Uh, yeah. It’s over here.” Jack motioned to the right side of the room and led the way there.
I couldn’t help but notice the way the dark denim outlined his firm behind as he walked. What am I thinking about, this is Jack! I was becoming more exasperated by the second.
When we reached our table, Jack pulled out my chair and I sat down. I grabbed the napkin off the table and placed it over my dress.
Taking his seat, he said, “Would you like something to drink? I couldn’t pass up their bourbon.”
I returned his smile and agreed to have the same. The soft glow of the candles was accentuating the line of his jaw and the crinkles around his eyes when he smiled. I started picking at the fabric of my linen tablecloth.
“You’re awful quiet tonight Kate? Everything okay?” Jack asked.
“Just a little anxious. This trip has been overwhelming for me and we haven’t even begun, really.”
“You have got to learn to relax a little. Maybe the drink will help loosen you up some.” He said.
I clenched my thighs together at that remark and smiled shyly at him.
“You know what helps me relax?” I asked.
Jack placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward, resting his chin on his fists.
“What’s that, Kate?” He asked.
“Planning. Let’s scout out which museums and landmarks well be exploring tomorrow? Maybe we can discuss which lesson plans we want to start focusing on?” I said,
Jack dropped his elbows back into his lap and leaned back in his chair.
“That’s what makes you relax? We’re not at Sterling High anymore. Tell me what helps you relax when you aren’t Miss Reed?” Jack’s devilish dimples were on full display.
I had nearly picked a hole through that poor linen cloth in my lap. I stared down at my knotted hands for some type of answer that wouldn’t make me sound like the OCD prude my sister thinks I am. Just then the waiter appeared with my drink and a refill on Jack’s. Bless that man.
I picked up my drink and tipped it back slowly, drinking about a third of the short glass. I could feel the warmth from the liquor racing down my throat and throughout my veins. I felt the warmth down to my toes. After a little liquid encouragement, I answered him back.
“What helps me relax at home is a hot, steaming bath. I like to turn the lights down, light a few candles, and fill the tub bath oils that make the room smell heavenly and my skin feel so soft.”
Jack’s mouth fell open slightly and his stare turned the flush on my body up to a fever. He reached across the table and caressed my hand that was holding my drink. The sensation resonated deep within me. I crossed my legs to depress the ache between them and held his gaze. The candles flickering flames seemed to dance with the gold flecks in his dark eyes.
“You’re right, your skin is so soft.” Jack closed his eyes as if he was inhaling the bath oils on my body.
“Jack…” I breathed.
Suddenly, he pulled his hands back from mine and sat upright in his chair.
“Jack?”
“I’m so sorry, Kate. I don’t know what came over me. It must be the bourbon; I think its stronger here in France.” Jack looked down at his drink then and his dimples disappeared.
“It’s okay. Did you still want to get dinner, or just get it upstairs? Like, room service. But, in our own rooms!” I brought my left hand up to my forehead and waited for his reply with my eyes closed. I couldn’t even look at his after all the babbling I just did.
When he didn’t respond, I peeked up at him from under my palm and found him smirking into his drink. Our eyes met then fell away again quickly.
“I think I will just get room service tonight.” Jack said. “We can meet up for breakfast and figure out our plans for the day then.” He stood up from the table, downed the last of his drink, and nodded his goodbye before he walked away.
What was that? I downed he rest of my drink and had to gag a little at the burn on my throat and the tang left on my tongue. I guess I’ll be eating in my room tonight as well. I left a few euros on the table and headed off to my room for a long night of overthinking.
Kate Rhett, Author 