Tony was so enthralled in the vision that it took some time before he realized she wasn’t wearing the dress he’d sent. His buyer had sent him pictures. She wasn’t wearing any of the outfit. Pushing away his irritation, he softly chuckled. Damn, she was the challenge he needed in his life.
Just before 7:00 PM, Tony took a back hall to the front of the restaurant. Squaring his shoulders, he entered the lounge. The blue lighting that accentuated the chic ambience and the piano music both faded as he focused on the only remaining customer. If there had been others, he wouldn’t have noticed. It was only Claire. As Tony approached, he watched her expression. Though she wore a mask of calm, in her emerald eyes he saw the fire he’d so desperately craved. With each step, he relished the warmth, like a frozen man in the wilderness coming upon lifesaving flames. Her heat radiated throughout the empty room pulling him closer. When he stood before her, her neck straightened. With a nod he said, “Good evening, Claire.”
“Good evening, Tony. Won’t you please have a seat?”
Refusing to lose sight of her eyes, he maintained their gaze and replied, “Thank you.”
As he sat opposite her, he tried to read her thoughts. Before he could evaluate, she said, “It was nice of you to accommodate my change in plans.” Gesturing toward a bottle of wine, she continued, “I took the liberty of ordering us a bottle of wine.”
Lifting the bottle, he assessed the label. “Excellent choice.”
Before their conversation could continue, a waiter appeared at their side. “Monsieur and Mademoiselle, your table is not yet ready. May I open your wine?”
Tony knew that there was one remaining couple in the dining room. As he was about to reply, Claire spoke, “Oui, merci.” Her French was Americanized, but French nonetheless.
Once the waiter departed, Tony said, “My, Claire, you continue to amaze me. I see you’re trying to show me the new, independent Claire Nichols.” When she didn’t speak, he continued, “You don’t need to work so hard. I’ve been observing you from afar and am already impressed.”
“Tony, my goal isn’t to impress. My goal is to show that I don’t need your observation. I’m doing quite well on my own.”
“I believe you have surpassed my expectations, once again.”
“And for the record, I was independent before our encounter.”
“Yes,” he paused. “I can see how you would think that.” He sipped his wine. “Now tell me, what was the point with the change in venue?”
“There was no point. I’ve eaten here before, and I thought you’d enjoy the cuisine.”
“I see.” He continued to sip the wine. “That’s good. I was afraid you were trying to manipulate our visibility—”
Before he could continue, the maître d’ approached their table. “Excusez-moi, but your table, it is ready.”
“Merci,” Tony replied as he stood. While Claire gathered her handbag, Tony politely helped her with her chair.
As they walked through the empty lounge, Tony nodded to the pianist and reached out to direct Claire’s movement. His fingers contacted the warmth of her exposed back, and he fought the urge to explore below the draping material. Oh, it wouldn’t be an uncharted expedition. He knew every inch of her body, but it had been too long. Leaning down, placing his lips near her ear, he inhaled her scent. With every ounce of restraint, he kept his lips from contacting her skin. Instead, he said, “I’m glad visibility wasn’t your goal for this evening. I would hate to disappoint you.”
As they stepped from the lounge into the dining area, Claire’s neck stiffened and she gasped. Meeting him eye to eye, she boldly asked, “What have you done?”
He smirked, “I wanted to spend time with you, without the diversion of others.”
“Where are the other people?”
“I believe they accepted an unbelievable offer. In essence, I rented the entire restaurant. After all, you said it was delicious, and I wanted to enjoy the food and your company.”
“You bought out the entire place?”
He suddenly feared she’d run. Keeping a calm façade, he answered, “Yes, Claire. Shall we sit? I believe you requested this central table.”
Overwhelmed with relief as she settled upon the cushioned seat, he gently pushed her chair under the table. Before they could resume their conversation, the waiter was present, delivering their wine and glasses to their new location. It may only be one person, but they both knew the importance of appearances. Once he was gone, Tony lifted his glass of wine and proposed a toast. “To you, the only person in this world who can keep me on my toes.”
Taking a sip, he watched intently as Claire waged an internal war. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed watching the battle of wills behind her eyes. As she began to take a drink, he laughed at the outcome. She’d just lost and he’d watched it all.
“I hope you’re amused.” She placed the glass back on the table without drinking. “I believe I’m getting a headache. We’ll need to postpone this dinner for another time.”
As she began to push herself away from the table, his heart raced. Tony wouldn’t allow her to leave, not now, not after so much time. He reached across the table and covered her hand. Summoning his most gentle touch, he explained. After all, that was what Catherine had said to do—to have faith. Let Claire decide. She couldn’t decide if she didn’t know his intent. Sheepishly, he implored, “Claire, I’d like you to stay. Your plans are to be commended. You probably know, but even without the clothes I sent, you’re stunning. Now, if we’re done with this ridiculous posturing, I’d like to talk with you for a while.”
“This wasn’t meant as posturing!” Her tone was hushed and harsh. “I assure you, my head does hurt.”
“I have missed you terribly.” He didn’t intend to say it so bluntly, but he had to let her know. “I have missed your voice, your strength, your smile, and mostly, your eyes. My God, Claire, you have the most amazing eyes!”
“Stop it.”
“Excuse me?” Had she just ordered him to stop talking? Didn’t she realize how hard this was?
“I said, stop it!” The emerald fire intensely burned. She continued, “The last time we spoke in person, I begged to go with you back to your home, our home in Iowa City. As I recall, you offered me a psychiatric institution, so why would I be interested in listening to your drivel today?”
His mind spun. Explain yourself—that was what Catherine had said. He tried. “Well, first, because you accepted my invitation.”
“I accepted your invitation for one reason, to convince you to leave me alone. We are done!”
“My dear, it isn’t that simple.” His tone was flat, leaving no room for debate. He wasn’t going to argue the concept, no matter how ludicrous it was. She was his forever. Done wasn’t an option.
“It is.” Yet he heard the uncertainty in her voice, until her next emphasized word smashed his world to smithereens. “Anton.”
The floor fell from the room. Or perhaps it was the ceiling that fell. Tony wasn’t sure what just happened, but as prepared as he had been for the evening, nothing could have prepared him for that. Straightening his neck, he fought the red. Through clenched teeth, he replied, “My name is Anthony, but you may still address me as Tony.”