Change of Plans

I got to the restaurant early to get a drink at the bar. I let the host know that I was here so that he could come and get me when my table was ready. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, hoping that I wouldn’t sweat right through my suit. I walked to the bar and scanned the room. Pretty slow today, I thought, but then again, it was a weekday.

I sat down at the bar top which was natural wood color with a smooth glossy finish. The chair to the bar was cool and felt good on my back. The bartender was wearing all black, his top button undone. He was clean-shaven and well-groomed, “What can I get for you, sir?”

“What kind of merlot do you have?”

“We have several options, but Wandering Giant is our most popular.” He replied as though I needed no other option.

“That’ll be fine thank you.”

He left and came back with a glass and a fresh bottle. He opened it and poured a small sample that was to my satisfaction. He filled the glass to the perfect level and wiped the neck.

As he turned to walk away I said, “You can just leave the bottle.”

He simply nodded in acquiescence and turned to help the other patrons. I swirled the glass, looking at the beautiful ruby color sparkling in the glass. I drank deeply hoping that it would kick in soon enough to calm my nerves.

Why did I do this again? I thought.

Blind dates were normally not my thing, but my friend Sara had convinced me that I should be getting out more. She was probably right. All I seemed to do these days was throw myself in my work. That was all I knew anymore. Ever since Jen left me, I didn’t even allow myself time to think. I just threw myself into my writing.

I finished my first glass and poured myself another, not nearly as professionally as my new bartender friend had. I didn’t even really drink wine very often, but this place seemed to call for it. My attention was turned as a beautiful woman in a red silk dress sat to my right a few chairs down. Her hair was curled and pinned down on one side, while it cascaded over her shoulder on the other side. The dress was not too revealing but fit her figure well. She looked quite stunning.

She held her hand up and the bartender came over her way. “Merlot?” She asked.

I smirked and held up my glass to her, “The Wandering Giant is good.”

She smiled politely and turned her attention back to the bartender, “That works for me.” She turned back to me and said, “thanks for the recommendation. I don’t normally drink it.”

“Wine or merlot?”

She laughed, “Both.”

I nodded, “Same here.”

The bartender came back with a glass and poured it with the same freakishly robotic precision. I’m sure he’s done it a million times, I thought. I watched her in the mirror behind the liquor bottles as she thanked him and took a long drink from her glass. She set it down and caught me staring. She smiled and I smiled back politely before looking away, somewhat embarrassed that I was caught ogling her.

“So what do you normally drink?” She asked.

“Pardon?”

“What do you like to drink? And, for that matter, why aren’t you drinking it?” She asked.

“Oh, well I’m usually a beer kind of guy, but this place seemed too nice for a beer I guess.” I nodded sheepishly. “How about you?”

She shook her head, “Well normally I would just be drinking vodka on the rocks, but I’ve noticed that men don’t seem to like that too much so I figured I would drink something more lady-like.”

“Vodka rocks huh? I think I’m too much of a wimp for that.”

“Well not everybody can be as perfect as me.” She winked.

“Oh I see, throw on a red dress and get a glass of red wine and now you’re perfect? If I were only so lucky, but I don’t think I would look as good in red.”

She looked him up and down approvingly, but tried to play coy, “Never know, might be an improvement.”

“Ouch.” My face scrunched up at her.

She practically spat out her wine, some dribbling out of her lips and down her chin, “Shit.” She said as she tried to not ruin her makeup.

I stood and handed her a napkin, “Here.”

“Thanks.” She said. She dabbed her lips, leaving the white napkin with a red-stained outline of them. “Sorry about the comment. I was only kidding. You seem like the kind of guy that has a big enough ego to handle it.” She chuckled.

“Ouch again. Was that even a real apology? Does that count?” I asked as I sat down next to her.

I couldn’t help but be intrigued by her. She seemed different than most women. Her dark brown eyes held flecks of green that popped like the northern lights. Her laugh was as beautiful as it was contagious. Only half a bottle in and I was intoxicated. More by her presence than the wine. And her scent. What was that? It was like vanilla in a garden of flowers.

Before I knew it, we had all but finished the bottle of wine and the host was coming to get me to take me to my table. “Sir? Your table is ready when you are.”

“Oh. Right. Thank you.” I turned to my new acquaintance who seemed somewhat disappointed that I would be leaving. “Well, it has been a pleasure to meet you. I’m sorry, just realized that I never even got your name. I’m Jake.” I held out my hand.

She took it and said, “I’m Celine.”

“Celine,” I said, enjoying the way her name tasted on my tongue. “Take care, Celine.” I smiled and nodded before standing and buttoning my blazer. I nodded to the host who turned to lead me to my table.

A few steps after him and I stopped. I looked down, jaw clenched, and I shook my head. Forget it, I thought.

I turned back to the bar and Celine had already turned around and was sullenly swirling her drink around her glass.

“Hey,” I said.

She turned and smiled with a glimmer in her eye. “Long time no see.” She said.

“I know we both had separate dates we were supposed to go on tonight, but I had a great time, you want to get out of here?”

She paused, looked around the room, and then back at me. “I think I would very much like that.” She threw back the last of her wine and stood. We walked out of the restaurant to see where the night would take us.