Page 45 of The Artist

Chapter13

The limo picked them up at six o’clock that night.

Peter said they had reservations at Ruth’s Chris for seven o’clock.The drive took about thirty-five or forty minutes, which gave them time for a drink in the restaurant bar.

She gazed at Peter and thought he looked so handsome in his tux.

With no intention of getting drunk so she ordered a glass of Malbec.It was her favorite red wine and appropriate, since they were at a steak house.Averygood steak house.She’d never been before but had heard wonderful things about the restaurant from some of the gallery patrons.She noticed that aside from the bar, all the tables were in small alcoves for privacy.The set-up kept the noise to a minimum and they spoke easily without having to shout.

Much to her surprise, they were seated in a private room immediately after getting their drinks.

“This is really nice.”She looked around.The room was small with just enough room for the wait sataff to get around the table and for a tray stand in the corner.A still life and two landscapes graced the walls—tasteful prints of paintings she’d had in her gallery.

A waiter entered carrying a tray with two glasses and a chilled bottle of Aqua Panna water.He poured them each a glass .

“I’ll return shortly for your orders.”Then he turned and left the room.

Alexis took a sip of the water.The liquid might be some of the best water in the world, but it didn’t taste any different than the water from her tap.Of course, Colorado had some of the best drinking water in the United States, so perhaps that was perhaps why she couldn’t detect the difference.

“What would you like for dinner?”Peter picked up his menu and began to peruse the offerings.“I think I’ll get a T-bone with a lobster tail, baked potato with the works, French onion soup, and seared Ahi tuna for an appetizer to share, if that meets with your approval?”

She nodded.“The seared tuna sounds wonderful.I’ll have the petite filet, with garlic mashed potatoes and the French onion soup.”Alexis looked up at Peter.“I love French onion soup.It’s my favorite, and I only get it when I go somewhere nice to eat, which means I don’t get it often.”

He set his menu back on the table and took her left hand in his.“I’ll have to remedy that.Veronica makes a French onion soup that puts the stuff here to shame.Don’t get me wrong, the soup here is wonderful.It’s just that Veronica’s is so much better.You’ll see.I’ll have her make some tomorrow.”

Alexis waved her hands in front of her and shook her head.“I don’t want her to go out of her way for me.”

“It’s not out of her way.She prepares it for me all the time, and I do believe I want some of hers.You’can tell the difference between good soup and spectacular soup.You’ll see.”

“I can’t wait.”

The server returned and took their orders.

“So what is this fund raiser for?”

“It’s the annual Crystal Ball for diabetes.We hope that by throwing enough money at the problem We can find a cure.”

“That’s a wonderful cause.I have a cousin who has it and two great aunts that died from complications of the disease.”

Their dinners arrived and they dug in.

Alexis had never had such a tender steak and the mashed potatoes were to die for.By the time she was finished, she was sure she would split the seams of the beautiful gown she wore for the gala they were attending after dinner.

Luckily, that didn’t happen, and before she knew it, they were whisked away in the limo to the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Gallery.

She felt like Cinderella arriving at the ball.

Peter took her hand when she stepped out of the limo.

She looked up at the entrance and her stomach felt like butterflies were having a race in there.

“You’re shaking.”He tucked her arm in his left arm and covered her hand with his right hand.“Calm down.All will be well.”

“Tell that to my heart.”She took a deep breath and released it.Her butterflies settled and she trusted that Peter was correct.

He chuckled.“Let’s go.You’ll see it’s not so bad.”

They walked into the ballroom.