Page 16 of Better Together

“You’re all dressed up, so I’m taking you on a real date.”

* * *

When Zeke had stepped into the bar to talk with the owner, he’d noticed Mitch grabbing the waitress’s ass. She responded with a flirtatious smile. Zeke refrained from heading over there to have a discussion on how to treat women. Instead, he waved with a smirk on his face, knowing Alexis was waiting for him.

He placed a call to his favorite restaurant. One he hadn’t taken any of his dates to before. He wanted to show Alexis how a real man treated a woman on a date. He headed to the next town over, which bordered a small lake. The restaurant was known for their walleye dinners. The weather, a perfect fall day with the colorful leaves and only a slight breeze, would be perfect for sitting on the deck overlooking the lake.

Alexis turned slightly in her seat. “Not that I don’t appreciate the irony in this, but seeing as I’m already in the truck with you, I have to ask, where are we headed?”

He chuckled. Alexis always made him laugh. “To my favorite restaurant. The Lakeside Inn.”

“Now that is a place I can get excited about. I still have never been. You’ve talked about it several times.”

“I’m sorry I’ve never taken you there before now. My favorite is the parmesan-crusted walleye with stone-ground mustard, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. But their Scottish salmon stuffed with crab meat, garlic chive mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli is a close second.”

Alexis wiped her mouth. “I think I just drooled.”

“Over me or the anticipation of the best fish dinner around?”

“Maybe a little of both.”

* * *

Alexis couldn’t believe she’d said that out loud, but the way Zeke looked at her, she knew he was pleased by her response.

When they arrived, the hostess guided them through an outdoor seating area larger than the one inside, set up on an expansive deck that abutted the lake. Lights were strung from post to post, and heat lamps were scattered around. Melodic incidental music played over the speakers. Zeke kept his hand on her lower back as they were escorted to their seats, and he pulled out her chair for her when they arrived at their table.

“This is beautiful.” She gestured to the sugar maples, their orange, red, and yellow leaves contrasting majestically against the clear blue sky and reflecting their bright colors in the water. The scattered birch trees lifted their leaves with the breeze. Relaxing in her seat, she followed a red-tailed hawk across the sky with her eyes, his screeching call echoing above.

Alexis glanced at Zeke. He was watching her. “What?”

“You’re beautiful.”

She was prevented from responding with a quip by the arrival of their server, who brought glasses of water and handed each of them menus.

“Our special today is an almond-crusted walleye with stuffed hash browns and grilled broccoli. The soup is New England clam chowder. I’ll give you some time to decide. What can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll have a glass of Pinot Grigio,” Alexis said.

“And you, sir?”

“I’ll have a black whale, and if you could bring a pitcher of water, that would be great.”

“Absolutely. I’ll be right back.”

Alexis leaned forward. “What’s a black whale?”

“A Guinness poured over an Alaskan Amber.”

Their drinks arrived and she watched Zeke’s beer mix. The heavier beer cascaded into the lighter one, creating a tantalizing effect.

“That’s really cool. How does it taste?”

He slid the glass over. “Try it.”

Alexis licked her lips free of foam and he groaned inwardly. She was killing him. “You like it?”

“Really good. We should pick some up for our next popcorn night.”