Love After All
Page 12

“I do. And I’d love to.”
He made a quick call, then hung up. “We have reservations in an hour, so we have time to finish our wine.”
They talked some more, about his job, and hers. He asked her a lot of questions about being a teacher, and they finally headed out. She took her car and followed him so he wouldn’t have to drive her back to Hope.
The restaurant was in Brookside. Trendy, clean lines, with traditional Asian details yet modern at the same time. And everything smelled fantastic when they walked in. She’d heard about it and was dying to try the food.
They were led to a table for two and handed menus by the waitress. Chelsea ordered a sparkling water and Kris decided on sake. They sipped their drinks and discussed the menu.
“I don’t know about you,” she said, “but just reading the menu makes me hungry.”
“I thought we’d have drinks for a while. Maybe start with some appetizers?”
“Sure.” She checked the appetizer menu. “What looks good to you?”
“You choose. I can eat anything.”
She decided on a mixed platter for two people, since it contained a combination of several items. And when she ordered the appetizer, Kris ordered more sake.
“Are you sure you don’t want something other than water?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine, but thanks.”
She asked him about his job. He told her one of the things he liked about contract law was that once he had made partner, his work hours settled and became more regular, which meant his life became his own again.
Score one for her list. Regular work hours.
“Yeah, the associates put in all the long hours at the firm, just like I had to do when I first joined. It’s a pain in the ass, but you have to pay your dues.”
He signaled the waitress for another drink.
“I’m sure it was hard, having to work so much.”
He smiled. “Part of the job, you know? I’m sure you work just as hard.”
“Well, I don’t pull all-nighters. But there are a lot of nights and weekends spent doing lesson plans and grading papers.”
“I’ll bet. Still, it’s admirable work you do.”
The waitress brought their appetizers and Kris’s drink.
“This looks amazing,” she said.
“Would you like to order dinner now?” their waitress asked.
“I think we’re fine for the moment,” Kris said. “But you can go ahead and bring me another sake.”
Chelsea frowned. There was a full one sitting right in front of him. And he was already ordering another?
He also didn’t scoop any of the appetizer onto the plate the waitress had provided.
“Which one would you like to try? A spring roll, maybe?”
“No, I’m good for now. You go ahead.”
She decided to go ahead and eat, since she was hungry, but she was going to keep a strong eye on Kris.
Oddly enough, he exhibited no signs of being drunk, despite having had four sakes and the wine at Bash’s bar. Granted, she was a lightweight as far as alcohol went, but still, she knew what a powerful punch sake packed. After four and no food, one would think he’d feel the effects.
When she finished the appetizer, the waitress came to clear their plates.
“Would you like to order dinner now?”
Chelsea looked over at Kris.
“Sure.”
She was relieved he was going to eat. They placed their orders, and Chelsea cringed when Kris switched his drink to vodka on the rocks.
He had three of those before dinner was served.
It was a weeknight. He had to work tomorrow. If she’d had that much to drink, Kris would have to carry her out of the restaurant.
Still, he conversed normally with her. He seemed totally relaxed, but otherwise didn’t appear to be overly drunk.
It was a little unnerving.
And when dinner arrived, she hoped maybe eating some food would suspend the drinking. It didn’t. As soon as their waitress delivered the food, he ordered another vodka. He drank all through dinner—which he ate very little of—then ordered an after-dinner port.
The man was an alcohol-imbibing machine.
He walked her outside to her car after dinner. He didn’t weave or bob or act in any way like he was drunk. But Chelsea was very concerned about him.
“I had a great time tonight, Chelsea.”
She turned to face him. “Kris, I’m a little bit concerned about how much you had to drink tonight. Are you sure you’re okay?”
He frowned. “What? Oh, sure. I’m fine. Don’t even worry about that. I drink a lot. I think it’s a throwback from my college days and all those long nights as an associate. But I can handle it.”
Yeah, right. “How about I drive you home?”
He waved his hand. “Nah. I’m good. I just live a couple of blocks away.”
“How about I follow you home?”
He laid his hand on the roof of her car. “Is that your way of saying you’d like to come over?”
Not a chance in hell. “Actually, I’m more interested in you making it home safely. Then I need to get home. Tomorrow’s a school day, you know.”
“That’s sweet.” He tipped her chin and leaned in for a kiss. The alcohol from his breath nearly knocked her over. “How about I call you tomorrow?”
She couldn’t unlock her car quickly enough. “You do that. Thank you again for dinner.”