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An ih the restaurant, past well-dressed patrons Some of them had to be House an’s face and stopped what they were doing I got a few stares as well, some surprised and puzzled, soan wherever he went, and I was getting the once-overs as they tried to figure out as so special That was fine They wouldn’t ruin the date for me

We arrived at a secluded table covered in chocolate-colored cloth Rogan held my chair out He didn’t make it slide out for ht it would be just me and Connor

I sat He took his place across froainst the wall, a spot that would conveniently let hier

A waitress appeared at our table as if by an asked me

Why not "Yes"

"What do you like?"

I liked Asti Spumante It eet and bubbly and it cost five dollars per bottle "Red Not too dry" Here’s hoping I didn’t an ordered a wine froranted knighthood by soan frorinned back The set of his shoulders relaxed slightly

I stared at theto eat since I stole a bear claw fro"

"You didn’t steal it All my bear claws are yours"

I studied the appetizers Roasted Portobello mushroom ravioli Tenderloin carpaccio Chilled seafood cocktail

"Is so?" he asked me There it was, that weary caution in his eyes

"I’ to decide what I can order that has the shed quietly under his breath "I’ve never seen you spill anything on yourself"

"That’s not true When ere clih-rise on Sahetti all over hed

"That doesn’t count You stepped on it"

More like rolled in it, but noasn’t the best tiain with a bottle of red wine She dralasses There was some sort of cerelass a certain way, swished the wine inside, slass and took a s

"It’s delicious," I said

Rogan nodded at the waitress She beamed and stepped aside Another waiter appeared A bread basket was placed on our table containing several small loaves, crunchy and fresh from the oven Small heated plates of two types of herbed olive oil followed The aroma of freshly baked bread made my mouth water

"Appetizers?" the waitress asked

I hit complete decision paralysis "You pick"

"Carpaccio," he said

I had ordered carpaccio the first ti to convince me to work for hiain

I took a s of my wine The tension of the day slowly seeped out ofhis fingers with an went away Connor was looking at ht as well have been alone in the whole world

"Thank you I needed this after today"

"Thank you for coore It can also be this"

"This is very nice"

"I’lad you like it"

Carpaccio arrived I ordered a double-thick pork chop, and Rogan went for a dry-aged rib eye

The carpaccio tasted divine We ate it with crusty bread dipped in olive oil

"You were in ," I told him