“I just… I was looking forward to this date and then the door bell rang and it was Eric. I was pissed because it wasn’t you – not that I was pissed at you. I think I would’ve been nicer to him if I hadn’t been about to go on a date with the most beautiful girl walking this earth.”

“I’m on the date too, you know.”

“Huh?” She looked at me questioningly.

“You said you’ll be on a date with the most beautiful girl walking this earth – yourself – and I merely remarked that I am there as well.”

“Cheesy, Porter.”

“I know. But you know what I think?”

“Do I want to?”

“I think you like it.”

“Oh, you do?”

“Uh-uh.”

“And what if I don’t? What if cheesy people turn me off?”

“I don’t turn you off – I don’t turn anyone off but gay males.”

I saw we were nearing the Italian restaurant and I smiled excitedly. I parked the car in front of it – it was never very busy – and hurried myself to Tina’s side to open her door. She smiled at the gesture and that sweet, simple smile melted my heart. I guided her inside, straight to the table at the window I always booked when I took my dates here.

We were barely seated when Guiseppe, the owner, was already tiptoeing around us. He smiled at me brightly while he took our coats – it had been a while since I had visited this place; I only came here with my dates and there had been nobody since Tina.

“Tina, this is Guiseppe. Guiseppe, this is Tina,” I introduced them.

“Fantastico! Can I get you the menu?” he asked, winking at me but making sure Tina didn’t see that. 

“Yes. And Guiseppe – give the lady the normal menu – not the special one.”

Tina looked confused, Guiseppe whistled. “She must be one special lady, eh, miss Bette?”

“For the hundreth time, please just call me Bette.” I moved my hand to Tina’s on the table and squeezed it. “And yes, she’s very special.”

Guiseppe disappeared and came back with the menu cards a few second laters. There were only two other couples in the restaurant, minding their own business very much. I looked at Tina and saw a mix of curiosity and disappointment on her beautiful face. I looked at her hair again – it was wavy and made her look even sexier. I had never seen her like that.