* * *
The restaurant was Italian, the atmosphere typical of local Italian eateries. Dusty wax fruit, faux exposed brick, and frescos of the Italian countryside. Despite the decorating, the smells coming from the kitchen were delightful. Lila felt her stomach rumble and hoped it wasn't loud enough to be heard. It seemed her appetite had decided to return.
Dave pulled out her chair for her and Lila almost blushed at his politeness. He took the seat across from her and smiled. They stared at each other for a few moments, and Lila's nervousness bubbled up. This was the first time she'd ever been on a date. The thought was jarring, considering that she'd done just about everything else with a man, but never once been bought dinner first.
"I'm glad you agreed to come," Dave said after they'd ordered. He dug through the bread basket, pulling out a warm slice and spreading butter on it. "I know it's been a tough time for you lately and I wasn't sure you'd agree."
"Neither was I." Lila decided the truth was the best option for the evening. "I haven't been getting out much since I moved back to town."
"So you're back for good? That's too bad."
Lila frowned. "I'm not completely sure, but I don't think I'll be moving back to Portland anytime soon."
Dave nodded. "I understand. But I don't think you should give up on a whole city because of a bit of bad press."
"Really?"
"A bit of bad press" made it sound like her business had been given a negative review in the local paper. Or that her kitchen had been rated poorly by public health. Oh your kitchen got rated, her contentious inner voice reminded her. It got X-rated.
Still, Lila was interested in an outsider's perspective. "You don't think my chances of building a business are entirely shot?"
Dave's brow furrowed. "Well, I think Gourmet on the Go is gone, excuse the pun."
Lila frowned and Dave hastened to continue. "But that doesn't mean you couldn't start over again. Rebrand."
"Maybe." And maybe I could change my name too. Dye my hair. Wear heels. Become a different person all together.
Dave clearly saw she was skeptical. "It would definitely be a challenge. But I've got an idea, and I think you're going to like it."
"Oh yeah?" Lila didn't share his certainty.
"Yes. I know it's kind of sudden, but I have a proposition for you."
The arrival of dinner interrupted his speech. Lila took a breath, staring down at her plate. His words were unsettling, and it seemed her appetite had once again fled.
Dave took a bite of his pasta then set down his fork. "I told you I've been thinking about expanding, about setting up a new cart." At her nod, he continued. "Well, I've thought about it, and I've decided that maybe a new cart isn't what's needed. Instead, I've thought of diversifying. Of getting into catering."
Lila's eyebrows rose. This was unexpected.
"And since you've got catering experience, I thought maybe you'd like to team up."
Lila was speechless for a moment before she responded. "I wouldn't say I'm that experienced. I only catered two events before I...screwed up."
Dave pushed his glasses up his nose and stared at her. "You don't seem like the type to make the same mistake twice."
Lila frowned. If only you knew...
"Besides, two successful events are better than none. And you're familiar with the business end, with the licensing and promotion. We'd start small, focus on office events and personal parties."
"I don't know if I'd be much help with that. Burritos aren't fine dining, remember, and that's where my training lies."
"You're a smart lady. I'm sure you'd catch on quick."
Lila peered at him, considering his proposal. "I'm not sure if I'd be a good choice as a partner. I haven't decided what I want to do with my future, and I'm in no rush to return to the city."
Dave's grin faded. "I understand. But if you give it a chance, I'm sure we could make it work. Who knows? You're a nice woman, and I'm not a bad looking guy. We might become something more than partners."
Was he saying what she thought he was saying? She'd figured he might like her as more than a business buddy, but he'd never been so forward before. Was he suggesting a business partnership and a relationship?
Like that's worked so well for you.
Lila frowned, wondering if her mistake with Drake had allowed Dave to assume she regularly mixed business and pleasure. Besides, they barely knew each other. Before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out. "But your mother hates me."
Dave frowned. "That doesn't matter. It's time I stopped caring so much about what Mother thinks. I'm not getting any younger." He met her gaze. "Neither of us are."
Lila's face froze at his words and she tried not to take offense.
He continued. "Look, we've got a lot in common. We're both from the same town, the same roots. We both like to cook, and we want to build a successful business. I've been steadily increasing my profits, and I think I've got a lot to offer. I might not be rich," he said, tossing her a knowing look that made Lila inwardly cringe, "but I'm comfortable."
She caught his gist. "You're saying I could do worse."
"You could."
"But what about better?" The words were unstoppable. She'd said she was going to be honest and apparently she'd meant it.
Dave shrugged, but she thought she saw a burst of anger in his eyes. "Life isn't a fairy tale. Sometimes compromise is the best choice you can make."
Compromise. He meant that she should settle, should give up her dream of a gourmet business and concentrate on something less, something she could handle. But the subtext of his words said something else.
She should compromise with her heart. She wasn't the type to end up with a millionaire. She was just a caterer, one from a small town who should learn her place. And Dave was right, she could do worse than him, even if he was a little too involved with his mother.
But the word 'compromise' threw a chill into her chest. Compromise seemed too much like giving up.
Still, as she stared across the table at Dave, who was keeping an eye on her as he dug into his pasta, she suddenly realized what her mother's words had meant.
Lila had been too focused on what her mother's dream had been, a happy family. But Lila's own dream was different. Hers was a successful career, recognition for her talents. And she wasn't ready to quit. She wasn't ready to compromise. Not with her heart, and not with her ambition.
She took a deep breath. "Dave, I appreciate the offer, but I can't accept."
Her date grimaced. "You haven't even given the idea a chance."
"You're right. But I don't think I'm ready to give up yet. I still think I can make it on my own."
"Are you sure?" His eyes bored into hers, and Lila became uncomfortable under their gaze. "You haven't had much luck so far."
Ouch. "I didn't have much time, before..."
"Before you made a mistake."
"Right." Lila could feel the coldness coming from the opposite side of the table. Obviously Dave hadn't expected a refusal. "I made a mistake. It happens. But that doesn't mean I should throw away everything I've worked for." Even as she said the words, she recognized how true they were.
"You haven't got a chance in hell of getting Gourmet on the Go going again."
"You could be right. But like you said, I could rebrand."
Dave laughed. He fucking laughed. "Good luck." He gave her a smile. "It would be much easier to team up with me. No need to rebrand." His hands slid across the table to grasp her own. "We could be good together."
Lila gave him a polite smile. "Look, you barely know me. And I'm not at a stage in my life right now where I'm looking for a relationship."
He dropped her hands. "No?" he said, his tone snarky. "Just looking for a good time on a kitchen table, huh?"
"That's enough," she said, standing up and dropping her napkin on her plate. "I appreciate your offer, and thank you for dinner. But I'm going home now."
"Lila, wait," he said, but didn't bother to stand. "I drove you here."
"I know the way home."
She turned from the table and stalked out of the restaurant.
It was only a mile and a half to her house, and the rain was a light mist that didn't penetrate her jacket. Lila was glad she'd worn flats, though. On her walk home she tried not to think of another time, a decade ago, when she'd plodded home, soaked and embarrassed.
She shook her head. Dinner had not gone as expected, even if she hadn't known what to expect. Her first date, and she'd walked out. It seemed doing things the traditional route hadn't worked any better for her than her other interactions with men. Maybe she was cursed.
Things had deteriorated quickly. Maybe she'd spoken too quickly to Dave, refused his offer without proper consideration. But even as she thought this, she knew it was wrong. Although they were from the same town, Dave and she might as well have been from different planets. Or maybe she was still over the moon for a certain Tall, Dark, and Dangerous.
Her heart wasn't open for compromise. Not when it'd already been stolen.