ABBY locked up and went outside to meet the waiting limousine. Andrew had sent a message earlier. He was stuck in a meeting, and sent his driver to pick her up for dinner. She arrived in front of the hotel where he was staying. Its main floor boasted one of the top steakhouse restaurants in San Francisco and she was looking forward to seeing him.

The driver helped her out of the limousine. One of the bellmen opened the door for her to enter the hotel. She hadn’t been one for lounging in upscale hotels or restaurants, so she wasn’t sure what to expect. The lobby area took her breath away. Cathedral ceilings, marble pillars and granite everything welcomed her as she walked in.

She asked one of the men at the bell desk to point her in the direction of the restaurant. He insisted on taking her there so she wouldn’t get lost. Boy, was she glad she said yes. The place was immense. He had told her the restaurant was at the far end of the hotel and offered views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. He wasn’t kidding when he said the far end—it was so far, she thought she may have seen JFK airport on the way there.

Eventually, he pointed to the doors of the restaurant and wished her a good evening. Checking the time, she saw she was still early. She wondered whether Andrew had already arrived. She was about to text him when she felt his arms snake around her waist and his lips on her cheek.

“You look amazing,” he whispered into her ear. His familiar woodsy cologne wafted up her nose. She knew it was him.

“Hi Andrew. Thanks,” she said, turning to face him. He looked so good, she couldn’t subdue her stray thoughts of peeling off his suit and crisp white shirt. Just looking at him made her feel flush.

“I’ve missed you today,” he said, kissing her forehead.

She put her arms around him. “Me too,” she answered looking up into his eyes.

“Were you waiting for long?” He asked.

“No. I just got here.”

“Great. Let’s go in.”

He held her hand and led her inside. A warm maître d’ greeted them, calling Andrew by his last name before they managed to announce themselves. He led them through a long hallway, with floor to ceiling aquarium tanks on both sides. For a moment, she wished they could stop and admire the exotic species of fish teaming in the large tanks, but her feet were already a little sore from all that walking.

They rounded a bend into a dimly lit private dining room. Impressionist paintings lined the mahogany walls on one side, and the other three walls were floor to ceiling windows looking out on a stunning panoramic view of the bay. The maître d’ seated them at the table at the center of the room, and excused himself.

“So how was your first day back?” he asked, looking intently at her for a response.

She took in the view briefly, and turned to him. “It was great. I had a nice run this morning. I really needed that after sitting around for so long.”

“Very nice. And how did your ankle hold up?”

“Great. A little tight at first, but the discomfort passed in no time. After that, I went to campus and caught up with a few classmates for the seminar I missed. I didn’t miss too much at all.”

“Good to hear.” He had a dazzling smile.

“I went home after that. And met your staff at my front door. Those were your staff, right?”

“Technically, yes. They’re employees of the Carrington’s department store closest to where you live. Did you like the things they picked out?”

“They were all gorgeous. I’ve never bought that many clothes at one time. It was really sweet of you, Andrew.”

“My pleasure. And did they all fit?”

“The ones I tried fit really well. I tried some of the shoes too. Loved them all. There wasn’t enough time to check them all out.”

“I’d love to get you to one of the designer shops in LA sometime. They can get you fitted, and will custom make exactly what you like.”

“More clothes? Gosh, I’m not sure I’ll ever get around to wearing all the ones they brought by today. It feels like so much.”

He reached his arm across the table and took her hand. “I hope you let me spoil you a little more, Abby.”

The waiter arrived and Andrew ordered a bottle of wine before they looked over the menu.

“So what’s good here?” She asked, grateful for the distraction from talk about the clothes. Not that she was uncomfortable about his gesture. She just felt it was too much of a gift. No one had ever done anything like that for her. And now he wanted to get her more things? She felt special, but it was a lot.

“Everything is exceptional on the menu. The head chef is brimming with talent, and he personally makes sure everything that leaves his kitchen is exactly to order. He may come out at some point tonight.”

“Very nice. And what’s your favorite entrée on the menu?”

“Do you like seafood?”

“Yes, I love salmon, shrimp, and lobster. I’m not a big lover of mussels or crab.”

“Very nice. This restaurant specializes in steak, as the name suggests. But you’d be surprised, their best menu items are seafood dishes. I’m sure you’ve noticed that as we’re in North Beach, many of these restaurants have a strong Italian influence as well. The result is a unique fusion of flavor I can never seem to re-create when I’m at the cottage.”

“Sounds tasty. What do you recommend?”

“Hmmm. Definitely their insalata caprese to start.” He read from the menu. “It’s got fresh mozzarella over a vine-ripened tomato slices, served with fresh basil leaves, and drizzled with their own blend of balsamic vinaigrette. Topped off with fresh ground pepperoni.”

“I’d love to try that.”

“Good. I’ll have it too. And for the entrée, if you’re interested in experimenting, they have a tasty blackened swordfish. It has a wild rice medley and seasonal vegetables. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Sure. I’ve never tried swordfish.”

“Well some people say it tastes like a light pork chop; others say it’s like medium rare steak. It’s worth a try.”

“Kind of like skydiving, but not as dangerous,” Abby joked.

He looked up from the menu and smiled. “Yes, exactly like that. Have you been?”

Before Abby could answer, the waiter came back with the wine. Andrew inspected the bottle and handed it back to the waiter. He opened it, poured a small amount into one glass, which he passed to Andrew. Andrew gave him the nod of approval after he sniffed and sampled it. Only then did the waiter fill both our glasses. Andrew gave him their food orders, and the waiter nodded and left.

“So, have you been up?”

“Skydiving? No. Why, have you done it?”

“A few times. It’s exhilarating; not as dangerous as base jumping, though. I had a brief brush with risky pastimes in my late teens.”

“I would have loved to see that.”

He reached his hand across the table and held hers, looking at her so intently, she felt flush, and was already aroused. “What else would you like to try, Abby?”

“Hmmm.” She looked away as she caught her breath; trying to think clearly about his question. “Maybe hang-gliding over Indonesia. Back when I was growing up on the farm in Sparks, I’d see all these hang-gliders pass overhead. There must have been a school nearby or something. It was lovely to watch. It seemed so freeing. I told my parents I wanted to try it. My mom—she was still alive back then—she was pretty open. But my dad, he said he didn’t have enough children; as I’m an only child and all. He’s always been more protective of me, especially after mom passed. Now that I’ve made it to twenty-three, I’d be open to trying it out.”

“Sounds like fun. And why Indonesia?”

“Mostly to see the Borobudur temple. And the beaches. Oh and the Komodo dragons. I guess I’ve had a fascination with the place since forever. All the pictures seem like they’re not even of this world, you know?”

“Yes. I think I know what you mean.”

“I’m kind of embarrassed about this, but I’ve never left the United States. Actually, I’ve only seen California and Nevada; and a bit of Arizona, if you count our family trip to Hoover dam and the Grand Canyon when I was five. I don’t think I remember much.”

“Well, you’re not in the boat alone. A lot of Americans haven’t been outside the country.”

“And what about you?”

“Me? Well, I’ve seen pretty much all corners of the world during my base jumping days. But you know what?”

“What’s that?”

“I won’t deny, there are so many parts of the world that are beautiful, strange, unique and breathtaking. It really is. But I have my little slice of paradise at the cottage in Lake Tahoe. I wish you could have been there during the summer, the sunsets are stunning; just out of this world.”

“Nice. We’re a ways off from the summer, but I’d love to see that one day.”

“You’re more than welcome. In fact, I was going to ask you—”

The waiter came back to serve their appetizers before Andrew could finish. They continued a casual conversation as they ate, but Abby noticed he didn’t raise his question again. The waiter was soon followed by the head chef, who came to introduce himself when the entrees were served. He chatted briefly with Andrew, and soon, left them to their meals. Everything tasted incredible. After they were finished, the waiter brought two long, rectangular trays; tiny samples of all their desserts. Abby’s eyes widened; the little delicacies were pleasing to her eyes, and made her mouth water.

“I hope you don’t mind this sampler, Abby,” Andrew said. “I recall you had a sweet tooth, and took the liberty or requesting this for you.”

“Oh no, not at all. I don’t mind at all. I’ve been craving chocolate and caramel for days.”

The waiter rattled off what was in each miniature tray, glass and bowl. Abby lost track when he pointed out the caramel cheesecake and tiramisu. After he excused himself, she dove in.

She looked up at Andrew when she remembered her manners. He looked mildly entertained. “Sorry, Andrew. I hope you’ll share some of this with me?”

He smiled. “Oh no. That’s all for you.”

“You’re not going to have some?”

“I think I’d like to wait for what’s becoming my favorite dessert.” He winked at her.

Abby blushed. “Come on. Just a bite?”

He stood up, placed his napkin on the table and walked around to her side. “If you insist.” He leaned over and nipped at the side of her neck. “Mmmm. Tasty.”

Abby momentarily forgot about the spread of desserts on the table. She tilted her neck to give him more access, and reached a hand up to his hair. “That feels better than having these yummy morsels.”

She placed her fork and napkin down, and stood up to press herself into his chest. “I think your idea is better. Can we go now?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he answered. He kissed her forehead and took her hand as they left the private room. He nodded at the maître d’, and they left arm in arm.