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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:07:19 GMT -8
As they come to a red light, Hadley takes a moment to squeeze his hand again and makes eye contact with him, "You're not on a date with Caleb. You're on a date with me and while some people in our community are super sensitive to how people word things, I'm not. As long as you're being honest with me about how you feel and as long as you accept me for who I am, that's all I care about."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:10:33 GMT -8
"That... is a super big relief to hear," he sighs with a nervous chuckle. "I really need to not let Caleb get into my head the way he does, don't I?" Dammit. I mentioned him again. I'm gonna blow this whole date because I can't stop thinking of my brother.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:13:20 GMT -8
Hadley laughs, "I'm sure he will pick your brain as soon as you get home but right now it's just you and me. And I promise no pressure here. Just be you. That's all I want." A rush of color floods her cheeks and she hopes he can't see how red her face is. Did I really just say that?! Want... I mean yea I want him.... okay okay Hadley stop it! She laughs nervously.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:16:45 GMT -8
As the light turns green (it seemed to take a thousand years!), Asher refocuses on the road. Hearing her nervous laughter brings him an odd sense of... comfort, he supposes it is. Because at least now he knows he isn't alone in his nervousness about the date. "Well, let me assure you that you look great tonight," he says softly, unsure she even hears him.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:21:25 GMT -8
"Thank you." She smiles as they continue on their way, "So do you."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:24:01 GMT -8
"Thank you." Asher sighs inwardly, relieved that she did hear him after all. "Do you still want to go dancing?" he asks after a beat passes. "Because that dress deserves to be shown off." As does the girl wearing it, he wants to add but bites his tongue in nervousness before the words come out.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:26:57 GMT -8
She blushes, "If you want to. I'd love to."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:30:25 GMT -8
"Your choice," he says. "If you'd rather go somewhere we can have dinner just the two of us or go sit in a dark movie theatre or anything, I won't be offended."
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:40:15 GMT -8
The thought of a dark movie theatre with him makes her heart race, "Umm... maybe we could do dinner first and then decide from there? I mean I still like the idea of dancing even if it's just dancing in the park... we don't have to go anywhere special for it. But I also don't want you to if you're not comfortable with it."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:43:38 GMT -8
"Hadley, Hadley, slow down," Asher says. "No need to rush. We can decide after dinner. Do you have any place you like more than others in the area?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:51:10 GMT -8
"Hmm... my favorite is probably Bella's. You know, the italian restaurant on 9th?"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:51:49 GMT -8
"Okay. Would you like to go there for dinner? Since we're kinda winging everything," he chuckles.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 7:54:45 GMT -8
She grins, "Sure." and then she adds just to ease him, "I don't mind an adventure."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 7:58:04 GMT -8
"Good, because it feels like that's the path our evening is about to take."
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 8:03:23 GMT -8
Hadley grins. She is aware that their hands are still intertwined and she hopes he doesn't move his hand. Every nerve in her body is firing but she tries her best to remain calm as they drive toward Bella's. She glances out the window, "Wow that sunset is beautiful."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 10:42:12 GMT -8
"Yeah, it is," Asher smiles, fully aware of her hand in his. His mind races through about a million things he could tack onto his statement of agreement but by the time he settles on one, the time has passed for such a thing.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 11:31:04 GMT -8
They sit in comfortable silence for a moment as they turn onto the road where the restaurant is.
Bella`s is a beautiful restaurant made to look like an Italian cafe. It is situated on a cobblestone street in the historic part of town. Strands of lights hang over the outdoor seating and a beautiful lighted gazebo stands beside the restaurant.
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 12:09:38 GMT -8
"Wow. I did not expect this," Asher says as the restaurant comes into view. "If the food tastes as good as the outside looks, they're set for life."
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 12:18:34 GMT -8
"You've never been here before? It's so good. Lorenzo and Sophia are the couple who own it. They're immigrants and so sweet. They're like grandparents to all the kids in town."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 12:28:58 GMT -8
"Haven't exactly had much of an occasion to go out to eat yet," Asher explains. Until now. "Only been around for a few weeks now, remember?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 14:38:22 GMT -8
"Oh that's right. I guess i just think of it as everyone's place but then again it was the first restaurant my parents took us too when we came here. Truth be told, they're considering buying it from Lorenzo when he retires. He offered it to my dad last month. He's just trying to decide if he wants to and can afford to with everything else going on." Hadley looks down, she knows she has been a burden to her family...
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 16:06:17 GMT -8
"Wow. That would be some major bragging rights right there," Asher says. "You think they'd keep everything the same if they bought it?"
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 16:19:59 GMT -8
"OH absolutely. Dad already said the only thing he would change is replacing the wreath on in entrance wall with a huge oil painting of Lorenzo and Sophia."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 16:28:05 GMT -8
"That's what I call a worthy homage," Asher comments.
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 16:32:35 GMT -8
Hadley smiles as they walk toward the front door. As they get close to it an elderly man with a white moustache and goatee opens the door for them, "Well Hadassah my Bella Mia you look beautiful!"
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 16:38:26 GMT -8
Asher smiles over at Hadley out of the corner of his eyes. He has to agree with the old man. "I'm Asher."
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 16:42:38 GMT -8
"piacere di conoscerti, nice to meet you Asher. I see you know our Hadassah. You are a very lucky man to be out with such a beautiful young woman."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 16:44:58 GMT -8
"I would agree with you there," Asher says, another grin at Hadley. "It's an honor to be out with her tonight."
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Post by Dani on Mar 2, 2019 16:50:23 GMT -8
Hadley blushes as Lorenzo ushers them into the restaurant.
"Luca! We needa the besta table tonight!" Lorenzo's voice booms happily through the restaurant and a young man in his early teens rushes out of the kitchen.
"My grandson, Luca." Lorenzo smiles, "He is visiting us til the end of the summer."
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Post by starletinwaiting on Mar 2, 2019 17:21:28 GMT -8
"Best ta-- I dunno if we need the best-- Do we need the best table, Hadley?" Asher finds himself stammering.
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