“It’s fine. I’ve never been here before, but it looks good.”
“I hope you don’t mind—I bought tickets for a show.”
“What movie?” I asked eagerly. I could see another movie review in my future.
“Oh, not a movie. I got tickets for The Merchant of Venice. Pacino is starring as Shylock right now.”
“Oh, awesome!”
“I love Shakespeare and I love The Godfather, so figured I couldn’t go wrong.” He grinned. It made sense he would love The Godfather, seeing that his dad could have been Don Corleone II.
“I love The Merchant of Venice, we studied it in my favorite high school English class.”
“Oh yeah?” He looked impressed. “We did Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.”
“I guess everyone does Macbeth.” I laughed.
“Double, double, toil and trouble,” we both recited at the same time before dissolving into laughter. David sat back and smiled at me, his eyes never leaving my face. “Most girls I date can’t quote Shakespeare.”
“Maybe you’re dating the wrong girls.”
“Maybe I am.” He scanned the menu. “I think I’m going to have the Porterhouse. What about you?”
“Maybe the filet.” I opened my menu and my eyes widened at the prices. That was why I’d never been to Del Frisco’s. The filet was $50 and that was without any sides. I knew David was rich, but I still felt like I was taking advantage. I looked back at the menu and then said, “I’ll have the shrimp scampi instead.” It was the cheapest entrée on the menu and that made me feel better.
“Shrimp? I thought you wanted steak.” David leaned forward and stared into my eyes.
“Well, you know, shrimp sounds good.” My voice sounded unsure and I knew that I had to shake off my soft attitude. Men like bitchy and confident, not mousy and eager to please. “You know what, I think I’ll have the bone-in prime strip with the asparagus and the cauliflower au gratin.”
“Wow.” He looked at me in admiration and surprise. “Where do you pack all that food?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I grinned at him and tried not to run my hands over my stomach to make sure that my Spanx were staying up.
“Yes, I would.” I froze as he reached his perfectly manicured fingers across the table and grabbed my hand. He studied my fingernails and ran his fingers down my palm. “You have beautiful fingers.”
“Thanks.” I tried not to pull my hand away and batted my eyelashes at him. Think of this as a movie role, Bianca. Only this time you’re not the reviewer, you’re the actress. And you’re aiming for an Oscar.
“Maybe we can go back to my place after the show to get a nightcap.”
“That would be nice.” Oh my god! No!
“Great. So Bianca, tell me exactly what you do.”
“I’m in history, or rather, I studied history with the goal of being a professor.”
“So you studied and became a professor or you are currently studying and hoping to become a professor?” He cocked his head to the side and I played with my hair. I wasn’t sure what to tell him. I didn’t want him to know that I’d recently taken a leave of absence. That would lead to questions, and I didn’t want to answer any questions.
“I’m still studying.” I smiled. “Hoping to get my PhD and then a tenure-track job.”
“Awesome. That’s really awesome.”
“I write articles on the side, though,” I continued, knowing that I couldn’t just keep that part out. “I’m a part-time movie critic.”
“Now that is seriously cool. I love movies.”
“Do you?”
“I’ve always thought I’d make a good movie star. Bradley Cooper move over, there’s a new guy in town.”
“Oh, you enjoy acting?”
“I wouldn’t say I enjoy acting.” He shrugged. “I’ve never really acted, but I’ve been told I’ve got the sort of face that would make it in Hollywood. Though I don’t think I’d be able to remember my lines. I did way too many drugs when I was younger.”
“Well, there’re plenty who are still doing way too many drugs, so you might find that you’re okay.”
“That’s true, Bianca.” He laughed. “That’s certainly true.”
“So what is it you do?” I asked casually and leaned forward, ears perked up. Now was the time for me to find out exactly what he was about. The more I knew about him, the more I’d be able to suss out just how much he knew about the family business.
“I don’t do much.” He made a face. “At least that’s what my brother, Mattias, says. He runs the family business.” He rolled his eyes. “He thinks he’s the only one with any brains because he was my father’s favorite.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t mean to sound bitter, and I hope you don’t think I’m one of those rich kids that idles his time away. But it’s a source of contention between my brother and me. I’m fed up with him always telling me what to do and not allowing me to take on any position of authority at the company.”