“Okay,” I start, drinking the rest of my wine. “What about the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?”
Dean thinks for a moment. “Ask for forgiveness, not permission.”
“I said best,” I laugh and he nudges my foot with his under the table.
“Fine, I’m kidding. The best advice came recently, actually. Someone told me not to settle out of fear of failure.”
“I like that.” I smile, feeling my heart do that stupid fluttery thing for the million time this evening.
“What about you? Best advice you’ve been given?”
“Don’t be afraid to be myself.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “And I’ll admit I’ve struggled with that.”
“Why?” Dean asks sounding genuinely curious. “You seem pretty damn amazing.”
“Like I said yesterday, I’m not conventional.”
“That’s not a bad thing.”
My cheeks flush and I wish I had more wine to distract myself with.
“What’s your dream job?” Dean asks, continuing my little question game. “You get paid a million dollars a year to do this.”
“That’s easy. I’d feed baby manatees. You?”
“Jellybean taste tester.”
“Ohh, good one. Unless it’s the gross Harry Potter flavored beans.”
“I expect to have some gross ones thrown in there. Gotta keep my day interesting.”
“If you could have any animal for a pet, what would you have?” I fire off another question.
“A wolverine. You?”
“Sloth, and he’d just hang around my neck all day.”
“Don’t they stink?”
“I’ve never been privileged enough to smell a sloth.”
“I’ll see what I can do about that. Maybe I can make some calls.”
“Don’t get my hopes up, Dean Dawson.”
“I’d never. Not on purpose at least.”
The cake comes, along with more wine, and we eat every last bite of what has to be the best chocolate cake in the world, while continue the little Twenty Questions game. The waiter comes over, asking if we’re ready for the check now. It’s only then we realize we’re the last ones on the restaurant. We’ve been talking and laughing and time just slipped right by. I only took one drink of my second glass of wine, and I pick up the glass as Dean hands the waiter his credit card.
“I’ll leave a big tip,” he says. “I didn’t notice anyone leaving. Or being here, for that matter.”
“I’m good company to keep.” I take a gulp of the sweet red wine.
“You are.” The waiter brings Dean’s credit card back, and I catch a glimpse of the tip he leaves, following through with his word of tipping much more than necessary. Having waited tables in college, I definitely appreciate thoughtful customers like this.
Dean takes my hand as we leave the restaurant, and we slowly walk down the street in the direction of our hotel. We took an Uber over here, and it’s quite a walk to get back.
It might take us an hour at this leisurely pace. Yet I have the feeling Dean doesn’t mind one bit, and I know I don’t at all.
“Do you have a full day of panels again tomorrow?” he asks after we go a few blocks in silence, enjoying each other’s company.
“I do.” I wrinkle my nose. “I wish I could skip. I probably could and no one would notice, but I’m getting paid to go learn, so I’d feel bad if I didn’t go.”
“Yeah, you probably shouldn’t skip. Aren’t other people from the hospital here too?”
“Yeah. I saw them yesterday, but we don’t work together so we didn’t hang out. My roommate kind of adopted me.”
Dean laughs. “You had no idea you were going to have a roommate?”
“Nope. She seems nice and all. It’s just weird sleeping in the same room with someone I don’t know.”
“Stay with me again,” he says with no hesitation. “Same arrangement.”
“I can take the pullout. That bed is comfy. You should have it.”
“The pullout couch isn’t bad, and I can nap during the day. Take the comfy bed.”
I give his hand a squeeze. “Thanks.” We pause at a crosswalk and I look up at him, admiring his sky blue eyes. A large group comes up behind us, and Dean steps closer. I can feel his body heat coming off in waves, and I have to turn and look away, reminding myself to stay strong.
“Can I take you out again tomorrow?” he asks.
“Let me check my schedule, but I should be able to pencil something in. Dinner again?”
“I do plan to eat,” he says and my mind immediately goes to the gutter. Yes, I’d love for you to eat again too. “Though, correct me if I’m wrong, but I have a feeling you’d like the zoo. I don’t think the Miami Zoo has manatees though.”
“I’d love that! I haven’t been to a zoo in so long.”
“I took Jackson, my oldest nephew last summer. It was the first time I’d been in a while and I’ll admit it was fun.”
“That’s sweet of you to take him.”
“He’s a good kid.”