Chapter 14 - THE DINNER THAT DIDN'T TASTE LIKE BLOOD
Their first official date was simple.
A small Italian restaurant.
No private dining room.
No security detail.
No expensive wine.
Just two people sitting across from each other.
Arthur ordered grilled vegetables and pasta.
Nora ordered the same.
When the food arrived, Arthur took a bite.
He paused.
Nora watched him.
“Okay?”
Arthur nodded.
“Very.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
He looked at her.
“You know, there was a time when I couldn't imagine eating in public again.”
Nora's expression softened.
“And now?”
Arthur looked around.
At the other diners.
At the waiter carrying plates.
At the couple laughing near the window.
“Now it feels normal.”
Nora smiled.
“Normal is underrated.”
Arthur laughed.
“I'm beginning to agree.”
They talked about childhood.
About regrets.
About the future.
Nora told him she wanted Maria's Table to become a community kitchen as well as a restaurant.
Arthur listened.
Then asked:
“How can I support that without taking it over?”
Nora stared.
“That might be the most romantic thing you've ever said.”
Arthur smiled.
“I'm improving.”
She laughed.
Later, as they walked beneath the streetlights, Arthur stopped.
“Nora.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
He looked nervous.
The great Arthur Moretti.
A man who had once commanded rooms with a glance.
Now struggling to ask a simple question.
“May I kiss you?”
Nora smiled.
“Yes.”
He kissed her gently.
May you like
And for the first time in a very long time, Arthur felt no need to control what happened next.
He simply let himself be happy.
