A Holiday Romance Read Free

expected. The waiters and especially the sommelier were friendly, not formal and there were no menus. After sitting and receiving an introductory glass of wine, food started coming at regular intervals paired with the wine Kat, the wine steward talked passionately about. There were bite sized chopped scallops in caramelized coconut with just a hint of cilantro. Charred octopus with peaches, gnocchi with salt cured ragu, house cured anchovies with fresh tomatoes and homemade mozzarella and several other delicacies one by one over an hour or so. Just when Latisse felt full, almost too full and expected a break, a platter of roast suckling pig arrived. He turned with concern and asked her “do you eat pork?” “Hell yes,” she replied as they dove into the sweetest meat she had ever eaten. Little bite sized sweets including homemade Baklava and berry cheesecake paired with a soft dessert wine finished the feast. It was by far the most unique and delicious meal she had ever enjoyed.
     

 
     
    They had been able to talk a little during dinner. Of course Kat kept them updated on the various wines, waiters described all of the dishes and Johnny Monis, the owner and chef had come out to be appreciated. The wine and food had made them both sleepy so they rode in the limo in comfortable quiet along the Potomac waters taking in all of the holiday lights and sights. The snow continued to fall and Latisse thought that this was possibly the most perfect night she had ever enjoyed. It was like a fairy tale Christmas. This was turning out to be the best Christmas she had ever had with any man. Moreover, if she had to pick a gift, it would be him wrapped in absolutely nothing.
     
     She just hoped that this night would go past midnight and her handsome prince would not turn into a toad.
     
     
     

The limo stopped at one point and they got out for a walk at a well-lit park, they held hands and talked. She asked him if he wanted his coat back but he said he wasn’t cold, her company alone was keeping him warm. He talked about his childhood in Evenston, Chicago and playing football at “a decent university.” He told her about the car accident that had killed his best friend and ended his NFL hopes. That now he was just part of corporate America. He liked his work, but longed for something else to feel fulfilled. No, he had never married, but wanted to one day. No, he didn’t have any children but hope to “have a couple” one day. No, he wasn’t seeing anyone at the moment and no, he wasn’t gay. He looked at Latisse with a coy smile and said, “Well, maybe I am seeing someone now, I sure hope so.” And without hesitation she leaned in and spontaneously kissed him.
     
     
     
     
     
    It was done without any thought or preparation. It started as a soft brush of lips but quickly roiled into a passionate lip lock, tongue dueling pulling each other into it kiss. The force of it stunned them both for a second, standing there in the snow outside of the Limo. She felt that electrical current running though her body and he felt it, too. They were on the same page and felt the Universe was conspiring with them to make a miracles happen. Was it magic or was it love?
     
    He shuddered just a bit. “You’re cold.” She said softly. “No Latisse, I’m definitely not cold.” He panted little out of breath. “Not cold at all.”
     
    They climbed back into the Limo and drove for a little while in silence. Holding hands she drew little circles in the palm of his much bigger hand while they both contemplated what had just happened.
     

 Latisse certainly didn’t want this magic night to end but she was pragmatic at best. “I have to go to California tomorrow” she finally said lamely. “And you must be going somewhere to do something, right?” There was silence in the air. “I mean this is crazy, right, we’re just two people stuck in D.C. overnight, it’s impossible.” More, silence in the air. “Right?” she offered