Dinner Date

March and Libby

by Atonia and Layne

Libby had changed three times already and, looking in the mirror, she still wasn't satisfied with the way she looked. She wasn't sure just how to dress for this dinner with March Nova. It was the restaurant's opening, so that might mean something a little nicer. On the other hand, she was waiting to dine with him after he finished working, and that might mean he'd be in jeans or something equally comfortable.

Looking at her watch, she decided she'd have to go with what she was wearing, a soft plum-colored dress and boots. "Drat!" she muttered, grabbing her purse. It was only thirty minutes until March was supposed to finish up and join her. She'd decided to get there a little early................ Maybe have a drink while she waited. Libby almost ran out the door and down the stairs toward Andy's.

Opening night had been hectic with the kitchen staff still finding their feet. March worked methodically chiding his staff to keep up with him.. Things began to slow down around 8:30 and he was able to finish his duties by 8:50. He took a few minutes to wash his face and hands and change out of his chef’s whites into a pair of dark jeans, white shirt and a dark jacket. Running his hand through his hair he left the restroom back of the kitchen and walked through to the bar in the Tavern. Glancing over the crowd he spotted Libby’s pretty blond head and walked over

“Libby,” he said tilting his head and smiling, “I hope you have not been waiting long…I hurry as much as I can........”

Libby turned to greet March, a smile on her face at the sound of that beautiful accent. "Oh, no, March. I'm fine.. I've only been here about fifteen minutes.." Being her usual open self, she went on, "I honestly couldn't figure out what to wear and I kept changing clothes!"

Following another sip of wine, she stood up from her bar stool. "And there was no need for you to hurry. You must be so tired from working. It looked like the opening was very successful!"

“You look beautiful and I am never tired in your presence. I think Andy will be pleased with his opening…it went very well I think.” March signaled Steve for a glass of wine. “Would you like another or are you ready to dine?“ Steve served him a glass of his red wine.

The man looked so handsome, even after having been working so hard. How did he do it? Realizing she was staring and not answering him, Libby blushed slightly, "Are you hungry, or would you maybe like to just sit and relax for a few minutes. Unwind before you eat?"

March had been taste sampling for hours and was in no hurry to eat, “we could get a table and relax for awhile if you’d like…enjoy our wine and a little conversation?” He smiled charmingly. Looking around in the Tavern he spotted a table in a corner and turned back to Libby, “What do you think is that for us?”

"Looks as though it practically has our names on it," Libby returned his smile. Something about it was infectious and she couldn't help smiling back at him.

Picking up her glass, she went toward the table, a little startled when March pulled out her chair for her. She was not used to men with such deportment and courtesy...... Most guys she'd dated tended to be more casual. But this was nice, she thought to herself. She could get used to it.

“Ah I tell you Libby it feels good to sit for awhile,” March sat opposite her and picked up his wine glass and touched hers, “to a memorable evening…I hope the first of many,” he sipped his wine regarding her over the glass. “Now tell me what did you do this afternoon while I am slaving?” His eyes sparkled.

Those eyes were beautiful. Libby found herself responding to them. "I was slaving too," she told him with a grin. "I worked at the paper for a few hours, then worked on moving my things in......"

Taking a sip of her own wine, she went on, "And it does feel nice to sit for awhile after all that. So, did Andy have a heart attack before the opening was over?"

“Andy,” he chuckled, “he has much to learn but I admire his work ethic…he will do well I think…I try to advise him of things he needs to do. I worked with Andy when I first came to Sydney he was a dishwasher and I was a Cordon Bleu chef…now he is my boss,” he grinned. “Better him than me the headaches,” March took a drink of his wine.. March knew all too well what was involved in owning a restaurant..

“You are moving into your new flat…you don’t have far to go it is next door?”

"Not far. It's above Richie Roberts' office. I'm so glad it's close to the paper. I can get to work in about ten minutes. And I can walk!" Libby was excited about that.

"What about you? Do you plan to stay at the inn or will you be looking for a place to live?" Uh-oh, Libby thought to herself, as soon as those words were out of her mouth. She hoped he didn't read too much into that statement! Think it was an invitation or anything.

March met her eyes for a moment, “actually I have a flat in Coffs it overlooks the sea, I am staying here tonight…at the inn........” He shrugged slightly, “I didn’t know how late tonight would go with the opening so I decided to stay here.” He thought about asking her to his apartment and dismissed it…it was too soon, he made a little smile. “I bought the flat without seeing it but it is very nice…it was a display flat and came fully furnished. I am lucky am I not?”

"Very lucky." Libby drained the last of the wine out of her glass. "I wish mine had come furnished. I had a few things, but not many, since I've pretty much been living in a dorm room before coming here. Now, I'm having to shop, and I've never been much of a shopper. Except for books or CD's or things like that."

She had seen that warm look in his eyes. It was flattering, but it made her a little uncomfortable. She wasn't sure why.

"So your flat overlooks the sea? I'll bet it's a beautiful view." Then, she laughed. "Wow! I actually remembered to call it a flat instead of an apartment! I'm still getting used to the language here!"

“Books and CD’s that is what I brought to my flat along with my clothes of course. The view is wonderful and the sound…I leave the sliding door open to a balcony.” He smiled, “I too get used to the language…I think it is time for our dinner…I see Andy gives me a look that says your dinner is getting cold…I hope you will like what I have prepared for you…shall we go in?”

"Absolutely.." Libby allowed March to lead her into the dining room. "I can't wait to taste it!"

March led her to the best table in the newly renovated restaurant where a bottle of his family’s wine was already on the table. There were only a couple of tables still seated and the waitress was busy clearing tables. Andy brought out their salad followed by a pasta then a veal saltimbocca cooked in the Tuscany fashion.

“I only use fresh ingredients and local suppliers.” He stated, his love of food coming through with his enthusiasm for his craft. “I hope I do not disappoint you? I do not just cook Italian food but tonight…I think it is right.” He raised his wine glass.

Libby was delighted and it showed on her face. "It's absolutely delicious!" she told him. "To be honest, I've never eaten veal before, but it's wonderful!"

She could see his love for what he did showing on his face and in his voice. "What made you decide to be a chef?" She was looking forward to hearing him tell her in that beautiful voice.

“Oh Libby you know food has been my life I grew up in my family’s restaurant…I never do anything else even when I am at university I work there at night. But I am just a cook…just eh peel and chop.” He became quiet for a moment remembering something and then looked up at her, “so I find myself in France and I cook in Provence and I met a girl she was a cook but going to school to learn and it’s Cordon Bleu so I say yes I go to and I don’t know if I make it through or not but you know it seemed a good thing…well I did and now I have my credentials…but not much ambition I think…I could cook anywhere…yet I am here…it’s not the money I don’t need it…it’s the love of cooking..” Feeling he’s said too much he smiled quickly and looked down in his wine glass...

Laughing, Libby told him, "I thought I was the only one who said so much in a rush!" It was nice to see him happy with what he did, contented to do it anywhere.

Unlike some people she could name, who didn't seem to be happy about anything. But no- She was not going to think about Dan. She was going to enjoy herself.

"So, what happened to the girl?" she asked him, softly.

You know,” he leaned on the table, “I think she look for wedding bells…she find them somewhere else…I come here to Australia,” his smile reached his eyes and he picked her hand up from the table and kissed it, “and now I meet you.”

Libby blushed a little at that kiss on the hand. Must be from the wine. This man was, without a doubt, the most charming one she'd ever met.

"And a good thing you did come here to Australia," she told him teasingly, trying to lighten the mood, which had suddenly become charged with electricity. "Otherwise, I might never have tried veal!"

“I hope you will try many new things,” he said not bothering to conceal what he really meant.”And now you are wined and dined…there is not many things to do here in The Glen…we could go for a walk…or back to the Tavern…if we were in Coffs I would take you for a walk on the beach but here I don’t know where to go?”

"What?" Libby asked in mock dismay. "No dessert? What about my sugar cravings?" She was doing her best not to think about what he had said about trying new things!

March laughed, “you still are eating?” He called the waitress over who was clearing the last table and asked her to bring out the dessert tray of assorted desserts from Lucy’s. “And coffee for me I think,” he was beginning to feel a little mellow with the wine. He watched as she selected thinking that from the signals he was getting from her he was probably not going to be taking her up to his room tonight…although the thought brought a smile to his lips she was very young and pretty.”I think you are sweet enough already,” he said lazily.

"Not many people call me sweet," Libby told him. "Most people use words like stubborn and opinionated."

“I see something else…but I think I may be biased.” March finished his coffee...

Libby settled on a heavenly piece of cheesecake and, when she was finished said,"If you really don't mind a walk, you could walk me to my apartment. It's not far and I just walked over instead of driving."

“But of course,” March rose and held her chair for her, “I would be happy to escort you home,” he smiled and placed his hand lightly on the back of her waist as they walked out of the restaurant.

The evening was warm and beautiful and Libby loved walking.. The warmth of March's hand on her back felt comfortable. It was nice to be enjoying this evening with someone else who was enjoying being with her, she reflected.

"March," she said hesitantly. "How would you feel about going shopping with me on Saturday? For things for my apartment? In Coffs, I mean?" Libby felt she was chattering and didn't know why. She had asked guys out before. Why did this feel so strange?

March smiled to himself, “you want me to go shopping? Well…yes I could do that…I have to be at work by 3:00 but we could go in the morning and maybe have lunch. Would…could you meet me there…my flat is only ten minutes from the shopping area?”

"That'll work," Libby told him with a smile. "I'm thinking maybe you have different tastes than I do. That maybe I can get some ideas from you."

March chuckled, “you may not like my ideas…you would want something I chose for your flat?” March actually liked that idea…that she would value his opinion. “You might help me too…like I said I have just moved in and need some things I think. I know I need a table and chairs for the balcony…perhaps you might help me chose eh?

It was Libby's turn to chuckle. "Talk about not liking someone else's ideas! I'm very-uh-American, when it comes to things like that, March. You might end up with balcony furniture that says 'Coca-Cola' on it!"

They had arrived at the outside door to her flat above Richie Roberts' office. "But, if you feel like taking a chance-"

March smiled, what an opening…he looked up a moment and then met her eyes, “with you I take a chance yes? But you Libby…you take a chance with me.” He took both her hands in his and kissed them.

She'd never known anyone who kissed her hands before, who was so charming and attentive. "Well, reporters do that, you know. Take chances, I mean." Libby did her best to meet his eyes without dropping her gaze. That look of his was so intense!

March dropped her hands and with a finger lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips, “and now I think I had better go…until Saturday morning…buona notte bella signora.”