Chez Llama – Clan Ross Legacy Challenge

A Birthday Surprise

When I got to work the next morning, Caitlyn came to talk to me right away. We spent a bit apologizing to each other, ensuring each other that apologies weren’t necessary, then apologizing for the earlier apology. It went on like that for an hour, at which point the robot’s clock must have kicked in, and it interrupted us with a cheerfully beeped “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANETTE.”

My what now?

OHMIGOSH

How did I forget my birthday?

“How did you forget your birthday?” Caitlyn asked. I couldn’t explain it.

“Stuff! I was busy and … things.”

“That’s okay!” she smiled. “I booked us seats at Chez Llama, we head over after work.”

But when we got there, all they had was two separate tables, for five of us. I was surprised to see Kimberly and Sergio, but they both gave their birthday wishes, and I think we were all going to be fine. Skylar arrived as well, and it was great to see her looking so good after childbirth. Which must have happened…. yesterday?

It was weird to have Caitlyn sitting alone, but she assured me she was fine.

“I get to talk to you every day at work,” she reminded me. “This is time to hang out with your friends!”

I guess. She was close enough to carry on conversation, so it worked out.

After dinner, and several glasses of wine, the waitress brought out the cake. I silently wished Aiden could have made it, and blew out the candles.

Apparently Skylar can play the trumpet. Where was she keeping that?

The waitress came by with a steaming hot tray of more wine.

The cake was amazing, the wine great, and the friends fantastic. It was a wonderful night out, I couldn’t thank Caitlyn enough for organizing it.

Sergio even stuck around long enough to help pay for dinner, even though Caitlyn argued that she had it. We said our good nights, and they all wished me the best for the next year.

Late into the night, I trundled home. Next year? Good grief. So this is 30, eh? All adult, apparently.

Time to get on with life, I suppose.

chapter 28…

A first date, and more…

I slept in until almost 11 on Saturday morning, and regret nothing. I likely would have slept longer, but the phone woke me. Kimberly called, saying that she couldn’t stop thinking of me <blush!>, and we should spend the remainder of the day together. I suggested the park for a while, to which she agreed.

I was good to see her again, but I was naturally nervous. An older woman, very interested in me? This is not where I thought my life was going.

We hung out talking for a good hour or so, taking in the park, seeing other friends, and just getting to know each other more. She did her fair share of flirting, which felt fantastic to be honest.

A couple of games of chess, with some good conversation, and we’d decided to head over to the mall for some shopping.

11-14-16_1-46-43-pm Wait…. this is where Landgraab works? In a retail clothing store? They’ve been waiving their money around, but she works here, and Malcolm works at the lab as a junior assistant. They must be running into hard times.

11-14-16_1-48-31-pm We tried on a few things, but nothing really stood out as “me”.

11-14-16_1-51-03-pm Lolnope.

I had this rather unflattering outfit on when I noticed Kimberly out on the sidewalk, texting on her phone.

Apparently, she was checking her reservations at Chez Llama! I had heard plenty of great things about the high-class restaurant, but had never had the chance to get in. But, here we were, off on a real, honest-to-pete, nerve-wracking date, at the most expensive restaurant in town.

Deep breaths, Jeanette; you’ve got this.

I ran home to get changed into something nice, something fancy to match the evening, then met Kimberly at the front door of Chez Llama. Kimberly gave her name at the front desk, and we were escorted to our table.

Well… booth. I guess even fancy expensive restaurants have seating for common folk.

I had no idea what most of the things on the menu were, but I recognised wine. I tried ordering the cardboardeaux, but Kimberly insisted on the more expensive wine. Well, okay.

Supper came, and it was the weirdest, most confusing looking dish I’d ever had placed in front of me. But it tasted fantastic, and the wine was absolutely amazing. It appears Kimberly knows stuff about wine. I fear I’ll be spending a lot more on wine from now on.

There was plenty of flirting as well, along with several suggestive statements, and an innuendo or two.

Or three.

11-14-16_2-19-10-pm Plus dessert, and more wine. Kimberly was thoroughly confused by the things she was tasting.

When the cheque arrived, we argued about it – good-naturedly, of course – and eventually I convinced her that my recent promotion left me with some extra cash and a reason to celebrate. She reluctantly agreed, and insisted that I would let her pay next time.

I paid the bill, and we gathered our coats. As we were leaving, and with shaking voice, I invited her back to my place for the evening.

“Of course,” she said, smiling.

11-14-16_2-22-02-pm It was quite late when we got back to the house, but I was determined to see this evening through.

“Would you like to … um. Spend the night?”

“I’d love to.”

11-14-16_2-26-14-pm After another drink of ~~slightly~~ cheaper wine and some more conversation, I finally had enough courage to make my move.

Woo! The butterflies were still practicing their drum-line routine in my gut, but Kimberly was very patient with the time it took me, but it was the greatest kiss in my life. She returned it passionately. I’m sure she was turned on by all the lab equipment in my living room.