It makes me smile that we have something in common. “You like the numbers, too?”
“Everything comes down to numbers.” He moves in a little closer, like he is going to kiss me. “Except you. You’re one formula I can’t seem to crack or predict. It’s different and I rather enjoy it.”
I like that because I’m the same way. Numbers are safe and easy. There’s always an answer and the rules don’t change. There’s no questioning them. They are what they are. It’s nice to have someone like Oz. Something that’s not an equation.
“Where are you taking me to feed me?”
He pulls back looking up at me excitedly. “It’s a surprise,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
After a moment, the limo stops. “Are we here already?” I ask, trying to look out of the limo windows. They’re beyond blacked out, so even seeing what street we’re on is nearly impossible.
“Would you like to ride around the block a few more times?”
Oz gives me a wicked grin and I know exactly what he means by that. But I’ve told myself that tonight I’m getting to know this gorgeous man who’s taken hold of me. I want to get some answers about him and see where he thinks things are headed. I may be new at this, but I want to be honest about what I want and what I expect. I don’t want to get a few months in and find out we aren’t on the same page.
Setting me off his lap, he opens the car door and steps out. He offers his hand and I take it as he helps me out of the back. When he closes the door behind me, I look around and see we’re outside the New York Aquarium.
“Are we in the right place?” I ask, looking for a restaurant on either side of it.
Oz holds out his arm, and I slip mine though it as he leads me to the entrance. He looks down at me, smiling as he leads us up to the door, but doesn’t say a word. A short bald man on the other side of the door unlocks it for us and holds it open as we enter. Once we walk through, he closes it behind us, and I hear the lock click back into place.
An older gentleman approaches us and reaches out his hand to Oz. “Welcome, Miles. Good to see you again.”
“You too, Eugene. This is my Mallory.” Oz shakes the man’s hand, and then looks down at me.
I look up to see Oz beaming, as if he’s showing me off with pride. It makes me warm and tingly, and I know my cheeks are probably cherry red.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, young lady. Welcome to the New York Aquarium.” He holds out his hand to indicate the room, and I finally look around. There are tanks of tropical fish at the entrance, and I want to go over and look, but I’m still unsure if I can. “If you will both follow me, we’ve got your table set upstairs.”
Oz takes my hand and leads me through the entrance and down a hallway. The walls are lined with glass, and there are colorful fish on either side. It’s as if we’re underwater, and I’m smiling from ear to ear.
At the end of the hall there’s a large spiral staircase, and Oz grips my hand a little tighter as we make our way up. Once we get to the top, I look around and see gigantic cylindrical aquariums throughout a huge room. The only light in the room is coming from them, the softly lit water making a beautiful glow. Oz lets go of my hand as I walk forward in a trance. Once I get to the first aquarium, I see that inside are little pink jellyfish swimming in the water. They float and glide gracefully through the water, delicately dancing with each movement.
I sense Oz behind me, and I turn my head slightly, smiling up at him. “This is incredible. They’re so beautiful.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you,” he says, and leans down, giving my neck a soft kiss.
He takes my hand again and leads me over to a table that’s set up in the middle of the room. It’s rectangular in shape, but the two chairs are both on the same side instead of across from each other. I look at the table, and then look back at him quizzically.
“Just wanted you close,” he says as he holds out a chair for me to sit on.
Once I’m seated, I look around the room at all the giant tubes of jellyfish that surround us. It looks magical and it’s like we are under the sea.
Oz takes the seat to my left, and I look over at him and smile. “This is wonderful. Thank you so much.”
“Anything you want. You need only ask.” Reaching out, he takes my hand in his, and it’s then that I see the advantage of sitting on the same side of the table.
Eugene appears at our table. “Enjoy your evening, Miles. Tell Vivien we said hello, and that Louise and I look forward to seeing her next weekend.”
“I’ll be sure and pass along the message.”