Jill looked up at her and was still stunned by this entire pronouncement. “Look Irene, I don’t know what you think is going on, but we aren’t like that.”
Irene looked at her and smiled “Not yet. Now, let’s make you look even more fabulous!”
Mike cleaned up and pulled out his best suit. He could hear giggles coming out of Jill’s room, but he smiled knowing they were having fun. He made sure his look was as good as it could get before he walked out to wait in the living room.
At 6:30, the door opened. Irene came out and proclaimed, “Bow down before the royal princess Jill, and prepare to be stunned!” Jill walked out in a blue dress (perfectly matched to her eyes), deep cut, silver three-inch heels, and Mike was speechless. “Gob-smacked. That’s the word for you today” Irene said.
Mike could do nothing but nod his head. Irene looked at him and said “The car arrives in 10 minutes, close your mouth and learn to talk before then. I’m outta here. Jill, treat him like he treats you. You guys have fun!”
Irene walked out, and Mike just stared for a minute. Jill, nervously, said “Do I look OK?” Mike looked at her and said “No. You look OK in dirty clothes with no shower for days. Today, you look …. Words fail me now. I can’t describe just how amazing you look.”
Jill blushed at him and said “You clean up pretty nice yourself. I guess the paparazzi are going to have a field day with us tonight!”
Mike laughed and said, “I doubt they’ll be there for me, but they will definitely be taking your picture!” The limo pulled in the drive, and Mike looked at her and said “Ready, m’lady?” as he took her arm. Jill nodded her assent as they got in.
Mike slipped the driver a Benjamin and said, “You know the itinerary, right?” “Yes sir, we are on our way. The champagne is chilled.”
They drove out, Mike served the champagne without the cork flying everywhere. She looked at him, smiling, and said “Is this how all dates go?”
Mike said “Only the best ones. You are getting the top shelf experience tonight.” She laughed, and they settled in with small talk as the ride went along. Mike kept telling her how nice she looked, and she kept telling him he was foolish. Forty-five minutes later, they pulled up to a restaurant.
She got out and looked frightened. “I have never been to anything even close to this. I don’t know how to act”.
“Just be yourself. You’re perfect, and we are going to enjoy this” Mike replied.
Once seated, with a drink ordered, the waiter came with the menu. Jill opened it and started laughing “I don’t actually know what any of this is! It isn’t even English!”
Mike smiled and said “This is a real Italian place. If you like, I can order for you. I know some of what you like.”
She looked at him, relieved “Please do. I don’t know how to say any of these words!”
When the waiter returned, Mike said some words that Jill knew to be Italian sounding, but with no idea of what he was ordering. The waiter took her menu and smiled down at her “Bella, you are” as he walked away. She almost called after him, reconsidered, and looked at Mike.