PALINDROME Read Online Free Page B

Keith picked a couple of sushi rolls off the menu that he
had tried before. “We’ll have a Dragon Roll and a Montauk Roll.” He
checked with Allie for approval, but none was forthcoming.
Apparently she was leaning more toward being pissed off. If a guy
had roving eyes on the first date . . . not a good sign.
    “Tap water or bottled?” Dana asked.
    “Tap?” Keith asked, with a gesture toward
Allie, hoping to invest her with the decision.
    “Sparkling,” she replied. “Definitely
sparkling. You haven’t lived here long enough to know that Long
Island water is undrinkable?”
    The mood of their date had turned on the
proverbial dime. It had become really ugly, really fast. Dana
hurried off to retrieve the bottled water. She was back within two
minutes. Keith and Allie filled the two minutes with silence. Dana
filled Allie’s glass first, and then while reaching across the
table to fill Keith’s glass, knocked over Allie’s water glass and
splashed water on her blouse.
    “Christ!” Allie jumped out of her chair,
grabbed her napkin, and began to dry herself. “Pretty but clumsy,”
she mumbled angrily. “Look at me; I’m soaked.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Dana said. She grabbed a
fresh napkin from the next table and helped Allie dry herself.
“Really, I’m so sorry. Let me help you to the ladies’ room.”
    Allie shook her head in disgust before she
glared at Keith. “I’ll be right back.” She stormed off. Dana
followed.
    Keith settled back into his chair and blew
out a deep sigh. He was thankful to have received a short stay of
execution. He was wondering if his date with Allie was completely
over or if there was a chance to patch it up. He pulled out his
cell phone and dialed his friend, Vincent. It rang four times
before going to voicemail. Keith left a message, “Dude, I’m on the
date from hell. I just laid out big bucks for cocktails at Prime,
and the goddamn waitress spilled water all over my date. Shit, man
. . . Okay, call me back. Blue balls tonight, bro.”
     
    ~~~
     
    The restrooms at Prime were private, a series
of individual booths set in a row. Dana found one that was
unoccupied and held the door open for Allie. “Can I come in and
help you?” she asked.
    “Okay, grab something to help me dry off with
and come in.”
    Dana wasted no time. She grabbed several
linen napkins from the supply stand and followed Allie into the
restroom.
     
    ~~~
     
    Allie returned to the dinner table. The wet
spot on her blouse was still visible but she was no longer soaked.
The table had been reset with a dry tablecloth. The sushi
appetizers were already on the table and the presentation was
beautiful.
    “I asked for a new server,” Allie said. “I
hope that’s all right with you.” She tilted her head and met
Keith’s gaze head on, daring him to challenge her.
    “Fine. That chick was totally clumsy.”
    “That’s what happens when your boobs are too
big.” She reflected for a moment and then started to laugh. “I’m
just kidding—I wouldn’t do that to her. I went a little crazy, but
I’m not a total bitch.” She took a sip of her martini. “This looks
beautiful, but I don’t think I can eat now.” A moment passed. “Do
you want to get out of here?” she whispered.
    Keith looked down at the sushi platter, forty
dollars worth of raw fish. He was about to open his mouth when he
felt her toes along the inside of his leg. He looked up in surprise
to meet Allie’s suggestive smile.
    “How hungry are you?” she whispered in a
concealed manner, leaving no doubt as to her intentions.
    Keith snapped his fingers. Dana stopped at
their table. She still looked embarrassed. Keith pointed at the
sushi. “We’ll take this to go . . . and the check too.”
    “We feel terrible about the little accident,”
Dana said. “It’s on the house.” She picked up the sushi platter.
“I’ll just box this up and be right back.” She dashed off.
    “Smart move, handsome,” Allie said