“Luca, I assume you are having the Chef Special as usual?” The waiter smiled at him.
Luca nodded. “Yes, please.”
“Excellent. Can I bring you anything else?”
“Not for now, thank you,” he answered.
Luca poured Trisha some water. “Is this your first time in London?”
Trisha shook her head. “My second time. In my teens, I visited London with my mom.”
“And now you decided to visit London all by yourself. You never can go wrong with London.” He pressed his lips together. “My flight was booked for today. I am glad that it was rescheduled.”
Trisha smiled. “Where do you live? You boarded the plane in Amsterdam but have an American phone number.”
“I am originally from Rome. I got a job offer in Chicago, where I live now. Now and then, I visit the Amsterdam and London offices. I am flying back home to Rome on Thursday evening to see my family. I miss them a lot, especially my nieces and nephews. And my mom’s cooking, of course.”
A Cozy, Elegant Setting
The restaurant was cozy yet elegant, with soft lighting and a warm, intimate ambiance. The gentle hum of conversation mixed with the faint sound of jazz playing in the background. The scent of fresh bread and herbs lingered in the air, and the tables, adorned with crisp white linens and small vases of flowers, created a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
A Delicious Start
The waiter returned with their first course: a classic Caprese salad. The creamy burrata glistened under a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil paired with ripe, ruby-red tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. The tangy balsamic reduction was artfully drizzled on the plate, its sweetness complementing the vibrant flavors. They enjoyed the starter while Luca chatted about his family back in Rome. Trisha listened, amused at how passionately he spoke about them.
“I am talking too much. Now, you must be thinking that I am egocentric.”
“Oooh no, I love listening to you. So don’t worry about it.”
A Hot Mess (Literally)
The waiter cleared their table, and shortly after, he arrived with the second course. The grilled salmon looked and smelled divine—perfectly seared with crispy edges, drizzled with a herbed butter sauce that pooled around the plate. Its delicate, golden crust gave way to moist, flaky flesh seasoned with just the right balance of salt and citrus. The hint of smoky char added depth, while the fresh dill and buttery glaze elevated every bite.
“Be careful,” said the waiter to Trisha, “the plate is hot!”
“I hope you like it,” said Luca. “It looks good.”
“It does look delicious, doesn’t it?” She took the lemon and squeezed the juice on the fish—and, accidentally, on Luca.
“I am sorry,” said Trisha with an embarrassed and startled look.
Luca laughed. “Don’t worry about it; it’s okay. The dry cleaner will fix it.”
“Trisha, you are so clumsy,” she said to herself.
“Besides, lemon is my perfume,” Luca joked as he dabbed his napkin on his shirt. “Don’t worry about it, Trisha. It’s just lemon. Please. Your salmon is getting cold.”
A Shared Sweet Moment
They ate and talked about their travels and the places they wanted to visit.
“Travelling is all about the experience.” He dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “The food is always good here. Does the beautiful lady have any room for dessert?”
Trisha shook her head. “I am sorry, I don’t have any room for dessert.”
“That is a shame since they have the best tiramisu here. I suggest that we share one.”
Trisha smiled. “Are you trying to persuade me?”
“Come on, you can take one bite. You really should taste it. I don’t want my date to miss out.” Luca didn’t wait for her answer and nodded at the waiter.
“Luca, did the Signorina and you enjoy your dinner?”
“As always. Can we order one tiramisu, please? The beautiful Signorina is full, unfortunately.”
The waiter looked at Trisha. “Ooh, that is not good. You should come back for the tiramisu. We are open for lunch. So one tiramisu to share, it is.”
“With two spoons, please,” Trisha quickly added.
The waiter nodded. “No problem, signorina,” he said with a straight face.
A Moment to Reflect
“I had a wonderful night, Trisha. When are you flying back?”
“Friday. I start work on Monday.”
Luca filled the empty glasses with wine. “I am flying back on Thursday to see my family. I have an important dinner with one of our clients tomorrow, which I unfortunately cannot reschedule. I’d rather spend my evening with… you.” He took a sip of wine and smiled at Trisha.
Trisha blushed and swallowed. “Clients do pay the bills.”
“Yes, they do. They pay the bills.” He looked at her and scratched his cheek. “I had a wonderful evening, and I hope we can stay in touch. Do you want a coffee or anything else?”
Trisha shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Luca waved at the waiter and signaled for the bill. “Excuse me, I have to go to the men’s room.”
Trisha nodded. She quickly checked her phone for messages. Much to her surprise, there was a message from Sid.
I am looking forward to having lunch with you next week.
Sid.
Trisha smiled at her phone and pressed her lips. She felt like a schoolgirl who had received a note from the boy she liked. Trisha put her phone in her bag and sipped from her water. She hadn’t touched the glass of wine Luca had poured for her.
An Unexpected Goodbye
When Luca returned, he looked at her. “You look very pretty when you are smiling.” Luca didn’t sit down but kept standing. “Shall we go?”
“I think we should wait for the bill before we can leave.” Trisha looked at Luca in disbelief.
“It is taken care of,” he said with a charming smile.
“Ooh… but I am more than happy to split the bill.”
He gave her a big grin. “Thank you for the offer. But it is my treat. Shall we go?”
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