I called Alicia on Thursday night, as she had instructed. "Why don't you come over here tomorrow night?" she asked. I readily agreed, and promised to make dinner.
Alicia had on a loose cotton lounging outfit when she opened the door of her condo. Her thick red hair spilled over her shoulders. She had on a slightly musky scent, and I could see that she wore no bra underneath her top. "Come in," she said, leading me into an expensively furnished living room.
The walls were a pleasant ivory white, the carpet was bluish-gray. Alicia's furniture consisted of overstuffed couches and armchairs. A very nice stereo played some light classical, that sounded like Mozart. There was a sliding glass door which led to a balcony, and adjoining the living room was a smaller dining room. A very comfortable place, I thought.
Alicia had dimmed the lights a little, and although it was still light outside, the shadows were lengthening.
I had a bag of groceries in my arms. Alicia led me to the compact kitchen. I unloaded the bags, and she picked up the nice medium-dry blush I had chosen. "Good choice," she remarked.
"Thanks," I said. "Let me chill it, and I'll pour you some."
"Sure," she said. She left me alone in the kitchen, and went over to the couch. She reclined and closed her eyes, apparently listening to the music. I put the wine in the freezer to chill faster, and set about making dinner. I had some nice fresh salmon, rice, and a salad.
Ten minutes later, I had the oven preheating and the salmon laid out and seasoned. The rice was measured, and the salads were made and cooling in the refrigerator. I took the wine out, and poured two glasses, then went over to the couch.
Mozart was still on. "I like Mozart," I remarked. "I do, too," she replied. "Of all the classical composers, I find his music to be the most, ah, accessible."
"They say he wrote music for the people, not just the elite. His operas are great, too."
She seemed a bit nervous, ill at ease. "Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes," she said. "It's just that I've never done much of this sort of thing. Men usually avoid me." She looked at me. "I don't know how to act around you, Phillip."
"Well, all I can say is that I've enjoyed our time together so far. I'm a little nervous, too, but I know that I like being with you. Let's just try to relax and have a nice evening."
She smiled a little. "Okay," she said.
"Now," I said, "you just relax for a while longer, while I finish making dinner."
For the next twenty minutes or so, I rattled pots and pans. I watched Alicia over the counter. After a while, she curled up on the couch, and closed her eyes again, concentrating on the music.
I must say that I really outdid myself on dinner. The salmon was cooked just right. The rice was tender, the salad fresh. The wine was a bit cooler by now, and perfect for the meal. I watched with some pride as Alicia--no false modesty for her--ate heartily of my cooking. We talked, we drank, we ate. She gradually loosened up some, and even gave me one of her best smiles.
After dinner, I served the coffee and dessert--strawberry shortcake. Alicia ate heartily. I was proud of my cooking and proud of her appetite.
I sent her to the couch while I loaded the dishwasher, and then I got out the bottle of cognac I had brought. I served more coffee and the cognac to her on the couch. She said, "God, Phillip, I could get used to this kind of treatment."
"All part of the plan," I said.