Page 52 of Mountain Bean Dream
“How’s that?”
He placed both hands on the table, clasping them together. “They come around with paper and you fill it out like you would in school. Then the event director takes it over to his seat and counts how many are correct and puts the scores of the team up on the display at the end of each round.”
“That’s really wild.” And a little neat, if I were being honest. Sometimes technology was overrated.
“And if you are caught on your phone, you instantly lose the round. So do all of your phone needs before the round starts.”
“How many rounds are there?”
He scratched his beard. “Five or six. I think five for a themed night because then there are awards for the best dressed and a variety of other fun little prizes.”
“I think I’m going to like this event.” But I didn’t want to be the only one in costume and hoped that every time someone walked through the door, they too were dressed in their finest Empire or Republic wear.
“It’s the highlight of the month for me.” But he said it looking straight at me, and I couldn’t help but feel the same.
What was it about this guy? He was nothing like I thought I wanted, and yet, in many ways, he was filling all the things I needed. Around him, I was calm and totally free to be myself. Was he the same? He never seemed uptight and never acted like he was superior like my doctor ex-boyfriend did. In Jeremy’s space, I was comfortable. And dare I say, even internally happy?
We perused the menu a server had dropped off, and as someone who didn’t eat out much, and had only been in this restaurant once before, I had no idea what the house specialty or favourite was.
Jeremy closed the leather-bound menu and set it on the side of the table.
“What do you suggest?”
“Well… if you prefer a pan pizza, you can’t go wrong with the Hawaiian, especially since you are not opposed to pineapple on your pizza.” He covered his heart with his hand. “A rare thing these days.” He sent a charming, heart-racing wink in my direction. “But if you prefer a wood fireplace pizza, and really, why wouldn’t you, then I totally recommend the chicken club.”
“Ooh, pizza made in a wood-burning fireplace?” Inodded. “That sounds delightful. Let’s do that.”
“And to drink? What’s your preference?”
“I haven’t had any pain pills so I should be safe to have a glass of wine.” I tapped the wine list. “Any that you prefer?”
“The bonanza,” he said without skipping a beat.
“Done.”
The server came by, and after complimenting our outfits, took our orders.
“Oh, so you know, the event director takes photos before the trivia begins but after we eat, so don’t spill anything on your outfit.”
“Well, now you’ve jinxed it. I’m going to drop a blob of pizza sauce on my white sweater, aren’t I?” I sure hoped our food came with napkins as I needed to attach one like a bib.
“It’s a white sauce so you may get lucky.”
I stared into his eyes, somehow already feeling a luck I didn’t deserve.
Jeremy rested his hands on the table, rubbing them together, almost as if he was nervous. His eyes shifted around, making me question if he was worried about being in public with me or if it was something else.
“How many questions in a round?”
Shifting in his seat, he shrugged. “Usually a dozen?”
“Alright, I can handle that.” I opened my Trivial Pursuit app and showed Jeremy. “I’ve been practicing, so hopefully we can—”
“Hey, lovely.”
I whipped my head around so fast I wasn’t sure it was going to stop rotating and stared at a sea of black robes walking toward us.
“That’s MacMillian,” Jeremy said under his breath.