EXTRACT FOR
Fantasies Incoprorated 02 - The Dinner Date
(Bridy McAvoy)

I was in love. I couldn't escape that fact; I was hopelessly and head over heels in love with Pete. Sitting in the expensive restaurant in my little black dress I watched him apprehensively. He seemed ill at ease; something was bothering him, something he didn't want to talk to me about. This was making me nervous and I could feel the butterflies in my stomach.

Every time I tried to steer the conversation around to whatever was bothering him he avoided answering and changed the subject. Normally our dinner conversation was light and flirty and chatty. That was one of the things I loved about him. Usually by the time I'd had a few glasses the conversation would turn suggestive, fruity and even downright raunchy. Tonight he wasn't responding.

Finally over the coffees I confronted him.

"Pete, just tell me what's wrong?"

He looked at me with those big eyes of his. I could drown in those eyes.

"Come on, tell me. You can't hide it from me you know . . ."

"Well Christie . . ."

He stopped unable to go on and then after a moment he continued.

"How much money have you got on you?"

"A few dollars why?"

"When I went up to the bar to settle the bill, the credit card got refused."

"What?"

"True . . . I'm sorry darling but I can't pay the bill. I haven't got much in the way of cash on me and this place doesn't take cheques."

She sat there stunned, he continued.

"The manager doesn't want a scene so in a few moments the waiter is going to take us back to the office to talk to us. At least it won't be as embarrassing as having a confrontation out here."

 "I should say so."