Lunch and a new beginning

As Greg led Mary out of the convention center, she leaned her head against his shoulder and tightly gripped his arm. The street outside the hotel bustled with throngs of con-goers. Mary scanned row after row of fancy restaurants that lined the way.

Brazillian BBQ! Oh, Thai! I love Thai! Mary thought her mouth was beginning to salivate. Her eyes lit up as Greg grabbed the sturdy wooden handle connected to a massive oak door and led her into the poshest establishment Mary had ever set foot. The sweet aroma of basil, oregano, and fresh tomatoes filled the young woman’s nostrils. Oh, this must be an authentic Italian restaurant. All I ever get back home is Fazollis or Chef Boyardee.

As the young girl looked around, she noticed that most of the patrons waiting for a table at Frasca’s were not fellow con-goers. There are a lot more three-piece suits than Star Trek uniforms in here. Subconsciously, Mary placed a hand over the Cowboy Bebop logo on her T-shirt.

While Greg stood in line to place their names on the waiting list, Mary studied the menu in the restaurant lobby. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anywhere where that listed its prices in whole dollar amounts. Eating here might be a mistake. I doubt I have enough money in my pocket for a glass of water at a place like this.

“Hey, Tiffany,” Greg said as he made his way to the hostess stand. A shy smile was creeping across his face. “I didn’t realize you worked here.”

A gorgeous brunette looked up from a list that sat on the podium before her. As soon as she spied the handsome lawyer, a wide grin spread across her flawless face. “Mr. Campbell! Yeah, my dad got me this job. He knows the owner.” Then she added with a noticeable bit of hopefulness in her voice. “Will you be dining alone?”

“No, no,” Greg replied as he made a sweeping hand jester towards Mary whose attention snapped around to his interaction with the lovely young woman. “It will be a table for two.”

Tiffany turned her attention to Mary and surveyed her with a look that was both dismissive and hostile. “One of your cousins in trouble again? Haven’t seen with one of your uncle’s brood in quite a while.”

“Oh, no we’re not related,” Greg answered innocently oblivious to the hostility in Tiffany’s barb. “This is Mary. I met her last night at the con.”

“Pleased to meet you, Mary,” the hostess said each word tinged with ice. “Greg and I have known each other for years. My father gave him his first job.”

“Really?” Mary replied with faux shock. “Well, he and I only met last night. We haven’t had the chance to talk about old acquaintances.”

The two new rivals stared each other down until Finally, the maitre d led Greg and Mary away to their table. Greg leaned in close and placed a possessive hand on Mary’s lower back. “Don’t worry about the prices on the menu. I didn’t bring you here, expecting to split the bill.” He beamed at Mary.

There are a lot of unspoken promises in that smile of his; Mary thought as a blush crept up her neck.

Mary paused at the seat the maitre d had pulled out for her. She shot a look back at the hostess station. Mary felt uncertain if she should stay or flee. I don’t want to lose him. He’s made this a fantastic con so far. Also, Greg seems the perfect gentleman. But after watching him interacting with that hooker and how familiar she is with... I wonder...

“Please, I insist,” Greg said as he had taken the waiter’s place in holding Mary’s chair. Mary shook her head, bring herself back to the here and now. “If there is one thing I pride myself on, it’s how to treat a lady. Especially on a date.” Mary let her guard down and lowered herself into the chair. Greg pushed it up to the table.

_Mary blushed at the thought. A date?!? I guess it is. I hadn’t thought of it like that but... Greg seems so sweet, and I am loving our time together; _She thought her mind racing about trying to get a handle on the situation.

Mary’s mood suddenly soured as in her peripheral; she saw the hostess walking away from the lectern. Cousin!?! What a cunt! Mary thought as she remembered back to Tiffany’s put down as she scanned the menu without actually reading it. Greg and I certainly did things last night that cousins shouldn’t do. I bet miss walks the street as a second job would have jumped at the chance to be in my place. Especially after last night {if Sex With Greg = 1}when he was balls deep in me. That slut probably would have alerted those nerds on the outside. She seems like the type that likes to show off.{else}when I took him in my mouth. Though I highly doubt she would have been satisfied just to blow him.{endif}

“So do you come to Tomorrow Con a lot? Asked Mary. Jesus what a boring basic question; she thought immediately cringing and mentally chastising herself.

“Every year for six years now,” Greg answered with slight disinterest as he languidly flipped through the wine lists. “One of my communal traditions. I take it this is your first year?”

“Yes. It has been so overwhelming and… provocative.” A deep blush crept up Mary’s neck as sheepishly add that last word.

In silence, Greg studied Mary for a bit. His eyes seemed as though they were trying to pierce her very soul. “Yes, I suppose it has been.” Then he reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers. “I hope that I can help you to continue to have an eventful first Tomorrow Con.”

After a few glasses of red wine, Mary started to loosen up. As they waited for the main course, Mary and Greg talked about many different subjects. By the time their waiter set their plates before them, Mary was giggly and brazenly flirting with Greg.

“Maybe after this is done, I can visit you away from the con.” Mary said the wine taking control and overruling her better judgment.

Visit? Slow down, Mary. You’ve only just met this guy. Yeah, last night was marvelous, but you have to slow down. You don’t want him to think you’re some love-sick puppy just because {if Sex With Greg = 1}we had sex.{else}I sucked his cock.{endif} I bet he’s been with lots of different girls. Wait. Mary stopped her thought process and began to wonder. Since Greg is an older man, surely he’s married or has a girlfriend. I don’t see a ring, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t take it off for the weekend.

“Um,” Mary said softly

“What is it? You can ask me anything” said Greg

“I hate to ask this but…. are you married?” Mary asked

Greg’s face went a little dark for a moment but returned to his usual cheerfulness “No I am not married but I was in a long-term relationship until a couple of months ago, and I would rather not discuss that any further please.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’d mean to make you remember that” said Mary

“It’s ok. It’s in the past. Let’s enjoy the present. And yes I would be delighted if you came for a visit,” Greg said, answering her first question as well.

Mary and Greg talked for what seemed like hours about all kinds of subjects. Mary made certain to keep the subject light. She focused on favorite animes, video games, etc. It seems they would talk about one thing and then move into a tangent about something. Then Greg brought up the subject of the night before.

“Listen to me Mary about last night... I haven’t felt anything like that in a long while. I don’t know what possessed me to go to the anime room. Boredom maybe, or perhaps I just thought I would see what dirty anime was showing lat at night and then go back to my room fap. But when I saw you... There was just something I can’t quite put my finger on, and after talking to you. I want to know you much better than I do now.”

Greg was so flirting was so enthralling that Mary didn’t notice when a foot was stroking her leg. “We are moving so fast. I don’t know what to feel. I thought if I made a love connection here at the con, it would be John. Not someone my dad’s age.”

“What did you have in mind?” Mary asked

“Why don’t we go back to my room for a bit? It’s only 3 o’clock, and the con can drag a bit at this point. We can talk more and then hit the con nightlife,” said Greg.