Deeper (The Real Fling) by Lyla Bellatas

impossible. Why had she been rushing home anyway? She was just going to get fired. Ugh. Right now she needed to soak up as much time with Val as possible. He was great for her confidence.
    Val edged her chin up and his mouth pressed against hers. “Let’s get lunch. I know a great place.”
    He drove back to his home, brought her bag inside, and Adriana put on a pair of dry jeans and a fresh sweater.
    “Where are we going?”
    Val took her hand. “You will see.” They walked to town and they got on the gondola with a couple of skiers. The restaurant 10 th was located in Mid-Vail right next to the gondola.
    “I’ve never been on a mountain without my skis. Feels weird.” They entered the restaurant, which was as lovely as the high-end restaurants in the city. Linen table cloths and walls of windows. “This is nice.” They took off their jackets and boots and were given loner slippers. “Definitely like this part.” She wiggled her toes in the furry slip-ons.
    Val’s hand was on Adriana’s lower back as they were ushered to a table by the windows near the fire. “How are you?” He handed her a menu.
    “Couldn’t be better.”
    “Funny how that goes.” He drank his water. “What are you in the mood for?”
    Giggling, she put her napkin in her lap. “Do you really want me to list them?”
    “More?” He ran his hand through his hair.
    She looked at him through her lashes. “Yeah.”
    “Okay, but we need to eat first.” Shaking his head, his eyes glittered. “I need a steak. Lots of iron.” He winked.
    Val ordered Caesar salad for two, a couple of steaks, and a bottle of Cabernet. “How is your shoulder?”
    Adriana rolled it gently. “So much better.”
    “I told you.”
    “Of course, because you’re rarely wrong.” His face lit up like the fourth of July when he smiled, Adriana touched his cheek and inhaled sharply. “You shaved.”
    He took her hand and kissed her palm. “You just noticed?”
    The server came over with the wine, uncorked it, and poured a little for Val to taste. Val handed the goblet to Adriana, much to the sommelier’s chagrin.
    Swirling to aerate it, she slowly brought it to her lips and sipped. “Mmm.” She widened her eyes approvingly at Val. “Good choice. It’s full-bodied and dry with nice peppery notes. It’ll go well with the steak.”
    The steward bowed stiffly, poured Val’s glass, and topped Adriana’s off. Val leaned in and clinked glasses to her. “To fate and deeper…” He closed his eyes briefly, “…everything.”
    A sharp pain lashed through Adriana’s chest, a small taste of the staggering grief she’d surely experience when she finally had to leave him. She tried to block it out, but it hung over her like heavy smoke, choking her. She avoided his face, paying careful attention to folding her napkin. I need to keep this light. It’s just a fling.
    The waiter cleared his throat and Val sat back, letting him serve their salads.
    Adriana did her best to calm her jittery nerves. “Thanks for taking me here.” With nervous hands, she got her phone.
    “Any word from the office?”
    “No cell service.” Her tone flattened with disappointment. She put her phone away and forked a crinkly green from her salad. “There’s kale in the Caesar.”
    “This is Colorado. They have to get it in there somehow.”
    “I guess. What are they going to sneak in the middle of the steak, chia seeds?” She bit into it carefully and bobbed her head left and right. “It’s all right, but how bad could it be doused in cheesy dressing?”
    Val threw his shoulders back like he was winding up to say something.
    Adriana stopped him short. “What’s for dessert?”
    “The King’s Sundae.”
    “The what? You’ll have to roll me out of here.”
    His eyes glowed like the most priceless Sri Lankan sapphires. “It’s peanut butter ice cream, on top of fried banana bread, with crispy bacon praline. Can you imagine?” He rolled his head back in ecstasy. She’d