Twenty eight

'It's so clear now that you are all that I have. I have no fear 'cause you are all that I have.'

-Snow Patrol-

***

After enjoying chatting in Central Park, the man now invited me to the Meatpacking District to have lunch at a seafood restaurant. Andre said he often came here with his two younger siblings when they had free time. However, not now, the man said. Jessica was busy with activities at Harvard University, which made her prefer to sink into a pile of books rather than go out with her two older brothers.

We walked into Chelsea Market and stopped at the Cull & Pistol restaurant. The room is relatively small but looks very clean and comfortable. We sat in chairs on the left side of the restaurant, facing several servers who looked busy serving other customers. The aroma of food fills this room, and the clinking of glasses filled with cola is the best accompaniment, although don't drink too much soda, which can kill the kidneys.

"What do you want to eat?" Andre asked. "Let me recommend." He tapped his right finger against his chin while reading the menu at this restaurant.

"Choose me who you think is the best," I asked.

"Two lobster rolls," he ordered the waiter. "Key lime pie and Harney & Sons ice tea, please."

"It's the happy hour now, sir. Don't order our oysters, too?" the waiter offered oysters. Are the oysters he promotes delicious? I'm curious.

"Ah, that too, I'll order oysters, thank you."

I gaped at Andre's order, which I thought was quite a lot. Oh my gosh, is he trying to make me fat? Didn't he realize that we used up everything in his picnic bag? He turned his head while raising one thick eyebrow as if he could read what was in my head.

"You're skinny, so you have to eat a lot. I told you, fat you are prettier, Lizzie," he joked. "I'm sure you like the food here. Everything is delicious, especially oysters, and at a happy hour like this, they are very cheap."

"How many?"

"Just a dollar," he answered with a chuckle. "Don't gape like that; you don't know what it feels like, do you?"

I sneered; Andre liked to annoy me. Then, circle as the restaurant gets busier. There was a feeling of discomfort that started to creep up on me until I moved my seat closer to the table.

"Are you okay? Shall we change places?" Andre caught my reaction.

I shook my head. "I'm fine, don't make me look weak, okay?" I have to learn to face this crowd no matter how difficult it is, right?

Not long after, a shaved-headed waiter approached us with an order that made my eyes widen. The main dish is a Connecticut-style lobster roll combined with sliced fried potatoes. I can already smell the melted butter and sautéed garlic making my mouth water. Then serve the oysters on a large plate decorated with shaved ice cubes and thin slices of lemon. Don't forget two glasses of soda.

"Come on, eat," said Andre, "just looking at it won't fill you up."

First, we tried the lobster roll, opening the hard, reddish shell with food cracker tongs. The whitish flesh waving and wanting to enter the stomach immediately makes the mouth impatient. When he touched his tongue, my eyes immediately widened to feel how delicious Andre's recommendations were.

Don't forget the mayonnaise, which plays a significant role in making this seafood taste even better. Fresh lemon juice that doesn't make the sauce feel thick, chopped celery for a crunchy sensation, and thinly sliced chives. It all bursts on the tongue in one bite.

"Delicious, right?" guessed Andre, smiling at me while supporting his chin. "Until you can't say anything anymore."

This time, I agreed, and my appetite immediately increased, not to mention seeing Andre, who was greedily eating oysters. A summer like this is suitable for spending time with various seafood while sitting and enjoying the sea breeze. Unfortunately, we were stuck in a small restaurant.

"Try this." Andre fed me an oyster that had been topped with lemon juice.

"Hm, this is delicious!" I praised and then took the second oyster, making Andre laugh.

"Do you want to add more oysters?" he offered.

I shook my head while chuckling. "We still have a long way to go, Mr. Johnson. I'm sure you won't make me stop at this restaurant."

"Yes, especially if I can eat alone with you," he said blushing.

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