Chapter 10: The First Date

The seafood restaurant Taylor mentioned was over three kilometers away from the stadium, located across from the Hilton Hotel in West Palm Beach. It was called Joyce Brothers Lobster House, a luxurious and upscale establishment.

The restaurant's signature dishes were lobster and stone crab, sourced from the nearby Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

While lobsters at the Palm Beach Seafood Market cost just over ten dollars per pound, a bowl of stone crab bisque with lobster at this restaurant was $180, a lobster gratin was $125, and a plate of jasmine-marinated raw oysters was $35.

However, the taste was indeed excellent. It retained the fresh flavor of the ingredients while perfectly blending in the aroma of the seasonings, resulting in a richer and more layered taste.

Listening to the violin playing in the restaurant and enjoying a glass of Fiano white wine made the extra few hundred dollars feel worthwhile.

After a day of boxing training, Link's stomach was empty. When the lobster arrived, he switched into glutton mode, constantly stuffing food into his mouth. Meanwhile, Taylor, sitting across from him, ate and chatted, seemingly less interested in the food than he was.

"Link, who's your favorite female singer?"

Taylor asked, resting her chin on her hand.

Link paused, fork in midair, and thought for a moment. "Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Alison Krauss... oh, and you. Your songs are all great."

"Hmph, did you add me out of politeness? I can tell."

Taylor pouted slightly, not entirely satisfied with his answer.

Link shook his head and chuckled. "No, I listed them in order of debut. Your songs are fantastic. I believe you'll be as great as them someday."

"Thank you!"

Taylor smiled happily. "How's your boxing training going?"

"Not bad. I'm doing intensive training and plan to participate in amateur matches soon, then enter the professional boxing world next year. My coach says my technique is pretty good, and I have a chance to compete for a championship belt."

"That's amazing! I'll come to cheer you on when you have matches."

Taylor said, playfully punching the air.

Link bumped his fist against hers.

After dinner, Link rode his motorcycle with Taylor, slowly cruising the streets and stopping to admire any scenic views they encountered.

They held hands and walked side by side, giving him the illusion of being in a relationship. Unfortunately, Taylor never showed any intention of going to a hotel, and he didn't want to be the one to suggest it.

Around eight o'clock, Taylor's phone rang for the fourth time. It was Andrea, who told Taylor that Miami wasn't safe at night and she had to return early. Her voice sounded stern.

Link could only take Taylor to the Hyatt Place Hotel.

As soon as they arrived at the hotel entrance, Andrea hurried out of the lobby. She merely nodded at Link before pulling Taylor into the hotel.

Link waved at Taylor and rode away on his motorcycle.

"Mom, Link is my friend. You shouldn't treat him like that."

Taylor threw down her hat and said angrily.

"Taylor, I know it wasn't right. I'm just worried about you. You've only known Link for a few days and don't understand him. I don't recommend getting too close to him."

Andrea picked up the hat and followed Taylor into the elevator.

"Mom, are you trying to interfere in my personal life? I'm nineteen, an adult."

Taylor pursed her lips and said stubbornly.

Andrea shook her head and smiled. "Taylor, I'm not trying to interfere in your personal life. I'm just offering some advice from an adult's perspective. You're a singer, an idol. You're only in Miami for the music festival and will be leaving in a few days.

Link is an ordinary person who lives by the sea. If you like him, you should keep your distance and not get too close to him, giving him unrealistic fantasies.

If you don't like him and are just chatting with him to find inspiration for your songwriting, then forget what I said."

The elevator slowly ascended. Taylor thought carefully and realized she did like Link. First of all, he was handsome and cool, with muscles all over his body. He was strong, like a mysterious agent from a Hollywood movie. Dating him should be fun.

Andrea glanced at her and gently stroked her back. "Taylor, there's one thing you must understand. We live in Nashville and will be going back after the music festival. It's not suitable for you to date him. My advice is to keep your distance and be ordinary friends. If you want to find a boyfriend, you can look within the music industry. You'll have more in common."

"Mom, I know. I know what to do."

Taylor waved her hand and entered her room.

Andrea looked at her daughter's back and shook her head.

She didn't think there would be any good outcome between Taylor and that diver.

Although Taylor sounded serious and seemed interested in Link, she was a smart girl. She would soon realize and focus more on her music. After all, music was her life, not Link.

Back at Baker's Dive Shop, light shone through the glass windows.

"Why are you back so late? Did you go on a date?"

James asked, holding his wet hands up.

Link looked at the few freshly washed diving suits and smiled. "Looks like business was good today."

"It could have been even better. Two customers needed divers, but you weren't here."

James gave him a resentful look, then suddenly sniffed the air, put down the spray nozzle, and rushed towards him.

"What is that delicious smell?"

Link placed the restaurant takeaway box on the counter. It was originally packed for his breakfast tomorrow, but with a gluttonous fatty around, he needed to reconsider his meal plan.

"A takeaway box from Joyce Brothers? You went to West Palm Beach? I heard that restaurant is very expensive. How could you afford to eat there?"

James said, quickly opening the box. While the lobster inside was still warm, he picked it up and devoured it, praising its deliciousness as he ate. In the end, he even finished the soup and sauce.

Link shook his head. This guy ate more and more, and the more he ate, the fatter he got. Sooner or later, he would become a ball.

After finishing the food, James sat on the sofa, rubbing his bulging belly, and said contentedly, "I should have skipped Daniel's discounted hot dogs this afternoon. Who did you eat with this afternoon, Taylor? How much did you spend?"

"Over eight hundred."

Link said, rinsing the salt stains off the diving suit with the spray nozzle.

"Over eight hundred? Are you crazy? Do you still want to live?"

James tried to sit up but couldn't due to his full stomach. He had to use both arms to push himself up from the sofa like a pregnant woman.

"Is eight hundred a lot? Do you know how much Roy Jones Jr. makes per boxing match? At least two million. He won't even step into the ring for less than that. Mayweather makes even more. I'll earn even more in the future, so there's no need to fuss over this small amount of money."

Link said confidently.

"Tsk!"

James rolled his eyes, reached out to wash his hands under the spray nozzle, and said, "I can say the same thing. Do you know how much Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks get paid? At least fifteen million. In the future, my salary will be even higher than theirs.

But we all know that's just a joke, Link. You can't think that just because you beat a few lousy boxers at a bar, you can win against professional boxers. That's impossible. We need to face reality."

James dried his hands with a towel. "It's like you and Taylor. She's a star, and you're an ordinary person. Your lifestyles are very different. Having a meal with her costs eight hundred dollars. A few more meals like that, and you'll be out on the streets.

Link, listen to me. Let's focus on running the shop and earning money slowly. Don't get involved in other things. They're useless."

James paused and leaned his chubby face closer. "Are you listening to me?"

"You can leave now."

Link aimed the spray nozzle at his face. James was drenched with water, gave him a resentful look, wiped his face with a towel, picked up his car keys and the garbage bag, and left.

Link finished cleaning a few sets of diving equipment, dried and disinfected them, and then took a hot bath.

Around nine o'clock, he went to bed. Taylor sent two messages, the first saying that she had rehearsals all day tomorrow and couldn't come to teach him guitar, and thesecond saying goodnight.

Link also replied with two messages, saying that he would buy a guitar tomorrow and wishing Taylor goodnight.

The next day, Link continued his routine of early morning weighted runs and boxing practice. His days were simple and peaceful, yet tranquil.

New book seeking reads, recommendations, and monthly votes.

(End of Chapter)