A table for two does not need to be an occasion to deserve a little care. Clear the things that do not belong there. Put out water before wine. Find two plates you like looking at and a cloth napkin, even if the cloth napkin is an old tea towel folded neatly.
Light matters more than decoration. A lamp turned low or a candle away from the draft makes the room feel like it has agreed to stay awhile. Put the serving dish on the table so dinner can arrive all at once, and let the kitchen stop being the main event.
The good cheese does not need to wait for dessert. Set it out with fruit, something crisp, and a small knife. If there is bread, warm it. If there is no bread, no one will mind after the first bite.
Most of all, leave room. A good weeknight table is not a performance; it is a small invitation to pay attention to the person across from you.