“It’s just that he’s a great guy and I want to impress him. I don’t understand where this other shoe could be!” Shoes continued to fly out of the closet I was searching through.
Lorraine laughed as she watched me cast the matching pump to the side with all the others. “Is this the one you’re looking for?” Lorraine asked, dangling it off of her finger.
“Yes!” I replied, snatching it from her while rolling my eyes as I hurried to get ready for my date. “You were going to let me keep searching for that thing, weren’t you?” I laughed.
“I can text you in the middle of your lunch to check in and see how things are going. If they’re not well, you could use it as your excuse to say you need to leave. If you’re having a great time, just tell me you’ll be home later.”
“That’s an excellent idea. Thanks,” I said as I hugged my best friend. “I’m so glad you think this stuff up for me. Okay, now help me with my hair.”
As we fussed over my hair, I looked at my watch. “Oh, we need to hurry up! I’m supposed to be there in less than a half-hour,” I said, taming down a few loose strands.
“You’ll be there in time, and if you’re late, so what. He’ll wait for you.”
“That, or he’ll start calling me the minute I’m not there on time. He doesn’t like to be told no or stood up. He’s made that very clear. Actually, he was worried about me not coming to the restaurant when we made the date. He wanted to come here to pick me up, but I insisted that I meet him.”
Lorraine walked me to the front door. “Be careful,” she waved to me.
“I will! Text me in a little while,” I said as I drove away.
Just as I was pulling up to the restaurant, I saw Dale standing in the parking lot next to his car. My cell phone began to ring as I pulled into a parking space a few cars down from him. I declined the call as I got out of the car and said, “I’m right here!”
“I thought you were going to stand me up,” he laughed. “You look stunning!” he said as he eyed me up and down.
I suddenly felt self-conscious about myself. No man had ever drank in my appearance as he was. I nervously replied, “Thank you,” before we headed into the restaurant.
Chapter Three
As we took our seats at a cozy table in the rear of the restaurant, Dale continued to compliment me on how great I looked.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” the waitress asked as she handed us our menus.
“Can we see your wine list?” Dale asked.
“Yes, let me go get that for you, sir,” the waitress said as she left the table.
“Sorry, I took so long,” I apologized.
“I didn’t think you were coming. You know, I usually pick my dates up instead of meeting them somewhere,” he looked at me sternly.
“I told you, I’m very protective of my daughter. And there’s the fact that I don’t like giving my address to strangers.”
“Kimberly, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m not a stranger. From now on, I’ll pick you up for future dates. I let you off the hook for this first one, but that’s not how I operate.”
“How you operate? Do you think you’re my boss or something? I’m my own woman and I do what I want. Besides, who said there’s going to be future dates? You’re being a bit presumptuous, aren’t you?”
He laughed and shook his head as he leaned in close to me before he lowered his voice. “I call the shots. Always. You didn’t come here today to fight with me or insult me. It’s obvious why you’re here,” he said with a cold look on his face.
“What? Why?” I was rendered speechless once again. He seemed to have that effect on me.
“Because you saw a man you couldn’t resist. One you had to have,” he leaned in closer. “Can’t say I blame you, though,” a devilish grin played on his lips.
“You are absolutely a piece of work. I think I should go,” I said, reaching for my purse.
“Sit down,” he demanded. “Let’s have our date and see how things go. You did promise me one date, and we’re already here.”
§
She looked stunning. Dale drank in her appearance as she sat at the table with him. She was cute the day that he’d met her while she was working, but out of that work uniform, she was drop dead gorgeous. She seemed to have a certain glow about her as her hair flowed over her shoulders, encompassing her face.
“So, tell me more about your daughter,” I smiled at her.