“So what’s going on with you?” Shelby asks.
“Well, I was calling to let you know that I have a date,” I whisper into the phone.
“You WHAT?” she screams. “Please tell me it is with that hunk of a man Adam, or I swear to God I will come up there and kick your ass myself.”
“It is with Adam, and I am so nervous.”
“Why are you nervous, sis? The two of you have done everything except for fu….”
“Shelby! Stop that! And anyway, what do you know about screwing around? Or have you finally given it up to someone?” I tease.
“No, I haven’t given it up to anyone, you dork. You know I don’t have time for a man; how many times do I have to tell you? Oh, hell! Erin, I have to go. Something is happening in the kitchen and I can hear my chef screaming. I love you! You deserve this more than anyone, so go have the time of your life. I want details tomorrow. Bye!”
Even though my little sister doesn’t hear me, I tell her ‘bye’ anyway and as I am finishing up my hair, I close my eyes and pray that she and I can both find happiness.
Confirming in the mirror that I look appealing enough with a pair of dark jeans and a lightweight green sweater, I apply a nude colored lip gloss and run my fingers through my hair one more time. Just as I am slipping into my shoes, the doorbell rings.
“Now who could that be?” I wonder out loud. I make my way down the hall and when I go to open the door, I notice it is Adam on the other side as I see him through one of the sidelights. Confusion sets in as I notice it isn’t locked...so what he is doing ringing the doorbell at his own house? I open the door and I am immediately assaulted with the smell of roses.
“Adam, what is this?”
“I’m here to pick you up for our date.” Leaning in, he brushes his lips over my cheek and takes a step back as he hands me the roses. “These are for you, and you look even more gorgeous than I remember,” he proclaims.
Trying not to laugh because he is standing in his own doorway, I take the roses from him and as they are already in a vase, I turn around and set them on the table. Adam takes hold of my hand as we walk outside; he doesn’t let it go until he opens the door of his truck and helps me get in. As he climbs behind the wheel, I turn to him to ask him where we’re going.
Before I can get the words out of my mouth, he looks and says, “Before you ask where we’re going, don’t, because I want you to sit there and wonder. But one thing I do know, Erin, is you will love it.”
************
As we slow down on the country road, I glance over and see a big smile across Adam’s face. Turning my attention back to where we’re going, I can’t believe my eyes when I see the beauty before me. This has been a huge dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
“Oh my God, Adam! You remembered.”
“Of course I remembered. You told me how excited you were about seeing a vineyard when we were driving here from Texas.”
“This is beautiful, Adam,” I try to say calmly, but deep down inside I am screaming and saying, get me out of this damn truck!
“You ready?” Adam ask as he opens my door with a little bit of humor in his voice. He is up to something; I can tell by the expression on his face.
“What do you have planned, Adam?” I ask skeptically. He closes my door and hits his key fob to lock the truck. I can’t help but feel the warmth that spreads throughout my body as he puts his arm around my shoulders and whispers in my ear.
“I hope you’re not fond of those jeans you have on.”
Suddenly I stop dead in my tracks and he leans his head back and laughs as I give him the dirtiest look.
“Get your little blonde head out of the gutter, woman,” Adam smirks as he quirks his eyebrows.
I look up to him with a mischievous expression. “Now you’re really pressing your luck, Adam, because my head was not in the gutter.”
He quickly pulls me into him and draws me as near to him as he possibly can. “Yes, it was,” he challenges me.
I raise my eyebrows as if to challenge him back, but we both bust out laughing, hard. Adam leans down and kisses my cheek lightly, then turns us around. My eyes take in what I am sure is going to be one of the best nights I have ever had.
We walk toward the back of the building where they have tables spread all across the lawn. Every table is set up with candles and they are all far enough apart to give everyone the privacy they need. After Adam gives the hostess his name, she takes us to a table situated at the end of a row close to a part of the vineyard. Adam pulls out my chair for me and I take my seat. Just as he sits down across from me, the waiter appears with a few bottles of wine for us to try.