Rewriting the Rules(16)

I smile reading his message and swoon a little. He's from the south! From Texas!

Me: Hi Reed. I'm Charlotte and just got into town. I went to school in  Michigan and am originally from Michigan. I'm new to this too so we can  learn together =) Honestly, I'm looking to meet and casually date. I  just got out of a relationship too.

Reed: I'm sorry to hear that. My girlfriend cheated on me and I found  out on my birthday. Happy birthday to me, huh? It's been hard and I  think I'm ready to get out there lol.

Me: I hear you. Well, Shawn didn't cheat on me, but it wasn't there anymore.

Reed: Ah . . . well then please don't break my broken heart. ;)

Me: Well don't be a creeper then. ;)

Reed: If you're not busy I'm at Starbucks in Pittsford. Would you like to meet me?

Me: You know what. Sure. I'll message you when I'm there.

Reed: I look forward to it, Charlotte.

Me: Me too, Reed.

Okay I think this might not be the best thing. He seems nice and cute.  Nothing can go wrong right? I screenshot his picture and send it to  Jessica.

Jessica: WOW! He's . . . fuck.



Me: Right?



Jessica: Go and text me later.



Me: K.



Looking for a cute outfit, I pick out white shorts and a loose fitting,  sheer, pink top. Fixing my makeup and scrunching my hair, I air kiss my  mirror and leave Will a note that I'm out. As soon as I get in the car  and start driving to Starbucks, my hands are shaking like mad. This  isn't me! I don't randomly meet guys and think something will happen.  All I want is someone to distract me from Troy. I'm not the type of  woman to sleep around. I've only been with two guys in my life!   





 

At the stop light, I see Starbucks and start sweating. Rummaging through  my purse, I look for deodorant or spray. Normally I don't get nervous,  and normally I don't do this.

Pulling into an empty space, I apply some gloss and spray myself before  walking in. I look to the right and see Reed looking at me.

Wow, you're hotter in person.

I smile and walk over. "Hi. Reed?"

When he looks up and shows me his gorgeous green eyes and smoldering  look I fight to stay standing. He smiles back and stands up looking at  me. "Wow. I mean," he laughs, and looks away. His southern drawl is  panty dropping. "You're beautiful, Charlotte."

Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, I blush a little and sit down.  Neither of us says anything and I notice his MacBook and Gucci watch  around his wrist. He's wearing a polo and shorts with basic flip flops,  his hair is styled with gel, and his green eyes are killing me.

"Thank goodness you're not a guy," he laughs. "I've seen that Catfish show and for a moment I was nervous."

"I know what you mean," I smile. "I can't believe I'm here, though."

"Me too, darlin.'" Swoon. "But everything happens for a reason, right?" I  nod. He tells me more about himself and his interests. When he asks me  questions I answer each one and notice how attentive he is. He doesn't  interrupt when I talk and I can tell he's really listening. Sometimes  when I talk to people they'll have their cell phones out or be on the  computer. When that happens I know their attention isn't on me  regardless of how well they can multitask.

"I'd like to take you out to dinner, if you'd like. Tonight would be great. We can go to Umi for sushi and hibachi."

I think for a moment and look into those killer green eyes. It won't  hurt. We'll drive separately and it'll be fine. I'll be smart about  this.

"Dinner sounds great. I'll meet you at six."

"Sounds good, darlin.'"

We exchange numbers and I'm out the door to my car. Checking the time, I  see it's almost one and Will hasn't texted me. Thinking a shopping day  is in order, I send Jane a text and within minutes she agrees that a day  at Eastview mall is definitely needed.

I meet Jane at PF Changs and she shows me pictures of her adorable daughter, Avery.

"She looks just like Carter."

"I know," she beams, and shows me more pictures. "Honestly, she's my little love button. You should meet her soon."

"I'd love to. And if you ever need a babysitter, let me know."

Jane waves her hand. "We have one, but thank you so much."

"That's good. Maybe I can be the backup."

"You'll have to fight Troy for that title," she laughs, and orders a drink leaving me stunned.

Troy.

Troy babysits Avery.

This man used to be terrified of babies and never held a baby. One time  in health class he had a project to take care of a baby doll and made  his mom do it for him because he was too afraid.

"Miss, what can I get for you?"

"Oh!" I snap out of my daze. "Dirty martini please."

"Sure, right away."

"You okay there, sweets?"

"Yeah," I nod my head. "Just surprised Troy likes babies."

"Nope. Just Avery. He's her Godfather, and when they're together, it's  just adorable. I love seeing how happy she makes him. And thank God he  got rid of Andrea. That woman was a disease."

"Oh really? I only met her once."

Jane laughs, and covers her mouth with her napkin. "Well I feel sorry  for you. Anyone who meets her turns into a mega bitch. Now, I'm from the  South and I told her on several occasions, bless her heart. She thought  it was a compliment! I nearly died." Jane's southern accent comes out  and it's too cute. I love talking to people from the south. "Well like I  said, mind my manners, but thank the lord she's gone."

"How was their relationship?"

"Toxic," she quickly responds. "Troy doesn't believe in one-night stands  and casual sex. He's not like your brother or Sal." I roll my eyes when  she says Sal's name. He's a player with a capital P. Goodness, he  annoyed me so much on the boat. I nearly slapped him for talking so  much. When she compares Will to Sal it shocks me. Growing up he had  girlfriends, and when I saw them together he was respectful and he  didn't have a black book full of women. Honestly, I'm grossed out and  mad that my brother has sex with whomever and whenever he wants.   





 

"But I will say when we first met there was this sadness to him. He  never talked about it. It makes me happy knowing he has friends to turn  to. Over the years," she starts to say, and leans into her chair. She  fiddles with her fingers and I wonder what else she has to say. "I don't  know. It's like he's holding onto something and can't let go."

"Oh." That's all I can say.



I park my car in an empty space and check my phone to see if Reed's here.

Reed: Waiting for you, beautiful.



Cheesy, but okay it's cute.

Me: Coming in now.



Walking inside, I spot him at the bar. He's wearing nice fitted jeans, a  button down blue plaid shirt, and his hair is nicely done. Oh my. He's  sex on a stick.

"Well, don't you look amazing," he tells me and leans down to kiss my lips.

Nothing. No spark. Nothing.

I clear that out of my head. The day with Jane is still on my mind so  I'm not allowing myself to feel anything. Breathing in and out, I force  Troy out of my head so I can enjoy this evening with Reed. My very  handsome, and very single, date.

The hostess seats us with another group of people at the hibachi table  and Reed puts his arm behind me, keeping me close to his body. I like  how he'll converse with the other guests and turn to me. Quickly I send  Jessica an update.

Me: So far so good.



Jessica: YAY!



"I know I said this already, but you are gorgeous. I love the dress on you."

"Thanks," I smile and put my phone away

I open the menu to see what looks good. In the corner of my eye I see his menu unopened and he's looking on mine with me.

"The chicken hibachi sounds good. What do you think?"

I'm sick of chicken. Living with my health-freak brother is turning me  into an eating machine. "I'm thinking the lobster and shrimp hibachi."

Reed doesn't say anything and I hear him clear his throat. When the server comes to take our order, we're last to go.

"And for you, sir?"

"One chicken hibachi and my lovely date will have the lobster and shrimp hibachi."

"Sure, sure. No problem."

"What'd you end up doing after you left, sweetpea?"

Sweetpea? "I'm sorry what?"

"How was your day after you left Starbucks?"

"Oh good," I answer. I swear he better not call me that atrocious nickname again.

"After dinner we're going salsa dancing. Dave and Heather just invited  us." I look over and smile. They seem like a nice couple, but I'm not  interested. "I'm sorry, not tonight. I think after dinner I'm heading  home."

"And why's that?" Reed asks me.

"Long day. I also have to work tomorrow morning so I need my beauty sleep."

"Oh, sweetpea, you couldn't get any more beautiful." He kisses me again  on the lips, still nothing and I haven't thought of Troy.

When dinner's over and we get the check I notice the men are taking out  their credit cards, and Reed's talking away with Heather. Grabbing the  bill, I look it over and set it on the table. As I'm pulling out my card  I feel his hand grab my wrist.