“Oh! It’s eleven o’ clock,” she exclaimed.
“Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin at midnight?” he teased.
“No. It’s just that I have never stayed up so long on a date before.” She remembered all those times her ‘dates’ had ended early – because neither of them could continue for the embarrassment.
“It doesn’t have to end. We just need to stop for bedtime and then pick up where we left tomorrow. Tomorrow’s Saturday. What do you say to a picnic in the park?”
She knew where he was heading. Loves walking in the park . . .
“Yes,” she said delightedly. She blinked, afraid to wake up from this dream. He was asking her for a second date! No one ever asked her for a second date!
“Good. I’ll drop you home and then pick you up tomorrow at ten. Or do you need more beauty sleep?”
“No! Ten is fine.”
“Great.”
He signaled the waiter for the bill. When it came, he paid with cash. She was amazed that the bill came up to several hundred dollars.
“That’s too much,” she said in dismay. No one had ever spent so much to be with her before and she was beginning to experience the pangs of guilt.
“Not at all. Family business, remember?”
Gallantly, he rose and pulled out her chair for her. She was so petrified that she would slip or knock over something and spoil this lovely evening. To her chagrin, she hadn’t even gone to the ladies’ at all. Lyla must be gnawing her fingernails off with curiosity.
But oh, she had so much to tell! And so much to look forward to!
*
Kyle drove a distinctive black Mustang. Jessica had never been in a Mustang before and she had to refrain from surreptitiously touching the gleaming wood paneled interiors and the leather seats.
On the way, she chatted to Kyle about her life in college, her professors and her subjects. He was always interested, never seeming to appear bored in what might seem a mundane life. He asked a lot of questions which indicated that he was clearly following her babble.
Jessica had never been so elated in all her life.
He stopped outside her college dorm and paused. She had no idea what to do. She had never gone so far on a date before. That very fact was extremely embarrassing.
Kyle was smiling. In the shadows thrown by the streetlamps, his profile was as well-cut as a coin’s. Jessica thought he resembled something from a more chivalrous age where women were celebrated for their femininity and beauty and considered precious beyond compare.
“We’re here,” he said.
“Yes, we are.” She hesitated. Would he kiss her? Or would he consider it too forward on a first date? Whatever it was, she couldn’t sit here the whole night. “Uh, I guess I better be going.”
“Wait,” he said.
He opened his car door and came around the side to open the passenger door for her. A delicious thrill coursed through her. She could live like this forever.
“My lady.” He smiled.
And yes, she could fall in love with him too. But I can’t! Not right now, when he could still dump her after the picnic.
He gave her his hand to help her out of the car. When she touched his flesh, tingles flowered in her palm. Gawd! It was all she could do to prevent herself from swooning. His face was very close to hers. He was very tall and she had to crane her neck upward to gaze at his face, shrouded in the half-light.
“Tomorrow,” he said.
“Tomorrow,” she breathed.
She wondered if he would kiss her. She had only been kissed by a boy once, and that was a middle school prank on chubby Ted Granger, who was promised a cheat copy of a Chemistry essay if he planted a kiss on her lips. Oh, oh, oh, but the air between Kyle and her crackled with electricity, and all her nerves were strained in anticipation. Will he? Won’t he? Will he? Won’t he?
He broke the spell.
“Goodnight, Jessica.” He smiled, and maybe it was the lack of light, but she thought he looked a little rueful.
“Goodnight, Kyle.”
He let go of her hand. Disappointment flooded her. Of course he won’t kiss you! It’s your first date! He’s not that kind of guy! And another unbidden thought. He doesn’t want to kiss you because he finds you unattractive. No, no, no, but then he wouldn’t be asking her out for a picnic!
She tried to stem the tide of old fears bubbling to the surface like gas, but you could never really turn your back on so many years of repressed memories and embedded shame.
He strode to his car. His eyes lingered on her face.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jessica. Don’t forget.”
As if she would! “I won’t. I’ll wait for you.”
He got into his car, still smiling, turned on his engine, and drove off. She watched his car disappear into the night.