“Yes ma’am.” I laughed.
“This guy is like a billionaire, girl, we need to make you super put together,” she said. “You could totally never want or need for anything in your life if you snag this guy.”
“I don’t care about his money,” I scoffed. “He could be poor, and if he was an amazing man, then I would be just as infatuated.”
“You are hopeless.” She laughed and shook her head.
“No, I’m a nice person,” I replied.
“And I’m not?”
“You are.” I laughed. “I just meant there are things that aren’t important to me that are to you, and it makes us look at relationships differently.”
“I also grew up poor, while you grew up with the family that you have,” she said. “We have two different viewpoints on things, but that’s good since you’re a mess when it comes to relationships.”
“Too true.” I laughed, closing up the office.
I was going to go and pick out a dress, but I didn’t want it to just be any dress. I wanted it to be the dress. I wanted to see Blaine’s jaw drop when I walked through the door. I didn’t know why I wanted him to see me as a beautiful woman, but I was going to look hot as hell.
Chapter 9
Blaine
All day, all I could think about was the date I had that night. I woke up early, earlier than usual, and paced the kitchen, playing out every scenario possible in my mind. Finally, after about an hour, I started to overwhelm myself, and I took a deep breath, deciding that a workout and then breakfast was my best option. I had installed a home gym a couple of years before, so working out was as simple as walking into the other room and jumping on the treadmill. I started out with a four-mile run and then moved over to the weight bench, feeling like I needed to really exert myself in order to feel better. By the time I was done, my arms were burning, but my mind had calmed. I jumped in the shower and washed the sweat from my body, making sure that I washed meticulously, just in case I was able to get Reese back to my place that night.
When I was done, I threw on some sweat pants and a t-shirt, clicking on the heat since it had gotten pretty cold outside and the penthouse was more than chilly. I cooked myself a healthy breakfast and then went about my day, forcing myself to do the normal work stuff I usually got done on the weekends from my home office. When it was time to start getting ready, my nerves reappeared, but I figured there was nothing that I could do about them at that point. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the mirror, putting the finishing touches on my suit and staring at myself.
If I stood there any longer, I was going to second-guess my choice of clothes, which was a strange feeling, considering I had been confident my entire life. I grabbed my overcoat and keys and headed out of the house, ready to get this date started. When the car pulled up in front of Tres Leche, Reese was standing at the archway to the restaurant, looking absolutely amazing.
Her dress was tight, hugging her curves all the way to just below her knees. It had a plunging neckline and a playful, but sexy, satin belt that tied into a bow at her side. Her hair was loose and curly, cascading over her shoulders, and she was standing in five-inch black heels, clutching a small black purse with her faux fur stole draped over her shoulders for warmth. She looked absolutely stunning, and it almost left me breathless, just watching her standing there.
I sat there for another moment trying to gather my thoughts, blown away by the beauty of this woman standing there waiting for me. Once I had gotten myself together, I stepped out of the car and onto the curb, straightening my jacket and smiling big at Reese. Her cheeks blushed, and she grasped her clutch tighter, turning her knuckles white. I walked over and leaned in, kissing her gently on the cheek and smelling the sweet scent of her perfume. She smelled like vanilla and lavender, and it made my heart beat faster. In fact, she looked so amazing that I couldn’t even start to think about taking her inside and not showing her off to the world.
“You look absolutely stunning,” I whispered.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling and blushing. “I hope I didn’t overdress.”
“No, and even if you did, I wouldn’t want you to change,” I said. “You left me breathless when I pulled up and saw you standing there.”
“You’re sweet,” she said, already relaxing a bit.
“In fact, and shoot me down if you aren’t into it, but I want to say screw dinner at this stuffy restaurant and let’s go out on the town,” I said, putting my arms out. “The night is young, and you look too stunning to sit in one place.”
“All right,” she said excitedly. “Let’s do it. We’ll have an adventure.”
“I love adventures,” I replied, hooking her arm into mine. “And I know just where to start.”
I led her back to the car and opened the door, smiling as she climbed inside. Once we were in, I gave the driver the address to the first place we were going, excited to have a date like this. I was never the kind of person to throw caution to the wind and just make it up as I went, but there was something about being with Reese that made it feel safe. I knew this city like the back of my hand, and I wanted to take her to the most exciting places, and all in one night.
We still needed to eat, since alcohol would be involved, but there was a much more exciting place than Tres Leche. I looked over at Reese and smiled, watching her look excitedly out the window as we passed by all the other people making their way through the streets. It was still early, and I had already worked out a plan in my head. I wanted to make her laugh, see her smile, and push her out of her comfort zones, giving her no choice but to look to me for support. I wanted her to lean on me, to open up to me, and to begin feeling more like we were a couple than two strangers getting to know each other. There was no better way than to dive straight in, and this adventure just might be one of the most important I had ever been on. This adventure might bring me the girl I never knew I was looking for.
We pulled up to a street corner and got out, looking across the street at a small café that had tables set up outside and heaters to nip the cold fall air. It wasn’t quite fall yet, but the weather had already turned, and that just meant I could pull her closer as the temperatures dropped. I took her hand and carefully crossed the street, signaling to the hostess that there would be two of us.
“So, we are starting our adventure at my favorite restaurant,” I said. “It isn’t fancy or expensive, but I have spent many hours here contemplating my life, decisions for business, and escaping the high-nosed stress of fine dining. It has really become a part of my history.”
She looked touched that I would bring her to my special dining spot, and in reality, I was struck by it as well, since I had never brought a date there. We ordered wine and ate and laughed as the sun began to set behind the buildings. Reese was enchanting in ways I had never seen in a woman, and I couldn’t wait to continue the evening. When we were done eating, I paid the bill and ushered her back to the car, giving my driver the address of the next place. It took about twenty minutes to get there, and I was surprised when she reached over and held my hand. When we pulled up out front, she tilted her head at me, surprised that we were standing in front of the wildlife building.
“I want you to meet someone,” I said. “We only have a few minutes because they close soon.”