“There. I’ve done the best I can with you,” Tanya says snootily, still bitter about earlier, I guess.
I look in the mirror and smile to myself. I feel beautiful right now. My hair is sleek and shiny, just like the dress I’m wearing. My makeup is subtle but sexy. If I saw myself on the street, I think I’d probably think I’m pretty. It’s a little harder to convince myself that I am when I’m living in my skin, but I think I’ve taken a step forward today, at least. I definitely feel better than I have in a long time.
I check my watch. It’s almost seven o’clock. I should go outside and wait for Tate, but I don’t want to look too eager. I grab my purse and a spare lipstick while Tanya watches me like I’m some sort of alien.
“This is a wind-up, right? You don’t really have a date?” she asks. I feel my phone buzz in my purse and I smile, knowing it must be Tate.
“Why not see for yourself, Tanya?”
She follows me out of my apartment and I lock up. I’m nervous, but I’m too excited to see Tate to let that bother me. I want this night to be one to remember.
Outside, Tate’s car is waiting for me. He gets out of the car and I almost gasp at how handsome he looks. He’s wearing a navy suit and a crisp white shirt, bringing a whole new meaning to tall, dark and handsome. He looks so damn good that I’m questioning all over again how he could possibly want me.
I feel suddenly terrified. What if he sees Tanya next to me and wants to take her out instead? What if he just felt sorry for me and that’s why he offered to take me out?
But as he walks toward me, he’s smiling.
When he reaches me he leans in and kisses my cheek. I feel an electric spark the moment his lips touch my skin. Beside me, he’s barely even noticed that Tanya is here.
What is going on?
“You look beautiful, Macy. I’m a lucky man,” he growls in my ear.
I blush, unable to speak, but I don’t need to. I look to my right and see that Tanya is absolutely astounded, with her mouth hanging open. Tate gives her a cold look. I’m sure he’s caught on to who she is and why she’s here. He doesn’t even say hello to her, just wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me away.
“Let’s go.”
I let him lead me to the car, and he opens the door for me. I slide inside without a glance back at Tanya. The shock on her face was priceless, and that’s how I want to leave her. She never expected anything of me, never thought I could be special, never had anything good to say about me. But now she’ll have something to talk about. Too bad I won’t be around to hear anything she has to say anymore.
Tate drives off with his hand on my thigh and I know that I have everything I need in the world right here.
CHAPTER SIX
Tate
“You alright? She wasn’t bothering you back there?” I ask Macy once we are comfortably away from her apartment. She turns to me with a small smile on her face.
“Never better.”
“You sure? That’s the girl who left you at the bar, right?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think she’ll be bothering me anymore. Did you see the look on her face? She was having a hard time believing I was going out on a date.”
I frown. “Why?”
Macy sighs. “I don’t know. I guess she thinks that I don’t have much to offer a man.”
“Well, she’s wrong,” I say curtly. “And a bad friend. You don’t need someone like her in your life.”
“You’re right, a hundred percent. I feel better already.”
I glance at Macy. She’s like a brand new woman today. Not just because she’s all dressed up, but it’s like she feels different about herself.
She seems more confident, happier. I like it. I squeeze her leg once, getting comfortable with her. I feel my cock harden at how soft her skin feels underneath my hand. Damn, it’s going to be hard getting through this meal without ripping her clothes off. But I want to get to know her better. It’s not just her body I’m desperate to know. Though it’s hard to concentrate on much else when she’s so close, the smell of her perfume wafting into my nose, her curves inviting me in…
I drive her into the city. I’m no millionaire, but I always knew exactly where I wanted to take my first ever date. Something classy and special. It’s not every day that someone catches my attention the way that Macy has. In fact, this is the first time ever. If things go my way, this is the only first date I’ll ever have. Because I have no intention of letting Macy slip away from me. She’s the woman I’ve always wanted, and having her with me tonight is a blessing I never thought I’d get to have. So, a special venue for a special woman.