“Damn, that’s some top-notch gentlemanly behavior, right there.”
“I gave him the condensed hot-mess express baggage my life consists of, and he told me my kids are not baggage, they are the best parts of me. Like, how does this man even exist?” I ask her.
“Damn. Sounds like a keeper.”
“He said he knows firsthand what it’s like growing up with a single mom, since that was his life. I don’t know, Harper, he almost seems too good to be true.”
“Just promise me you’ll go into tonight, and whatever else may come of this, with an open mind. Don’t let what Neil did cloud your judgment, and for the love of god, don’t compare the two. Let Garrett show you who he is and don’t automatically think he’s like Neil one bit. I’ve only been around the man for a few minutes, but I can tell you, my radar isn’t flashing with warning signs, they’re flashing big green go signs. He’s the real deal, babe, and I can only hope that he sweeps you off your feet.”
“He made a comment that he’s just a blue collar guy. Doesn’t have a ton of money to flash around, but he hopes to find a woman he can give all his love and unconditional support to. Like, how freaking swoony is that?” I tell her as I pull into my driveway.
“That’s it. Lock that man down now,” she instructs.
“Let me get through one dinner with him before you go marrying us off.” I laugh into the phone.
“Mark my words, Lacey, this man is going to be the one to show you what a real man is made of and how a real man treats a woman.”
“I hope you’re right,” I tell her. “Okay, I need to get into the shower, I’ll call or text you later.”
“You’d better. Even if it is just to tell me you’re alive and being spoiled with multiple orgasms.”
“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself. I don’t have sex on the first date.”
“You never know, this might be the time to change that.” She snickers into the receiver.
“Bye,” I say before ending the call.
I strip as I walk into the bathroom. I give the water a minute to heat up before I step under it. As much as I want to stand here and let the water work on my tight and tired muscles, I have a man waiting on me. The excitement bubbles up as I wash my hair and body. I quickly get out and dry off, wrapping my hair up in a towel while I go stare into my closet and try to pick out something to wear tonight. I have no idea what to put on. Do I go with a pair of jeans and nice top? Sun dress? Yoga pants and a sweatshirt? Gah! I’m clueless when it comes to this kind of thing.
“You’re not chickening out, are you?” Harper says in lieu of a greeting after answering the phone.
“No, but I have no idea what to wear. I’m in a towel standing in front of my closet with no clue what to pull out and put on.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t complain if you showed up in just the towel.”
“Not funny,” I deadpan. “Tell me what I should go with. Jeans and a nice top, dress, yoga pants?” I rattle off the options I considered already.
“Definitely no to the yoga pants, and since we don’t know where you’re going, I’d say go with the jeans and a nice top. You can dress it up by going with some heels or make it causal with some flats, your choice. Maybe toss on your jean jacket to give you an extra layer and some additional pockets.”
“Okay, that I can do,” I tell her as I pull out my favorite pair of jeans and thanking my lucky stars they made it in the wash this past weekend. I rummage through my nicer tops and finally decide on one that will pair nicely with the jacket and jeans. “I think I’ve got it all settled, I’ll text you a picture once I’m dressed and ready to go.”
“Sounds good! And remember to have a good time. Go with your gut. If you want to kiss him and he’s throwing out the same vibe, kiss the man. You deserve to be shown a good time.”
“Yeah yeah,” I say just to appease her and get her off the phone.
“None of that fake bullshit,” she chides before disconnecting.
I get dressed and make my way back into the bathroom. I glance at the clock to see what time it is, and I’ve already been gone for a half hour. I guess I’ll skip drying my hair all the way, just most of the way and pull some of it back and off of my face. That leaves me with a few minutes to apply some light makeup. I snap a full body picture and send it to Harper on my way out to my car.
Harper:Yes girl! You are smoking! He’s going to swallow his tongue once he sees you! Get it!
I toss my phone into my purse, which is seated on the passenger seat next to me. I don’t bother replying to her, not much I can say to her.
My nerves start to get the better of me the closer I get to the bakery. I calm them by taking a few deep breaths. It’s just dinner, nothing more, nothing I don’t want it to be. I’m in control and can set the pace.
6
GARRETT