Page 12 of Before We Were Us
“Too much?”
“I’m thinking it’s just the right amount.” She steps up to my side. “Very low cut in the front, showing off the perfect amount of cleavage, leaving him picturing what’s beneath but not giving it all away. And the length,” she nods, “he’s going to be spending the entire dinner imagining your legs wrapped around his waist.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’ve got a one-track mind?”
“Straight to the good stuff,” she beams. “S E X, in case you’re wondering.”
“Oh, I wasn’t wondering,” I say with a laugh. “But I can assure you there won’t be any S E X tonight.”
“If you say so,” she announces, walking out of the bathroom. “But that dress will definitely leave him wanting it,” she hollers out, making me laugh.
It’s been months since I’ve been on a date. Months since I felt this excited about spending more than an hour with a man. Don’t get me wrong I’ve flirted and laughed, but I don’t let it go beyond that point. I’ve kept the possibility of feeling anything beyond slightly interested at a distance. Because when I let my guard down and allow any man in, I continue to find myself in shitty situations.
I’ve had enough shitty relationship outcomes.
I should have said no.
I should have told Detective Steele thanks, but no thanks.
I should’ve made it clear from the start that I wasn’t interested.
But I am. Interested that is, and I hate that I’m interested. I hate that he makes my heart race with one glance, and damn his smile, it puts me in a trance every time. I don’t doubt that he has found his way out of many situations with that smile alone.
Dragging my lip gloss along my lower lip and then my top, I rub them together and give myself one last look over in the mirror.
Taylor is right, the dip in the front of my dress is dangerously low. With a little bit of tape I’ve ensured I remain covered.
The rose color of my dress shimmers in the LED lighting, and pops against my naturally colored tanned skin. I thank my mother every day for my complexion. I’ve matched it up with my strappy silver Jimmy Choos, and silver necklace with matching earrings. Choosing to leave my hair down, it falls over my shoulder and down my back in long ringlets curls. I give them one last shake and grab my handbag off the table as I pass it. Grabbing my keys, I blow Taylor a kiss and exit the apartment with more nervous energy than I put on display.
Once inside my car I turn up the radio. I pull out of the parking garage, turning in the direction of the restaurant.
Fifteen minutes later I am pulling into the valet lane. A young man opens my door, holding out his hand to help me out of my car. He can’t be more than twenty and I don’t miss the slow perusal he gives me.
“Here you go.” He offers me a ticket, smiling happily. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk toward the front doors of the restaurant but I don’t turn around. I tuck the ticket into my handbag then pin it beneath my arm.
Only a few steps away from the entrance, I see someone move out of the darkness and I pause. Detective Steele, wearing a pair of dark pants and a shirt, unbuttoned at the top giving a small tease of his fit physique beneath. A sport coat, unbuttoned and his strong shoulders and arms filling it out perfectly.
“I thought maybe you were standing me up.” When he smiles it sends chills over my shoulders and arms. He moves in closer standing before me, with his hands tucked into his pockets watching me with an intense look in his eyes.
“I thought about it,” I tease, making him chuckle.
“I’m sure you did.” Jensen inches closer, reaching out to place his hand on my elbow. Leaning in, he presses his lips to my cheek offering a sweet kiss. Pausing next to my ear he whispers softly, “You look incredible by the way,” before pulling away. His breath tickles my neck.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I declare, my hands shaking though I do my best to hide the fact.
Something passes between us, an unexplainable appreciation of one another.
“I must say, I’m glad you decided to show.” Sliding his hand around me he brings it to rest on my back as he starts to lead me inside. He smells amazing, and the feeling of his palm to my bare skin is so warm and somewhat calming. Which surprises me considering how nervous I was to even show up here.
“Good evening,” the hostess greets us as we enter. Instead of speaking I allow Jenson to lead.
“Reservation for two, under Steele.” She looks down at the book and I hide my smile. The thing is he didn’t even need to make a reservation, I've got a standing table here.
“Right this way.” She gathers two menus and leads us to a secluded table in the far corner and I find myself wondering if when he’d called in to reserve maybe he insisted on privacy. A mixture of excitement and nervous energy courses through me.
Jensen steps past the table pulling out a chair and guiding me to it, before pushing it in. Then he proceeds to the space opposite me and sits.
“Good evening.” The waitress I know as Matilda smiles at me before looking over at Jensen with a very pleased grin. “I’m Matilda and will be here to help you, what can I offer the two of you to drink?” When she asks this she shifts her attention back to me.