Chapter 43
“Dude, relax. You’ve known her most of your life and you’ve seen or talked to her every day for the last two weeks. You have nothing to worry about.” Jack tried to calm me down as I paced.
But I wasn’t worried about taking Emily out, despite this being my first first-date in fourteen years. It was because this wasn’t just any first date, it was with Emily and I was already thinking about a future with her. A future that included me being terrified I”d lose her.
I suspected Jack knew as much, but he didn’t bring it up.
“You look great, Jamie, you’re almost as handsome as my Prince Charming.”
High praise coming from Meg.
“Thanks.” I looked at my watch. “I should get going.”
I stopped at the florist and picked up two bouquets of flowers. One was a dozen yellow roses with baby’s breath, the other pink and purple tulips.
I’d given myself plenty of time to visit Isabelle before picking up Emily. “Tonight’s the night. How do I look?” I asked as I placed the tulips in front of her headstone. I’d visited a lot in the last two weeks, because talking to Isabelle helped me get past feeling like I was betraying her memory. Everyone told me I wasn’t, but the only voice I needed to hear was hers. And while I didn’t believe in ghosts, I’d swear I felt her presence whenever I talked to her.
After a few minutes of serene silence, I said goodbye and left for my date with Emily.
I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants after ringing the doorbell.
“Good evening, Mr. Taylor.” He’d told me to call him Chris, and I’d been getting used to it, but this felt like a Mr. Taylor moment.
“Good evening, Jamie.” He echoed my formality as he swung the door open. “Please, come in. Emily will be down in a minute.”
“Thanks. How are you doing?” The only physical evidence of that night was the half-healed cut on his forehead.
“Can’t complain.”
I thought I was hiding my nerves well until he smiled and said, “Relax, Jamie. I don’t bite.”
I smiled as my shoulders relaxed. It was exactly what I’d needed to hear to stop acting like a stranger in the home I’d been visiting my whole life. I was about to thank him, but I heard footsteps at the top of the stairs and instinctively turned towards the sound.
Time stopped.
Emily was gliding down the stairs in a simple low cut blue dress that clung to her curves. I’ll never think of her in pigtails and braces ever again. Her hair framed her face in soft curls and she’d put on a little makeup. Not that she needed it; she was perfect just the way she was.
“Breathe, son.” Mr. Taylor said as he patted me on the back.
I nodded, sucked in some air, and took the three steps required for me to reach the bottom of the stairs. “You look…” I struggled to find the right word and settled for, “amazing.”
Ashley said, “Told you so.”
At the same time Emily said, “Thank you.”
Holy shit. I’d been so mesmerized by Emily that I hadn’t even noticed Ashley, or Mrs. Taylor, on the stairs behind her.
I held out my hand and helped Emily down the last step, then handed her the bouquet. She held them to her nose and inhaled. “How’d you know they’re my favorite?”
“A little birdie told me.” I winked at her mom.
“Thank you.” She handed them to her mom and asked, “Can you put these in water for me?”
I expected it to be awkward, being our first date and all, but we quickly settled into comfortable conversation as I drove to Dallas. I’d made reservations at an upscale restaurant recommended by a friend. We were about halfway there when I reached over and placed my hand over hers. I couldn’t hold back my big stupid grin when she turned her hand over and laced her soft fingers with mine.
We arrived at the restaurant a little early, so we sat at the bar to wait. They had my favorite local craft beer on tap, so I planned on ordering one, but first I asked Emily what she wanted. Her voice was small and timid as she said she’d have whatever I was having.
I placed my hand over hers to stop her from playing with her thumb ring. “Em, order whatever you’d like.” Then I added, “Please.” Because it was a request, not an order.
Whenever she slipped back into who she’d been with Craig, who he forced her to be, I’d remind myself to be patient while she learned to find her voice again. I can wait, I’ve got all the time in the world. And I meant it too—I’d wait for as long as it took. Though hopefully it wouldn’t take too long because I’d had glimpses of the strong, feisty, silly Emily and I wanted more.
“Thank you.” Her smile lit up the room, “I’ll have a glass of sparkling rosé.”
“You got it.” I turned to the bartender. “A sparkling rosé for the lady, and an IPA for me.”
After the bartender delivered our drinks, I lifted my pint glass. “To our first date.”
“Cheers.” She gently tapped her wineglass to mine.