Maggie
Icouldn’t believe it.
It was him.
It was really him, and oh my land, he was just as handsome as I remembered.
And he couldn’t have shown up at a better time.
The cars were always something my ex took care of, and I would’ve been completely lost if he hadn’t shown up when he did.
He took care of everything. He got the name of a tow truck and had it towed to the garage, and if that wasn’t enough, he managed to get it done without costing me an arm and a leg.
He was my knight in shining armor, and he was smoking hot to boot.
My heart skipped a beat when his lips curved into a warm smile. There was no denying it. I was attracted to him, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he felt the same about me. Our little encounter had ignited something in us both, but neither of us seemed to know what to do about it.
After he made all the necessary phone calls, we stood in the kitchen in awkward silence until he announced, “I should go wait on the tow.”
“Oh, um… okay.” This was it. I was running out of time.
I needed to think of some way to see him again, and I needed to do it without sounding completely pathetic.
He’d just started for the door when I gathered the courage to say, “I really appreciate your help tonight. Why don’t you let me make you dinner as a way of thanking you. ”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Maybe not, but I’d like to.”
He studied me for a moment, then said, “You didn’t call.”
He was right.
I didn’t.
I’d considered it a hundred times since that night, but I couldn’t muster the courage to send a message or call.
I was too scared. Chad had really done a number on me.
Since my self-esteem was basically non-existent, I only seemed to feel worse after seeing what Keeley and Ryan went through.
I wasn’t sure my heart could take another hit, so I put my phone away and tried not to think about him.
It wasn’t easy. Our little encounter had left quite an impression on me, and I hoped there could be more. And now that he was standing in my kitchen, asking why I hadn’t called, I was feeling hopeful once again. "I wasn't sure if I should."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated."
"It doesn't have to be."
"Well, it's me we're talking about, and everything in my life is complicated. From kids to my ex to my work. It's all a hot mess."
"And you weren't ready for another complication."
"Something like that."
"And now?"
"Now, I'm not so sure."
His hazel eyes locked on mine as he said, "Well, if that's the case, I'll take you up on that dinner, and we'll see how things go from there. How does that sound?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
“Good deal.” He opened the door as he told me, "I’ll go see about the tow, and just message me about dinner.”
“Sure thing." He was just about to close the door when I said, "I'm really glad you stopped tonight."
"Best decision I've made in a while. Almost as good as going to that Star Wars marathon."
He gave me a playful wink, then closed the door, leaving me in a puddle of nerves and hormones. I'd done it. I'd made a date with him, and I couldn't have been more nervous and excited. I couldn't wait to tell the girls.
I didn’t want them to worry, so I sent them a quick message, letting them know that I was going to be late. I walked over to the window, hoping for one last look, but sadly, Ronin had already gone. Thankfully, it wouldn't be long before I saw him again.
The kids would be with their dad the following weekend, so it would be the perfect time to have him over.
I just had no idea what I would cook or wear.
The mere thought of it was enough to get my anxiety going.
I figured I could use a little advice from the girls, so I called an Uber and had him drive me straight to the restaurant.
Keeley had her mind set on getting out and about, so we decided to try out Danvers.
It was a sports bar where a lot of local guys liked to hang out, and rightly so.
There were flat-screen TVs mounted on nearly every inch of available wall space, each one tuned to a different game.
Men and women alike would gather around to watch their favorite team, filling the room with their cheers and groans as their teams gave it their all.
There were pool tables in the back with pendant lights hanging above, giving the space a more relaxed feel.
When I walked in, the roar of cheering from a couple of guys at the bar, the bright TV screens, and the various smells coming from the kitchen nearly put me in sensory overload.
I took a quick glance around and spotted Keeley and Ryan sitting in the back by the pool tables.
As I made my way over, I couldn’t help but notice all the empty tables and chairs.
Other than a few guys at the front bar, the place was basically dead. And Keeley didn’t look happy about it. In fact, she looked fit to be tied. I gave her an encouraging smile as I slipped into the booth next to her and asked, “How’s it going?”
“It’s whatever,” Ryan answered. “What about you? What happened to your car?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I’m pretty sure the alternator has gone out on it.”
“Alternator?” Ryan cocked her brow. “That’s a big word from someone who knows nothing about cars.”
“Yeah, well... the guy who stopped to help me was quite informative.”
“Oh, really?”
“Um-hmm.” I couldn’t hold back my smile as I told her, “He really came through for me tonight.”
“Do tell.”
“He checked everything over, and when he couldn’t fix it, he called me a tow truck. He even got a friend to help fix it without costing me an arm and a leg.”
“Sounds like he went above and beyond.”
“He most certainly did.”
Clearly uninterested in my car troubles, Keeley scanned the room and grumbled, “This place is an official snooze-fest.”
“Yeah, I noticed that. So, where is everybody?”
“Apparently, there’s a big basketball game at the high school tonight.” Ryan shrugged. “State playoffs or something.”
“Oh, I had no idea that was tonight.” I picked up a menu and quickly scanned it, hoping that something might draw my interest. “So, what are you guys having?”
“I just got an appetizer,” Keeley answered. “I’m not very hungry.”
“I got the burger and a beer, but the waitress is slow-moving. I’m not sure if she’ll ever make it back.”
The words had barely left her mouth when Flynn, the bar’s owner, came over to our table with a concerned expression. “I’m sorry to keep you ladies waiting, but our lead waitress called in sick today, and we’re doing our best to get caught up.”
“It’s fine. We don’t mind waiting.”
Flynn was young and handsome with an adorable smile.
Keeley and Ryan had mentioned many times that they’d found him attractive, but sadly, he was taken—very taken.
Lauren, his fiancé, was a regular at the shop and was a real beauty, so Keeley kept her flirting to a minimum as she smiled and replied, “But it would be great if we could get our drinks.”
“Absolutely. I’ll get right on it.”
Before he darted off, I asked, “Do you mind adding a soda to that order? I was running a little late myself tonight.”
“Sure thing!”
He gave a quick nod, then rushed over to the bar and got busy making our drinks. Ryan let out a little sigh as she grumbled, “Why do all the good ones have to be taken?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think there’s still some good ones out there.”
“Well, if you find one, feel free to send him my way.”
“I wouldn’t hold your breath.” Ryan leaned over to Keeley as she teased, “I have a feeling she’s already found one and is keeping him all to herself.”
“What in the world makes you say that?”
“I saw that spark in your eye when you talked about that guy who stopped tonight.” Her already raised brow inched even higher. “Something tells me you like this guy.”
I could feel my cheeks warm as they flushed with embarrassment. “Maybe a little.”
“And you’re just now telling us?” Keeley fussed.
“Well, I really haven’t had a chance. Besides, there’s not much to tell.”
“Oh, don’t you go holding back on us now,” Ryan pushed. “Tell us all about him.”
“That’s just it.” I waited as Flynn placed our drinks on the table, and as soon as he was gone, I added, “I don’t know anything about him. Not really.”
I left out a few minor details as I told them about how we’d crossed paths at the movies and how I was instantly enamored but feared I’d never see him again.
Both Ryan and Keeley seemed genuinely intrigued when I told them about him stopping to help me with the car.
Keeley’s brows furrowed as she asked, “So, he just showed up out of nowhere?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Hmmm.”
“What?” I pushed.
“Just seems a little odd that he, of all people, would show up out of the blue.”
“Wow.” Ryan rolled her eyes. “Bitter much?”
“It’s not like I don’t have my reasons to be.” Keeley gave Ryan a slight nudge. “And you should get it, too, especially after the way Tony’s been stringing you along.”
“About that...”
Ryan's eyes danced with excitement as she brought her left hand up to her cheek, revealing a stunning diamond engagement ring. Keeley’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she gasped, “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yep.” Ryan nodded with a smile. “He proposed last night!”
“Seriously?”
“I know. I was just as surprised as you are.” I could hear the excitement in her voice as she explained, “He had a feeling I was expecting it, so he held off until he knew I’d never expect it.”
“He did good!” I reached over and gave her a hug. “A surprise and an absolutely gorgeous ring. Can’t beat that!”
“She’s right. It's absolutely stunning!” Keeley leaned in and hugged her, too. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, guys. I’m really happy. Tony is the best, and I really love him. I can’t wait to spend my life with him.”
And just like that, my heart was filled with hope in a way I didn’t know I needed. Maybe, just maybe, my luck was changing, and I’d get my own chance at happiness. There was no way to be sure, but for the first time in a very long time, I was looking forward to finding out.