Chapter 10
The Date
Chapter Ten
Ella
“Well, did he make the shot? Did you guys win?”
Jeremy shakes his head. “Absolutely not. He threw the ball over the backboard. We lost the championship game by one point.”
I cover my mouth as I laugh heartily. Before this date, I was so nervous. But I must admit, Jeremy is a great guy. So far tonight, he’s held doors, pulled out my chair, made me laugh non-stop, and listened intently when I talked. The man checked off all my boxes. Add to that, he is very attractive.
“Aww,” I chuckle. “Poor Ricky.”
He waved his hand through the air. “More like poor me. That kid has thick skin. The next season, he was back talking noise before every game. He didn’t learn his lesson.”
We both laugh until it fades. Picking up my glass of wine, I take a sip. Jeremy watches the glass go to mouth, his lip slips between his teeth as if he likes what he sees. Just the way this man has respectfully checked me out all night has made me feel absolutely gorgeous.
“What?” I ask when he continues to just stare at me.
He lets out a low laugh. “Can I be honest?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’m trying to find your flaw.”
This makes my brows bunch. I place the glass down on the table.
“Excuse me?”
He quickly waved his hand. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, you’re so freaking gorgeous, you’re funny, you have your own job and you say you can cook. I'm trying to figure out how a man could let you slip through his fingers.”
His words properly heated my face, turning my anger to a blush.
I shrug, glancing down at my empty plate. “It happens.”
“Hey, I didn’t say that to bring the mood down.” He reaches across the table, placing a hand over mine. I look up into his eyes. “I’ve been on a lot of first dates, Ella. This is by far my absolute favorite one. And that’s the truth.”
His words bring me comfort. It’s good to know he’s enjoying my company just as much as I’m enjoying his.
“I haven’t been on many dates,” I admit. “But this one is my most memorable.”
If this is what getting back into the dating world is like, I should’ve done it sooner. I can’t believe I got lucky enough to find the perfect guy on my first date.
“How about we leave here and head to the lounge? You’re going to love the place. They have the best live band.”
We summon the server over, pay for our meal, and leave a tip. The jazz lounge is within walking distance, so we opted to walk.
Two hours later, we left the lounge hand in hand.
“That guy on the saxophone was so good. I could listen to him play all day.”
“I told you,” Jeremy says with a smile. “That’s my favorite spot to visit. Every weekend they have live music.”
We stop at my SUV, facing each other. This night has been outstanding. Great vibes and amazing company. I’ve laughed, had great conversations, and genuinely enjoyed myself. I couldn’t wait to tell the book club ladies about this date.
Jeremy steps closer to me, his six-foot height dwarfing mine.
“I had a really good time with you, Ella.”
“Same.”
“It’s been so good, I don’t want it to end. I want to ask you back to my place for wine and a movie, but you don’t seem like the type to go for that on the first date.”
I’ll admit, I liked Jeremy. He was charming, funny, and a gentleman. But he’s right. I was not that type.
I chuckle, glancing at my feet before looking back at him. “You are correct.”
He laughs heartily. “Can you blame a man for trying?”
I shake my head and join in his laughter.
“Is now a good time to ask for that second date?” I don’t miss the hopeful tone in his voice.
“That would be nice. I’d love that.”
His grin spread wider, showing off his teeth.
“I’ll call you next week when I have something more locked down. Good night, Ella.” He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek.
For a split second, I wished he had kissed my lips.
It has been so long since I’ve had a real kiss.
Andrew and I had settled on just quick pecks.
His lips would barely touch mine before pulling away.
I can’t tell you the last time we made out in that way where our tongues entwined with each other, not even during sex.
I quickly shake those thoughts away. Even though I’ve enjoyed Jeremy, there was no way I was ready to be making out with him.
“Well, goodnight, Jeremy.”
After opening my car door, I climb inside.
Jeremy politely watches me until I back out of the driveway and pull out.
The moment I get a block away from the restaurant, my car speaker rings, letting me know I have an incoming call.
I don’t even have to check to see who is calling.
Only one person was watching my location.
Pushing the hands-free option on my steering wheel, I answered the phone. “Well, hello, Jada.”
Her laughter comes through the speaker. “I have Pam on the line, too.”
“Hey El,” Pam sings. “How was it?”
I knew that’s what they were calling for. I loved the fact that my girls were so invested in me dating again.
I let out a breath, my face aching from the enormous smile that broke free.
“It was amazing.”
“Oh, do tell,” Jada hums.
“Jeremy was the perfect gentleman.” I quickly ran down all the highlights of the date, from the moment he first laid eyes on me and smiled brightly, to the kiss on the cheek by my car.
“Well, alright, Mr. G-Mobile manager,” Jada sings. “He came out with the big guns.”
“Destiny wants me to tell you she’s so glad your first date went well,” Pamela says. “She’s texting me to get all the information.”
I chuckle through the phone.
“Guys, I can’t believe I was worried about this dating thing. He even asked me for a second date already.”
“That’s so good,” Pam cheers. “The next date you should definitely wear the red wrap dress.”
I hadn’t even thought of my next outfit yet. That red dress was stunning on me.
“Well, hold on,” Jada says, getting my attention. “I don’t know. He seems too perfect. You know how these men are. They show you what you want to see, and then when you let your guard down, they turn out to be crazy. Don’t put all your eggs in that one basket. Let’s go on a date with someone else.”
“Jada,” Pam says in a warning tone.
I never thought that Jeremey could be putting on a show for me. He seemed so authentic. Was I being na?ve? Did I miss something?
“Ella, I can hear you overthinking from here,” Pamela states. “Although Jada has a point, we don’t know if Jeremy is like that. He could be a genuinely good person.... don’t say anything, Jada.”
I laugh because, without even waiting for her to speak, Pamela and I both knew she was gearing up to say something.
Jada gasps. “Ya’ll swear ya’ll know me. I wasn’t going to say anything about how men ain’t shit and there is no such thing as a genuinely good one.”
Pam and I both let out a deep laugh. I pull into my driveway and park my car. Switching the call from the car over to my phone, I placed the device to my ear before climbing out.
“Kyra wants us all to have lunch at Maureen’s tomorrow so she can get all the date details.”
“I’m free for lunch,” I say in reply to Pamela.
“Me too,” Jada says. “Tell her it’s set.”
“Alright ladies, I’m home now. Thanks for checking on me.”
“Girl. You don’t have to thank us. See you tomorrow,” Pam says.
“Exactly. No need to thank us. See you tomorrow.”
I hang up the phone with both women and then make my way up the driveway toward my porch.
“So this is where you live?”
I turn around suddenly at the sound of a male voice.
Climbing out of his car is Jeremy. My head spins and the alarm bells go off.
“Jeremy, what are you doing here?” I scan around, hoping to find a neighbor outside. Mitch’s truck is in his driveway, but I’m sure he’s in his home, probably in his garage working on a project.
Jeremy walks up closer to me. I take a step up onto the bottom step of my front porch.
“I wouldn’t be a real man if I didn’t make sure my date made it home safely.”
The scary part is that he thought he was being enduring in this situation. He could have called or texted for that.
“I could have called and told you that.”
He stops in front of my stairs, his dark eyes staring at me with a smile planted on his face. With me being slightly elevated on the bottom step, he and I are at eye level. For about five seconds, he just stared. Eventually he chuckles, running a hand down the back of his neck.
“You got me,” he says it jokingly. “Something told me you wanted to spend a little more time with me. I know you were just trying to play the good girl, but it’s okay. I won’t judge.”
He takes another step toward me. I moved up the stairs until I’m planted on the porch. From this angle, he is below me on the ground.
“You need to leave.”
He chuckles. “Come on, Ella.” He tries to move up the stairs again, but I put out a hand to stop him.
“No, Jeremy, you need to leave. This is not okay.”
The smile on his face falls, and it completely transforms him. The gentle, kind man I’ve been staring at all night is long gone. Now staring back at me is a scowling, deranged lunatic.
He shakes his head. “It’s always one of you bitches that tries to play hard to get.”
“You bitches?” My brain knows not to engage this man. This lunatic followed me home from a date. Clearly, his screws are loose. But how dare he call me out of my name?
“Yeah, you fucking fat bitches with all the mileage and baggage trying to act like you're special. All the other ones were glad someone like me gave them some attention. I’m single, with a good job and no fucking kids. You think I’d really go for someone like you?
I mean, you’re cute and all, but let’s be real.
” He shakes his head. “Now, I put the time in, I took you on a date and pretended to be interested. You owe me.”
His words feel like knives stabbing into me. Everyone of them opening up a wound in my insecurities.
He charged up the stairs and grabbed me. I try to yank away from him.
“Let me go.”
“Shut the fuck up,” he growls right before he’s ripped away from me.