15. Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Ryan
“I think that’s everything,” Jenna said, looking around her empty office.
I could not believe how quickly the two weeks had gone by. We had hired Jenna’s replacement, and she had already done an incredible job training her.
I had stayed late to help her move all of the rest of her things out of the office, and we were finishing up.
“Oh,” I said. “I need your key.”
“Yeah, I guess I can’t really keep that, can I?” she said, laughing as she took the key off of her keychain.
“No, that probably wouldn’t be a good policy.”
I took the key from her and put it in my pocket.
“Thank you for all of your help,” she said as we started walking out.
“It is my pleasure,” I said. “And before we leave the office I want to tell you one more time how much I have appreciated everything that you have done for this company. You have made all three branches so much stronger. I know that your replacement is very competent and you have done your best to train her, but I also know you are irreplaceable.”
“Thank you,” she answered, her eyes filling with tears. “I appreciate that, a lot. Thank you for allowing me to work here, and for all of your support and flexibility. I have truly enjoyed working here.”
We looked at each other and nodded, then went out into the parking lot.
I caught my breath as I realized how beautiful she looked in the evening light. Her skin was radiant, her eyes were sparkling, and she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
I realized that it was time to finally do something about all of the things I have been thinking and feeling over the last few months.
“So you are officially not an employee anymore, right?” I asked.
“That’s right,” she said, smiling.
“Okay, then. I have a question for you.”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to have dinner with me next Saturday evening? I would like to take you out on a date,” I said, my heart pounding.
Her face lit up, and she looked even more beautiful.
“Yes, I would love to,” she answered.
“Wonderful,” I said. I couldn’t stop smiling.
“I will ask my parents if they can watch Tyler,” she said.
“Okay, great,” I said.
I hoped that in the future there would be times when I could take both of them out to dinner, but for our first official date, I wanted it to be just the two of us. We had never let ourselves address all of the romantic tension that was there between us, and now that we were going to, I figured it wouldn’t be appropriate to have Tyler there. I could tell that she felt the same way.
“How about I pick you up at six?” I asked. “I was thinking we could get dinner and then go for a walk on the beach if you would like.”
“Oh, that sounds delightful,” she said.
“Indeed,” I said.
Jenna turned and looked at the office one last time. “You know, this place was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. It was perfect, but now it’s time to move on to other things.”
I nodded. “Exactly. It’s your time now. You showed up for your son. You did what you needed to do, and now it’s your time. You completely deserve all that is happening for you, and I know you’re going to be exceptional.”
Jenna beamed, and it was all I could do to not scoop her into my arms and kiss her. As much as I wanted to, I knew it wasn’t the right time or place.
“What are you doing tonight?” I asked, stepping back from her and deliberately changing the subject.
“I am going over to my parents house, and we are going to have a celebration dinner,” she said. “They have been watching Tyler for me this evening, and they’re making my favorite meal.”
“Oh, that’s awesome,” I said. “I bet your parents are so excited for you.”
“They are,” she said.
“It’s great that they are so supportive of you!””
“I know. I am so thankful. I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.”
I had met her parents at a baseball game just a couple of weeks earlier, and I had instantly liked them. She was a true combination of both of them. Her mom was very sweet and gentle, and her dad had a lot of energy and confidence. It was evident how much they cared for their daughter and how proud they were.
“What are they making for you?” I asked.
“Pot roast!” she said, excitedly. It has been my favorite from the time I was a little girl.”
“Yum! That’s one of my favorites, too.”
“Do you want to come too?” She asked, shyly.
“Are you sure?” I said. “I don’t want to intrude on your celebration.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding,” she said, blushing. “You would make it better.”
“In that case, I would be happy to.”
***
That night as I climbed into bed I couldn’t help but think about how wonderful the entire night had been.
Her parents had been kind and gracious, and it had been really fun celebrating her. Tyler was very excited that I was with them for dinner, and I loved it. I had been worried that it might be a bit awkward, but it wasn’t. It felt completely natural to be there, and I hadn’t wanted the evening to end.
As I turned on my side and tried to go to sleep, I couldn’t help but wish the time would speed up so that we could get to the next Saturday night.