Chapter 11
Andrea checked her wristwatch after applying a little lipstick.
It was a few minutes until six-thirty. She took one last look at herself in the mirror.
Not too bad, if she said so herself. She wore a powder blue dress that reached to her ankles with a slit that ran up the side to just above her knee.
It had puffy shoulder sleeves with a wide collar that stopped just to the tops of the swells of her breasts.
It had been an impulsive buy a few years ago, and she’d never had much of an occasion to wear it.
It was flirty yet conservative. Dressed up and yet casual.
Her makeup had been artfully done to highlight her light brown eyes.
It was subtle, and it turned out quite well too.
She had decided to leave her hair down and curl the ends.
Andrea jumped when there was a knock on the front door, and her hands began to shake. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous. She’d eaten dinner with men before. It wasn’t legions like she had told Michael, but a few. She had nothing to be nervous about.
Andrea slipped her feet into her sandals and headed down the hall.
She wasn’t a fan of high heels. They made her feel off-balance and as if she was always going to fall.
There was one time she’d worn them back in her school days to a dance and rolled her ankle.
Her date had to take her home before they’d even made it into the gym; she’d rolled it in the parking lot. She’d never worn heels again.
Andrea opened the door and sucked in a breath at the dazzling figure in front of her.
Michael’s curly blond hair was swept back and to the side of his face, a stray curl falling over his forehead like Christopher Reeves as Superman’s did.
He wore a black dress shirt with the top button left open and snug-fitting jeans.
“Andrea,” he purred her name, making her think of all things carnal.
“Hi.” The word came out breathless, but she couldn’t help it. The man was gorgeous and had a way of short-circuiting her brain.
His eyes raked over her body. It felt like the touch of a lover as his gaze went from her toes to the top of her head. “You look incredible.”
“Thank you. You clean up well.” Seriously, that was all she could say. She had only her short-circuited brain to blame.
“Thank you.” He chuckled, not looking the least bit offended. “These are for you.” Michael pulled his hand out from behind his back and held up a small bouquet of flowers. They were lilac, carnations, and sweet pea.
“Thank you.” Andrea took them and brought them to her nose to take in their fragrant scent.
“I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t bring roses.”
“Not at all. I love these.” And she did. She much preferred these to roses. Roses were so cliché.
“Good, I saw them, but it didn’t feel right to buy them.”
“Why is that?” She found herself curious for his reasoning.
“I feel they are very typical when brought to a beautiful woman on a first date, and you are anything but typical. You also made it clear this wasn’t a date.”
“Very true, and I appreciate these more than roses. I’ll put these in some water before we go.”
“Am I allowed inside, or shall I wait on the porch?”
Andrea caught the twinkle in his eye. A few days ago, she hadn’t invited him in, stating only invited guests were allowed. “Yes, you’re allowed inside.”
Andrea walked into the house and headed straight for the kitchen. She pulled out a vase and filled it with water, her eyes watching Michael the whole time. His gaze scanned around the room, but he didn’t stop and linger for long before he joined her in the kitchen.
“You have a lovely home.”
“Thanks, though I imagine it’s similar to yours.”
“It is, except for the kitchen. This is incredible,” he said in awe, looking around the vas space.
Andrea felt her cheeks flush. “Thanks, I think it makes the house feel more open and brighter.” She spanned the flowers out in the vase and set them on the island behind the sink.
“That it does. But I’m not just talking the space. Your house feels like a home. Much like Maya’s. Mine just feels like a place.”
“You haven’t lived in it long. Give it a few years.” It had taken her a few years to really settle in.
“Or maybe I need a female to give it that feminine touch.”
Was he hinting at her to be that female? She hoped not. “We should get going.”
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t,” she rushed to assure him, though she wouldn’t look at him.
Michael came around the island and stopped in front of her. “You don’t have to lie.”
Andrea looked up into his face. He was too close. She didn’t like people invading her space.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“You’re standing too close.”
“Do I make you nervous?” His voice dropped an octave.
Andrea lifted her gaze to meet his, unflinching. “No, I just like my personal space.” She stepped around him to collect her purse from the stand next to the door and waited for him. Michael was only a few steps behind her.
Andrea had to remind herself that she’d only agreed to this so he would finally leave her alone. She couldn’t like him. Andrea hardened her heart and gritted her teeth, hoping the night would go by quickly.