Chapter Fifty One
Caroline
Our drive to the restaurant is… awkward.
You would think we would have lots to catch up on after drowning in baby blues for months, but somehow it’s as if this man didn’t watch me push a watermelon out of my cooch and we are on our first date.
I mean, in a way it’s kind of our first real date but like… with history?
I know why I’m nervous, but it seems like he is too… It’s starting to make me question my decisions. Is this a break up dinner? Okay, seriously Caroline? Reid would not do all of this just to leave you… But you know who would? Grant. Okay, now shut up and enjoy your evening.
Once we reach our destination, the host walks us back and seats us in a tiny corner booth with black leather seats and very dim lighting.
There’s faint piano music playing on the other side of the restaurant and a lot of interesting artwork on the walls.
“Wow, this is… fancy.” I say, placing my napkin in my lap.
“You don’t have to pretend you’re not used to these types of places. I know I’m just a small town boy with some animals, but I do know a thing or two about fine dining,” he quirks back.
“And you must not forget that there’s a reason I left all those big places behind and returned to my little animal loving Indiana boy.” I smile in defense.
“And I can’t thank God enough for bringing you back to me,” he says, extending his hand across the table to hold mine. “How are you feeling about a glass of wine tonight?” He winks.
“Gosh, I haven’t had a drink in over a year. But a nice chilled glass of white wine is sounding pretty delicious right about now.” My interest peaks, pushing aside the possibility of having to pump and dump tonight.
The waiter comes over and Reid orders us a bottle for the table, along with our ice waters.
He brings it back and pours us each a glass before placing the bottle in the middle and taking our orders.
It didn’t take us long to choose which carb we wanted and hand our menus back to him.
Admittedly, I searched the menu as soon as Reid told me where we were going.
“So I wanted to ask you something.” We both break the silence in unison. We pause and stare at each other… Well that was weird?
“Okay, you go first,” I tell him, still nervous to talk about the topic at the front of my mind but also eager to get it over with.
“No, no, I insist. You go ahead, please,” he responds.
I take a deep breath and reach into my purse to grab out the packet of documents.
“So, I didn’t just go get a pedicure yesterday…” He looks so lost, but he silently lets me continue. “I also went to the courthouse.” And now he’s even more puzzled. “For two things… First - my divorce is officially finalized,” I say, setting a packet of papers down on the table between us.
“Caroline, that's great!” I can see the worry fall off his shoulders. “It was that easy, huh?”
“Yeah, he pretty much let everything go without a fight. Turns out, he’ll do anything to avoid responsibility.” I shrug.
“And what’s the other thing? Aren’t you done now?” He inquires, seeing me dig for the next item out of my very full purse.
“Well, no…” And now we get to the interesting part. “I had to go pick up some of Chloe’s documents - new birth certificate, social security card, that type of stuff…”
“Okay?” he responds, unsure if I’m done or why I’m telling him this.
I pull out the last page from behind the others.
“And I wanted to ask if you would be interested in adopting Chloe.” God I hope he takes this the right way. When he doesn’t immediately respond, I start back tracking. “No pressure, of course. I just thought, maybe… we could officially be a family.”
“Caroline.” He stops my speed talking and reaches across the table to lace his fingers through mine.
“I am so honored that you would even ask me that.” I can feel both of our faces melting.
“I would absolutely love to adopt Chloe. I didn’t want to assume, but I will always love that girl as my own.
” Reid looks down at the paper I’ve placed in front of him.
Tears well up in my eyes and I swipe one away from the corner, unable to form words. I stuff the papers back in my bags to look over when we get home, I think he gets the point.
The waiter returns with our dishes, interrupting our moment.
“Anything else that I can get you two?” He asks after placing down our plates and smothering them in freshly grated parmesan cheese.
“No, this looks amazing, thank you,” Reid answers for us and I nod in agreement.
“Wow, this smells delicious,” I say, just staring at the saucy homemade noodles. “Oh! You said you had something to share as well. What was it?” I say, taking a bite and stuffing my face since I can’t wait another moment to try this food.
“It can wait until after we eat,” he responds, also shoveling food in his mouth. I shrug and assume that it was nothing important, just happy to eat some real food.