Jalen looked down at the outfit she was wearing. She’d decided on a navy and white dress with a slit up the left side, along with a pair of white heels. “Thank you.”
“I take it he’s taking you somewhere nice by the way you’re dressed. So, bonus points to him.”
“We’re going toCasemia, but I’m meeting him there. He didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable with him picking me up.”
“Even more bonus points for him. I told the others that you had some things you needed to take care of tonight. But you know Mikal and Landon had a million and one questions.”
Jalen laughed. “I bet they did. They’re both so nosy.”
“True. However, Landon and Mikal are in our room right now. Landon is on the phone with that boy from school, and Mikal is eavesdropping. The twins are in their room having a tea party. So, now’s your chance to get out of here without the masses grilling you.”
“I shouldn’t be home too late.”
Kodi waved her off. “Take your time and have fun. We’ll be alright here.”
Grabbing her purse, Jalen exited the bedroom door. Stopping to kiss her little sister on the forehead and thank her. Kodi leaned down to make it easier for her. She knew that on a Friday night, most teenagers would go out, but Kodi had volunteered to stay home and watch their younger siblings. Even though Jalen told her that she would get a babysitter.
Going down the hallway, Jalen grabbed her keys off the hook and headed out of the front door. She checked the time once shewas in the car. It was going on six forty. They had a reservation for seven o’clock. She figured she had enough time to make it there if traffic wasn’t too bad.
As she drove towards the restaurant, she shook off some of her nervousness. She wasn’t normally a nervous person. However, she didn’t need a repeat of the things that happened on her last date.
Jalen pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant with five minutes to spare. They had a valet service, but she parked her own car. She was very finicky about whom she allowed to drive it.
When she approached the front door, she saw Rohan standing there waiting for her. Jalen stopped for a moment and looked him over. He was wearing navy slacks and a white button-up. She knew he was attractive, but she was reminded just how much so at that moment.
As he looked up and saw her, a smile spread across his face. He approached her, took her hand in his, and brought it to his lips to place a soft kiss on it.
“You look beautiful,” he complimented.
“Thank you,” she responded. “Are you spying on me?” she then questioned playfully, looking him up and down.
“Great minds think alike,” he told her. “Are you ready to go in?”
Jalen nodded at him, and with her hand still in his, he led her into the restaurant as an attendant opened the door. They approached the hostess at the stand.
“How can I help you?” she questioned.
“Reservation for Rohan Murphy.”
She looked over the list before grabbing two menus and asking them to follow her.
Once they were at the table, Rohan released her hand, pulling her chair out for her as the hostess placed their menus on the table.
Jalen had never been toCasemia; however, she had gotten food from there before during a dinner at the hospital. The tables were spaced out, and the lighting was soft. It gave a romantic feel. When she brought her attention back to the table, she found him looking at her.
“Would you mind if I ordered a bottle of wine?”
“Red wine?” she questioned with a scrunch of her nose.
Rohan chuckled. “I can order a bottle of white wine if you aren’t a fan of red.”
“Please,” she responded.
As the waitress came over with a pitcher of water, Jalen picked up the menu and looked it over. It didn’t take her long to decide that she wanted the grilled quail with asparagus and rosemary potatoes.
Placing her menu down, she picked up the glass of water in front of her and took a sip. When she placed the glass back down, she again found Rohan looking at her.
“Have I told you how gorgeous you look?”
