The young man introduces himself as Jerry, and makes sure that the connectors work to plug in the RV before disappearing into the back of the restaurant with a friendly wave.
I sink down onto my dining table bench with my head spinning. I should be thinking about how fast I can fix myself up for a date. How I should do my hair. If I should look a little different when I meet Kai.
Instead, all I can think about is him calling ahead to have people prepare a space for me for the night. I can't think of the last time I felt so cared for and safe.
It's making me wonder if this dinner between two strangers is just a meal, or if it could have the potential to be an actual date that leads to something more.
I mean… I've already seen almost all of him when he was standing by the road in his underpants. With a vision likecircling in my mind, all I can think about is watching him strip down again, so I can admire him further.
That thought is extremely unlike me. But I’m on this road trip to discover who I am and what I want.
And Idefinitelywant Kai…even if it’s just for a night or two.
3
KAI
After checking on the listening station, I drive home, change into relaxed dress pants and a navy button-down shirt, then head to Jim's Pizza.
I've been coming here my entire life, and it’s not exactly a glamorous location for a date, but something told me Leah wouldn’t want to go anywhere fancy. Not that I really know anything about her yet. I'm just guessing from the comfy, homey style of her RV that she might prefer something casual, even though I'm at a place in my life where I could truly dazzle her. It's bizarre, having the means to do anything I want. With a couple of calls, I could have a chauffeur drive us to a private jet, and we could be eating pizza in Rome in a matter of hours.
Having that much money and success is, frankly, a head trip. So my brothers and I try to ignore it and focus instead on our side of the mountain.
I park in front of Jim's and wave to a few friends on the patio on my way to the back parking lot. Should I text first? Or just knock? I don't know the etiquette of picking someone up for a date from a camper.
Before I can decide, the door opens, and Leah steps out. As my grandpa occasionally says,holy crap on a cracker.
Leah looks stunning. Even better, her outfit says she’s viewing this as a real date. Her hair is tied half back in a braid to keep it out of her eyes, and she’s wearing a bit of soft makeup. Her dusty lavender dress looks comfortable and swirls around her calves, pulling my eyes to her little black ballerina flats. It’s nearly impossible to tear my gaze from her perfect wide hips, the dip at her waist, the curve of her lush breasts. She’s an hourglass goddess. An old school pinup, from the days when models had real asses.
Her lovely warm eyes lift to mine nervously. "You look ravishing," I breathe.
"Thank you," she whispers. Then she grins, taking half a step back to look me up and down. "Do you realize that in the span of just over an hour, I've seen you in four very different outfits?"
"Which one do you like best?” Before she can answer, I cross my fingers and look up at the sky. "Please let her say the underwear."
Leah's head tips back as her light, musical laughter spills through my soul. There's an aura of magic around her that I can't explain, let alone put into words. My arms slip around her automatically as if I've known her forever.
"I've never brought a date here," I murmur. "I've also never called a woman ravishing before. We’re in uncharted waters."
She smiles softly. "I trust you not to get us lost. Is it okay to ask how old you are?"
"Of course. I'm thirty-two. You?”
Leah nods. "I'm twenty-two. And I, umm, haven't really dated at all. That is…if this is really a date?"
"Yes. Of course it is. But how about we keep things super chill? Just dinner and conversation. Get to know each other. No pressure, no strings, just keep it mellow."
She sighs happily. “Cool. Perfect."
We walk into the restaurant, and Bianca hurries over to greet us. "Hey, Kai. Nice to meet you…Leah, right? Your table is right over here."
Leah’s eyes light up, pleased that I called ahead and gave them my date’s name. Note to self – keep remembering the details.
Most of the evening crowd are out on the newly expanded patio, but Bianca guides us to a romantic booth at the back corner. It’s the only table with candles, and a small flower arrangement.
After we're seated and I’ve ordered some wine, Leah turns to me, her eyebrow arched. "This is starting to look like aformaldate."
“Nah, they just know that this is my favorite booth." I point to one of the pale pink daisies. "And I'm really into flowers." I tip my head to the side, smiling. "Plus, I think the candlelight shows off my tan. Don't you agree?"
