Chapter Twelve
Savannah
My heart flutteredas I went through the clothes in my closet, trying to find something to wear.
Yesterday, after we ate dinner and Ava left, Rhys stayed behind and helped me wash dishes. Then we lounged on my sofa and I showed him some of my favorite television shows. He was still trying to figure out his new television and the streaming services I’d set up for him.
When it was ten, he declared it was time he went home. I walked him to the front door and he surprised me by lifting my chin with the side of his hand and placing a light kiss on my lips.
“Go to dinner with me tomorrow.”
It was an invitation, but not a request. I didn’t respond for a moment. I still wasn’t sure I was ready to open myself up to him again.
“Savannah,” he prompted, his face inches from mine. “Go to dinner with me.”
Again, it wasn’t a request. His voice had dropped, insistent and nearly a growl.
Deciding I liked this side of Rhys, I nodded as I looked up at him. His answering smile was crooked, a little cocky, and completely unfamiliar. He looked young and maybe even a bit dangerous. The combination was incredibly sexy.
“I’ll be here at seven,” he stated.
I watched him cross the street to his house and disappear inside before I shut my door. Then I looked at Satchel and clapped my hands in excitement. She jumped and stared at me irritably.
“Mommy has a date with her stupid hot neighbor tomorrow.” I thought about my words then. Maybe it was time to stop calling Rhys stupid hot. It sounded a little like I was calling him stupidandhot.
Satchel wandered over to the couch and leapt on top of it, settling down with her back to me. Apparently she didn’t share my excitement.
Today had flown by because I’d been working at the Bean. Ava offered to help me pick an outfit for tonight, but I had a feeling anything she chose would be more revealing than I was comfortable with. Plus I needed a little time alone before I went out to dinner. Restaurants were tricky for me. They were swarming with emotional ups and downs, couples and families that looked happy enough on the outside but were frustrated, angry, or sad on the inside. It was difficult to maintain my mental shields with so many feelings washing over me. Especially after I’d spent an entire day at work around other people.
I glanced at the clock and decided I was glad Ava had sent me home early. It was nearly six-thirty now and I was still struggling to decide what to wear. On one hand, I had several pretty, flowing maxi dresses that would be comfortable yet lovely for a first date. On the other, I had a flirty black dress that I hadn’t worn in years and had completely forgotten about until I’d found it shoved in the very back of my closet. The fit and flare style flattered my curvaceous figure without being too revealing, but it was by far the sexiest thing I owned. It showcased my breasts and legs while hiding what I considered to be my overly ample hips. It was the only piece of sexy clothing I owned and I was torn.
This dress didn’t say, “Let’s take things slowly.” It cried, “Look at me! I’m so sexy!”
Since I couldn’t choose, I opted to try on several before I decided, starting with the black dress. I shimmied into it and zipped it, smoothing the material down my hips. As soon as I turned toward the mirror, I knew this was what I was going to wear. The other dresses were pretty, but I wanted to look special on my first real date with Rhys.
Decision made, I slid my feet into my only pair of black pumps. I took a few experimental steps, happy that my ankles didn’t turn as I walked. I so rarely wore heels that it was a toss up if I would stroll gracefully or stumble around like a baby deer.
I took the time to touch up my lipstick and tuck a few essentials into a small red clutch. Satchel watched me from the center of my bed then meowed softly, as though she were pleased.
“Thanks, baby,” I replied, pretending that she was giving me a compliment rather than luxuriating in my bed.
The butterflies in my stomach intensified when my doorbell rang. I took a deep breath and checked my hair and dress one last time before I went to answer. I was glad I’d gone with the black dress when I saw what Rhys wore. Though we hadn’t spent a lot of time together, he usually dressed as though his clothing were an afterthought. Jeans, t-shirts, boots or sneakers, and that was it.
Tonight he wore a dark blue suit that seemed tailored to his frame, emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders and the length of his legs. The color of the suit also emphasized the blue of his eyes.
That thought gave me pause. The first time I met him, his eyes were black as pitch, with no color visible around his pupils. But every time I’d seen him after that they were blue.
I didn’t have time to consider that for long because Rhys said, “You look beautiful.” His eyes skimmed over me from head to toe and I felt my skin heat in their wake.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked.
I nodded and stepped out onto the porch, locking the door behind me. When I turned, Rhys reached out and took my hand. The skin of my palm warmed at the contact and I thanked him as he helped me into his SUV.
Once we were inside the vehicle and on our way, I asked, “So where are we going for dinner?”
“The Driskill Grill,” he replied.
