Then, there was the brownie. She had been shy, which wasn't necessarily a problem, but she also flinched any time he spoke.
He was a big guy and a troll, his voice was deep and resonate. There was nothing he could do about it. Even when he tried to speak softly, it was like a distant boom of thunder. At least that's what his mom said. Though she meant it as a compliment. He hoped.
So much for Dominique's reassurance that she would find the right female for him.
He would go on this date and one more if necessary and that would fulfill his promise to both his mother and Dominique. He'd tried and it hadn't worked out. Neither woman could claim otherwise.
Clay arrived at the restaurant early and requested a booth at the back, explaining that his date would arrive later. He sat facing the door. He wanted to have a chance to see her before she got a look at him.
He ordered a pint of beer and looked around while he waited on it.
Then, she walked in and he felt like he'd been hit in the head with one of his mallets.
She was short, as short as the sprite, but she held her head high and walked with her shoulders back. The coat she wore hid her figure, but she seemed slight. Her hair was black and spiked around her face in a casually messy style. Her skin was pale, except for her cheeks. They were rosy from the cool night air.
He didn't even notice when the waiter returned with his beer because he couldn't take his eyes off her.
He knew she was his date. There was no way she was a human woman. There was an ethereal quality about her, almost otherworldly.
Sure enough, she stopped at the hostess station and spoke with the woman there. The hostess immediately started to lead her back to his table.
To him.
As they drew closer, he saw that her eyes were deep, dark blue, just like the highlights in her black hair.
He couldn't tear his gaze away from her.
She stopped beside the table, her eyes on his. She didn't smile, but she did seem curious.
"Hi. Are you Clay?"
Remembering his manners, he got to his feet. "Yes. Are you Dylan?"
She nodded and held out her hand, her expression solemn as she stared up at him. "Nice to meet you."
Suddenly, he was very aware of how big and rough his hands were. He tried to keep his hold gentle as he took her fingers in his, but she gripped his hand firmly and gave it a single shake.
Her irises had little silver flakes in them and they seemed to sparkle every time she blinked.
He realized he was staring at her in silence and managed to reply, "It's nice to meet you, too. Please have a seat."
She removed her hand from his, took off her coat, and slid into the other side of the booth. Before he could say anything else, the waiter arrived to ask her what she'd like to drink. He knew it was rude, but he couldn't stop staring at her as she spoke to the waiter. Now that she’d removed her coat, he could see that she was curvy in all the right places.
Until the waiter asked, "All on one check?"
Before Clay could confirm that, Dylan shook her head. "Two tickets, please."
The waiter nodded and walked away.
"You have a problem with me paying?" Clay asked.
Dylan looked at him, her gaze oddly piercing. "I prefer to pay for my own meals the first few dates."
He shifted in his seat. "But why?"
She cocked her head and studied him. "How long have you been using a dating service?"
"About three weeks. Why?"
