She finally let a smile break free. He knew he probably sounded over-eager, but he didn’t care. As long as she said yes. The feelings he had when he was around her were unfamiliar. Wanting to know her was the best way to explain it. All he could do was go home, get ready, and hope she didn’t stand him up.
MALLORY
Mallory walked in the door and went straight for her closet. Why she agreed to the date was beyond her. She thought about standing him up, but she’d never stop feeling guilty if she did something like that. After opening her closet, she selected a simple yellow wrap dress with a long black cardigan. She didn’t have much to wear as far as dates went, so that would have to do. After taking a final look in the mirror, she picked up her purse and walked back out the door before she changed her mind.
The restaurant wasn’t busy. It was early enough in the evening that they had beat the rush. She immediately spotted Christian sitting at a table. He stood and pulled out her chair as she approached. He had changed into black slacks and a black button-down shirt. He’d been attractive before, but her mouth went dry when she saw him dressed up.
“Mallory,” he greeted before placing a quick kiss on her cheek.
She nearly forgot how to speak. Heat spread across her face, starting with where he kissed her and moving its way over. “Christian.”
“I’m glad you showed up,” he said, his face displaying genuine relief.
She smiled at him, even though she felt slightly insulted by his words. Did he think she was the kind of person to stand him up? Sure, she considered it, but only for a brief moment.
“I wouldn’t do that. I said I’d come so here I am.”
His smile felt too familiar, and his eyes seemed to see deeper than the surface as he studied her. The familiarity was slightly unnerving, but she basked in the warmth of it. She didn’t need all the fingers of one hand to count how many times she’d laid eyes on him, but she felt as though she knew him.
“Tell me about yourself,” he requested.
She laughed. “That’s quite the open-ended question. For a second there I thought I was on a job interview.”
“I told you I wanted to know you.” He shrugged.
“Well, if we’re doing this, let’s do this. What do you want to know?” Mallory asked.
“I want to know everything.”
“Smart ass.” She forced herself into her outgoing persona. She wasn’t usually an outgoing person, but she was able to fake it for a while, when necessary. “Ask me a question and I’ll answer it. But you have to answer my questions too.”
“Okay. How did you get into phlebotomy? That should be an easy enough question.”
Mallory sat back and folded her arms. The question sounded simple enough. He had no idea about the circumstances surrounding her career change. The server showed up to take their drink order, allowing her some extra time consider her response. Christian ordered them a bottle of red wine before sending the man on his way, his eyes narrowed in obvious annoyance at the interruption.
“Well, after my live-in boyfriend of several years left, I needed to figure something out fast. Everyone knows the medical field is always growing. It was either CNA, EMT, or phlebotomy, and I don’t have the patience or bedside manner to be a CNA,” she explained.
“And EMS?”
She froze for a moment before she was able to shake it off. He wasn’t trying to make her feel uncomfortable. He just happened to stumble into two landmines in a row. She knew he hadn’t done it intentionally.
“You’re really bad at this,” she tried to joke.
He sat forward, his eyebrows drawn together in concern. “Did I ask something off limits?”
“Not on purpose, I’m sure. But finding a new career was during a traumatic time, and I have personal reasons for avoiding getting into EMS. The short version? My family is dysfunctional.”
Christian tilted his head back and laughed. The first time she saw him laugh freely was at her expense. Instead of being offended, she felt more at ease. She got the feeling he was a what you see is what you get kind of person, which was refreshing. Her own laughter bubbled out along with his.
“Really? I’m glad my fucked-up family is amusing,” she said with a laugh.
Christian composed himself just in time for the server to show up with their bottle of wine. He poured a small amount into Christian’s glass and waited for him to taste it. Christian gave him a nod and he filled both wine glasses before taking their order. Mallory was still feeling slightly off-kilter, so she was grateful when Christian ordered for them both.
“Everything is served family style. The baked ziti is really good. I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for us, but I wanted to get rid of that guy. He is really starting to piss me off the way he keeps showing up when we’re in the middle of talking.”
Mallory chuckled. Christian apparently had a bit of a short fuse. The fact that he didn’t hide it, and that it wasn’t directed at her in any way made her relax again still. She couldn’t explain her response to him. Her ex wasn’t good to her. His controlling behavior was the main reason she had been in such a bad situation when they broke up. He didn’t want her to have a demanding job or to be gone whenever he was home. Working at a school was the best way to ensure she would always be available to him.
“It’s literally his job, you know,” Mallory pointed out.
