But now as I shower, all I can think of are the nerves settling in my stomach. There’s no reason for me to be this nervous, but now knowing that my feelings for her are not long gone, I can’t stop it. Replaying the conversation with James, I’m frustrated that I hadn’t figured it out for myself sooner.
Getting out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist after drying off standing in front of the mirror and looking at my reflection. My green eyes stare back at me as if trying to unravel the mess I currently find myself in. Sighing, I slather my face with shaving cream and get to work.
It doesn’t take me long to shave my face and style my light brown hair before wandering into my bedroom and heading to the closet. I had been thinking about what I should wear tonight, but now I am not so certain. The restaurant that Mel has made reservations at is a classy place. I’ve only heard about it in connection with celebrities or famous people.
After a quick look in my closet, I pull out a black business suit and get dressed. I figure I can’t go wrong with a classic black suit and white shirt, choosing a dark red tie in honor of Valentine’s Day, and pull-on red socks before tying my dress shoes.
Stomach in knots, I stop and take one last look at myself before leaving the house.
Chapter 5
Melissa
I try not to let my sadness eat away at me while I get ready for dinner. All day at work, I was attempting to not to think of Kyle and how he broke my heart, but it was useless. We dated for six months, and that time together doesn’t just go away. I need to do what Christy said and forget all about him.
Wanting to look better than I feel, I spend extra time on my hair and makeup. Running my fingers through my now short hair—having chopped it off yesterday on a whim—I make sure it falls in just the right way. I needed some sort of change to signify that I am trying to move on with my life. Isn’t it a rite of passage? You get dumped, and you cut your hair, plain and simple. At least Kevin, my stylist, convinced me to not go platinum blond—even though I wanted to. Instead, it’s still my normal dark brown waves with honey highlights, but we chopped it short to below my chin and I love it. It’s fun and flirty and just what I need.
Glancing at the clock I check to make sure there’s plenty of time before Gabe arrives to pick me up. I texted him this morning to make sure that everything was still on and his simple “yes” had butterflies dancing in my stomach. I brushed it off as nerves and nothing more.
Although Gabe and I have been friends for a long time, we’ve never gone out to a romantic dinner together. There was a time when I wanted Gabe to be more, but that was a long time ago. I mean, the man isgorgeous.
Gabe is tall and muscular, not to mention those piercing green eyes. He’s the most selfless man I have ever met, spending the majority of his time helping others. His job as a firefighter is an extension of that selflessness. On his days off from the station, he runs around town helping people with tasks that they can’t do themselves. He can be seen as stoic, but I know a heart of gold lies in that sculpted chest of his.
Admiring myself in the mirror, I take one last glimpse at my outfit. The white tea-length cocktail dress fits like a glove. Its sweetheart neckline accentuates my breast, drawing the eye. The thin straps are each topped with a bow, and the bodice hugs my waist before billowing out to create a beautiful classic look. The white satin glows in the lighting of my bathroom while I check over my appearance, turning and looking over my shoulder to make sure everything fits just right.
Plopping myself down on the edge of my bed I grab my fire-engine red heels that I wore to the pole dancing class earlier this week. I bought these shoes specifically for this dress, and I’m going to wear them regardless of who is accompanying me to dinner. I feel classy, elegant, and sexy in this outfit and nothing is going to stop me.
It doesn’t take long before there’s a sharp knock on the door. Gabe has a key, but he’s too much of a gentleman to just let himself in. I wouldn’t mind—I’ve told him time and again that he can just walk right in—but Gabe never listens. He’ll do what he thinks is right no matter what.
Wandering down the hall of my small house, I unlocked the door and opened it with a flourish. “Well, hello handsome.” I make my voice low and sultry, hoping to get a chuckle out of him, but Gabe stands there, staring at me. He has a single red rose in his hand, looking delicious in a classic black suit. His wide green eyes rake up and down my body before settling on my face.
Why is there a sudden tingle in my chest from his perusal?
My arm, braced high up on the doorframe slowly lowers as Gabe and I lock eyes. Brown eyes meet green, emotions swirling in both as we continue to stare at one another, neither of us saying a word. After a moment, Gabe clears his throat, breaking the connection between us.
He holds out the rose, offering it to me. “I, um, got this for you.” Still reeling from whatever the hell just happened, I gently take the rose from him, stepping back to let him in the house.
Bringing the rose to my nose, I inhale deeply. “That‘s so sweet,” I sigh as I go to the kitchen, grabbing a vase from the cabinet and filling it with water. With my back to Gabe, I say, “You really do look handsome, you know? I think you should wear suits more often.” I turn around and wink at him, the corners of his mouth hinting at a smile. “Not that the firefighting getup isn’t appealing, but you in a suit…” I trail off, biting my lip and winking.
Gabe stands still as a statue in my living room watching me.This is strange. We normally have witty banter back and forth, each of us making fun jabs at the other, but Gabe isn’t playing with me today. I wonder if he had a rough shift?
Needing to change the subject, the atmosphere becoming almost unbearable—with what I don’t know—I ask, “Well, are you ready to go?”
Gabe seems to snap back into himself, blinking rapidly. “Yeah.” Perfect. I walk past him and grab my coat from the closet as he steps out onto my porch. I quickly flip the porch light on before closing and locking the door. We live in a smaller town and my house is surrounded by fields. I enjoy my space but with my closest neighbor on the other side of the field between our houses, I’m always making sure my doors are locked and secured.
I expect to see Gabe’s white truck sitting in the driveway, but instead, a black sedan is parked next to mine. “Whose car is this?” I ask. Gabe offers his arm, helping me down the steps and escorting me to the car before opening the passenger door for me.
“It’s Noah’s.” He explains. “I met him for lunch, and we traded vehicles. He needed to borrow the truck for something tomorrow.”
I situate myself in the leather seat of the car before he gently shuts the door and makes his way over to the driver’s side, those butterflies still dancing in my belly.
He gracefully slides behind the driver’s seat, starts the car, and heads down the driveway towards the interstate that leads to the city.
***
The restaurant is everything I’d hoped it would be and more. Our table is situated in the cozy dining area, the lighting soft and romantic. It’s bustling with movement as couples are being shown to their tables, people huddled close in private conversations, and soft laughter sprinkled throughout the restaurant.
Gabe’s a gentleman, politely waving off the host and holding my seat out for me. I can’t help but stare at him as he takes his seat across from me, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he does. Shaking my head as a lust for my best friend rises to the surface, my face heating as I watch him.
