“Grandma, I left a note by your chair where I’ll be and the number to the restaurant. If you can’t reach me on my cell phone, call the restaurant.” Destiny took one last look in the mirror before turning to face her grandma. “What?” She asked when grandma just kept staring at her with an unreadable expression on her face.
“You do know I survived famine, world wars, child birth, and still run my own company. I think I can take care of myself for a night.”
This was an age-old argument. The woman thought she was impervious to everything. Had survived everything. Had seen everything. “I know that. I was just letting you know where I’ll be.” Okay, she was nervous and excited. She and Mike were finally going on a date. This wasn’t just making dinner at one of their places and hanging out on the couch. They were going to dinner and who knew what after. Hopefully they’d finally be able to kiss. The suspense was killing her. If something else stopped them, she might scream or commit bloody murder.
Her grandma wrapped her arms around her shoulders, smiling warmly at her. “You look beautiful. Stop fidgeting and worrying.” She was fidgeting? She hadn’t noticed.
“I’m not. I’m fine.”
Her grandma just chuckled. “I’m so glad you finally took my advice. Putting that poor boy out of his misery and asking him out. I love him dearly, but he is terribly shy. I feared I’d have to do something drastic to get you two together.”
“Something like turn him into a fake fiancé?” She gave her grandma a wry look in the mirror.
Her grandma just smiled. “It worked didn’t it.”
It had. It gave her the push she needed. If she had been waiting for Mike to ask her out, she’d be just as old as Grandma. Destiny wasn’t that patient. Two months was long enough. “I know you thought he was interested, but I didn’t see it until today. I know, dense. After that I didn’t want to wait anymore so I did what you would do. Grabbed life by the horns and went for it.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Her grandma hugged her again.
“Grandma, how did you know Mike liked me when I didn’t even see it. As you pointed out, he’s terribly shy.” It wasn’t a bad thing. Now that she was learning what to look for, he was much easier to read.
“Your grandfather, bless his soul, was the same way. I know the signs. I’ve gotten really good at learning to read people over the years.” She leaned closer and whispered. “Besides, Mike is always watching you when he thinks you’re not looking.”
He was?
“Oh,” was all she could think to say. “Oh,” she said again, jumping when there was a knock on the door. “That must be Mike.” She asked him to meet her at Grandma’s so they could walk to the restaurant. Grandma helped pick it out and make the reservations.
“I’d say good luck, but I know you don’t need it.” Her grandma winked, making Destiny turn two shades of pink.
“Thanks, Grandma.” Destiny hugged her and all but ran out of the room to answer the door.
Mike stood in her doorway wearing another button up shirt, this time charcoal grey, and blue jeans. His gaze raking from her heeled toes to her plunging neck line then finally her face.
“Hi, you—”
Destiny didn’t waste another second, lest something else should happen. Who knew what would come next. Earthquake, rabid dogs. So she launched herself into his arms and kissed him.
Mike stood frozen with her in his arms. His lips unmoving against hers. Had she made a mistake? She thought she read his signals right finally. As she started to pull back, he finally responded. His lips she had dreamed about for the past two months softened against hers, moving against them restlessly. His tongued darted out and found hers in seconds. Destiny growled against his mouth pressing closer to him, not wanting any space. Mike was on the same page. A hand clamped on the back of her head pulling her closer. If she wasn’t wearing a dress, she’d wrap her legs around Mike’s waist and cling to him like a monkey on a tree. Her grandma would definitely frown upon that.
Destiny finally pulled back, knowing if she didn’t stop now they’d never stop, and in the doorway of her grandma’s condo was the last place she wanted to do that. Mike’s hands tightened around her before gently setting her back on her feet. “Wow,” was all she could think to say. That had been well worth the wait.
“Wow, indeed.”
“Sorry I came at you like that,” she said awkwardly, feeling the need to fill in the silence.
Shup up.
“I’m not complaining.” He winked at her.
Was Mike okay? She’d never seen him do that before. “We should go. Bye, Grandma.” She called over her shoulder hoping her grandma wasn’t standing right there.
“Good night.” Her voice sounded faint, like she was still in her bedroom.
“The restaurant is just down the street, I figured we can walk there.”
“Sounds good.” With a twinkle in his eyes and pinched lips like he was holding back a laugh, it made her want to smack herself in the head. He already knew this. Ugh, she was such an idiot.
She really needed to stop trying to fill in silences. It made her a babbling idiot.
