“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I winked. I took a deep breath in her absence, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.
When she came back out, I extended my arm for her to grab and said, “Shall we?”
“I feel like I’m in regency times with how you’re guiding me.”
“At your service, my lady,” I said with a bow as I opened the passenger side door of my truck.
She smiled and leaned in toward me. “Why, thank you, my lord.”
We both burst out laughing as I closed her door and walked around the truck, scooting into the driver’s side. I was still surprised by how easy she was to talk to and be around—like old friends catching up.
I pulled out my phone. “What music are you into?”
“I like almost everything—surprise me.”
“How do you feel about pop-punk?” I asked nervously. But when I looked over at Serenity, she sat up in her seat with a huge grin on her face. I couldn’t help but smile along. “I take it you like it?”
“It was my favorite genre growing up in middle and high school.”
“Perfect, then I have a band for you. They’re called 408,and they combine 2000s pop-punk vibes with modern pop and hip hop. They have practically been on repeat.” I chose a song I thought she would like, entered the address for the steakhouse, and we were off on our first date of what I hoped were many.
TEN
PRESENT
On the way to the restaurant, we listened to music in comfortable silence. When I glanced over to look at her at a stoplight, she was bobbing her shoulders along to the music and trying to sing the words even though she didn’t know any of them. I sat and stared in awe until I heard a honk from the car behind me. Apparently, the light had turned green, and I sat there admiring the pretty girl in my passenger seat.
“You’re kind of cute,” I said, returning my attention to the road.
“Just kind of? I'd better step up my cute game.” She laughed and danced more animatedly. I couldn’t help but join.
Soon, we pulled into the parking lot of the steakhouse. She proceeded to grab the door handle to let herself out, so I exited the truck quickly and ran around to her door to assist. “A true gentleman, or you’re trying to impress me.”
“It’s probably a little bit of both.” I smiled and put my arm out again for her to grab as we walked into the restaurant.
“You only do the arm thing so I could feel how buff you are, huh?”
I couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped. I do obsessively work out, but it has never been about my body image; more about channeling my negative emotions.
“Am I?” I said with a sly smile. She rolled her eyes.
I pulled out the chair for her to sit. “How do you feel about filet mignon?” I asked, taking my seat. “I heard this place has some of the best in town.”
“That sounds perfect, but we need to discuss how we're splitting the bill because I don't want to come off as someone who makes the guy buy her an expensive meal on the first date,” she said, before looking away shyly.
“I wouldn’t say I’m old-fashioned per se, but when you’re out with me, you’re never going to pay. I take care of the women in my life.”Why did I say that?I haven’t had a woman to care for in a very long time. But it's something ingrained in me, growing up with Gram and my sister, Luna. Serenity could become a woman I would bend over backward for to ensure she’s taken care of.
“I guess what they say is true, chivalry isn’t dead. I could have sworn it died with the dating history I have,” she said with a shrug.
The waiter arrived and quickly took our orders. We both ordered a filet mignon with a baked potato.
“Is the dating world as bad as they say it is? Because from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t seem so bad.”
Her eyes widened as her cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink. “I think it might be you,” she responded. “You seem to be good at it.”
“Well, I haven’t been on a real date or even in a relationship for the past eight years,” I confessed, “so you’re the more experienced one out of the two of us.”
“That’s quite a long time.” She looked into my eyes with a contemplative expression. “Sorry, I’m trying to make sense of the fact that you haven’t dated in so long. You almost seem too good at it to be out of practice.”
