“That was very thoughtful,” I replied shyly.
“You want to put the flowers in some water and the champagne on ice for now? I can wait.”
“Well, I can put them in my car since I’m heading out.”
“Not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you that I would take you out to dinner tonight, and I meant that. I’m a man of my word, Baby.”
“I’m not really dressed for going out, though, Harlem. Look at me,” I professed, waving a hand down my attire.
I wore a pair of blue jeans with ripped knees, a teal and white off-the-shoulder sweater, and some white thigh-high boots.
“You look perfect to me.”
“And my hair is pulled up in this messy ponytail.”
“Perfect for showing off those gorgeous freckles.”
Warmth crept up my cheeks, as it always did whenever I was in his presence. I pressed my hands to my face to hide the blushing of my light-colored skin. He pulled them away.
“Don’t ever hide yourself from me, Baby. I want to see you, all of you. You’re so beautiful.”
“I just, I wasn’t ready for a date night, I guess.”
“No. You assumed that I was going to flake on you because you hadn’t seen me in the last couple of days.”
I chewed my lip and eyed him thoughtfully before I nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I don’t know who let you down before, but I promise, you can always take me at my word. Once I make up my mind about you, I’m not a fallback type of nigga. If I fail to come through, you’d better believe that something serious is going on.”
“So where are you possibly going to take me looking like this?”
“I’ve got the perfect place where you’ll fit in. There’s a place a couple of blocks over that is a come as you are type of establishment. Great food, good drinks, and excellent company.”
I hesitated for only a moment, but then I reminded myself that on this new venture of life, I would put myself out there more and enjoy what life brought as it came, no expectations but no hesitancy. I was on a journey to embrace happiness because I believed that I deserved it. That came with not holding this man accountable for another man’s sins and simply letting him prove or disprove himself.
With a smile, I replied, “I can get with that. Let me place the bottle of champagne and the flowers in my car.”
He waited until I had done that, and then I announced, “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Cool, let’s head out then.”
“Uhm, before we do, can I be a little nosy?”
“Sure.”
“What are those bags in your hands?” I asked.
“Just a little something I bought for someone. I planned to give it to them tonight.”
I nodded, though it was a little odd. We made small talk about our day as we walked down the street and two blocks over to a little restaurant called Casa Corazón Tapas & Wine Bar.
It was a cute little stucco building with fairy lights hanging all around the outside. There was a terrace with outdoor seating for those who chose to dine outside.
Harlem was greeted with warmth from the minute he stepped up to the door. They led us to a table on the back patio, which I hadn’t seen walking up to the restaurant.
