Page 18 of Choosing Goddess

She kept me on my toes, and in that, she hadn’t changed. She did it when we were younger too, but just in a different way.

I drove us to the local spot, glad to take her to something that was different, and probably a lot more low key than she had on any date.

It was an apology, though. A way to get her to understand how sorry I was and how much of a screw up I didn’t mean to be.

She knew that and she still accepted, even if I told her I wanted Goddess today.

Maybe in my own twisted way, I did want to see what the two ladies were like just so I knew that I didn’t have a reason to be upset

“Here we are,” I told her, parking the car and climbing out.

“I still can’t believe I’m at a Farmer’s Market Gala for a date, but I’ll take it.”

I tilted my head slightly at her tone. There was a hitch to her voice that hadn’t been there before. There was also a glint in her eye that wasn’t there when she glanced at me prior to her getting out.

“Well, I figured something different would be fun.”

“I like different,” she said, adjusting her shirt so that it hugged her right but didn’t show anything. “I also enjoy moonlight drinks. Think this shall go that long?”

“You mean like past the time?”

“Yes. Because if that’s the case, I’m telling you now I charge for overtime.”

My mouth dropped a little at that, but I couldn’t help but smile. I had Goddess before me and while she was still my Spy, she was a different woman too. There was a hardness to her now that I hadn’t seen before. She was charming, but not open; maybe more reserved.

“Noted, but we shouldn’t be out here longer than necessary.”

“Good. Do you know what will be there tonight? I like supporting local farmers and artists.”

I tilted my head as we walked down the main pathway by the market stalls, once more getting a very different vibe from this woman.

“What is it, Ajax?” she asked, lightly placing her hand on my arm.

I shook my head, giving her a smile.

“Nothing. Shall we go shopping? See if something catches your eye?”

“I’d love to. Do you know anyone here? I’d be happy to meet them.”

I grabbed her arm before we hit the first stall and pulled her aside, shaking my head once more.

“Okay, I lied. I don’t want Goddess.”

She grinned, making that dimple that I absolutely loved, pop.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t she more up to your speed though? Isn’t she the one you want to introduce to your friends here? To the people you support?”

“No. Not at all.”

She crossed her arms and leaned back against a tree.

“And why not?”

“Because Goddess is a different woman. She’s beautiful, smart, but she’s withheld and that’s not the woman I want on my arm right now. Not when we’re about to meet some people.”

“When I started this gig, I had to find a way to keep my life separate. I couldn’t look too different because that’s what men wanted. But I had to be sort of different. Goddess is smart, beautiful, great conversationalist, and easy to talk to. But she’s not giving up personal information and she’s reserved. You are right. It’s in the little things though.”

I wrapped my arm around her, smiling.