Page 103 of Love Resurrected
“This isn’t going the way I thought it would,” I tell her. “I guess what I’m saying is, I want to try. I want to see if I can move on.”
She nods.
“But I only want to do that with you.”
“Oh.” Her mouth stays in an O shape and her eyes widen. She looks off to the right as though trying to figure out what to do.
“Have dinner with me.” I suppose I should be asking her, but instead it comes out as more of a command.
“Dinner?” She sighs. “I don’t know, Brad.”
“Just dinner. No quickies in the bathroom.” I smile, hoping I look charming. She smiles in return, just a little one. It’s encouraging. “I mean, unless you want to.”
She laughs. “When?”
“Anytime. Now. Tomorrow. Whenever you’re free.”
She scrunches her lips to the side as she thinks. It’s cute. “Sure. How about tomorrow night?”
I smile big. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Okay,” she says, ducking her head slightly.
“This is going to be good, Tenley. For both of us. I promise.” And right now, I believe it.
We both stand and head for the elevator bays, then laugh as we realize we’ll be using the same elevator. When we reach our level, we walk to the same parking structure as the other.
Not that I mind. I’m just happy to have time to redeem myself. To make Kat proud, to show Tenley I care, to prove to Ethan I’m an adult, to have Nessa see that I too can move on. Hell, maybe even to justify to myself that life, after death, can still be worth living.
* * *
Six o’clock seems to have taken forever to get here as well as come way too fast. I’m nervous about having dinner with Tenley. Maybe because for the first time I’m going into it with my eyes open and my head clear on my intentions. I’m still not feeling completely guilt-free in all this, but it’s a tolerable level of guilt, one that I can deal with.
I dress in dark jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It’s casual, but can still fit in most places, since I’ve yet to decide where to take her. Which means I also haven’t made a reservation. I want to go somewhere we won’t be interrupted too often, but also where there’s something external to be entertaining should conversation stall or be awkward. Dancing and mystery dinners are automatically out.
It’s not until I’m in my truck that I think of where I want to go. It’s a little bit out there, but it was one of Kat’s favorite places, so I think Tenley will like it too. I do a gut check to make sure my intentions are in the right place, and I’m not just slipping Tenley into theKat slot,so to speak. Then I call Ethan and have him ask Sadie her opinion, just to be sure.
Tenley steps outside her front door and pulls it shut behind her as soon as I pull up. She’s opening the passenger door and crawling in before I can get out and help her.
“Give a guy a chance to be a gentleman, will ya?” I tease.
“Maybe I’m just excited to get the evening started.” She winks. It’s perfect and sexy and nothing like Kat, who couldn’t wink to save her life.
“All right then,” I say as I put the truck back in gear and start down the hill towards downtown.
She looks incredible, in a loose, white off-shoulder blouse, paired with painted-on distressed jeans, and brown open-toed ankle booties. Her makeup is light and natural, and her hair is down in loose curls. She could be the poster girl for Man’s Perfect Date.
I reach over and tap her knee with my casted hand. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she says, glowing at the compliment.
We pull into the parking lot after a quiet, companionable drive there. “Before we go in,” I start. “I just want to say thank you for taking a chance with me tonight. And in the future.”
“‘Cause you think there’s going to be a second date?”
“Oh, I know there’s going to be a second date.”
She looks at me for a long moment. “Okay, then.” She smiles.
