Page 52 of Soaring Free
“Oh really?”
“You’re excellent at first dates, so I don’t think you need to test that theory beyond tonight.”
Does that mean he doesn’t see us going on another date beyond tonight? I thought things were going so well. Damn, I really must be out of practice when it comes to dating.
Theo reaches across the table and places his hand over mine. “I think you misunderstood my comment, Savannah. There’s no need to test the theory of how well you handle first dates beyond tonight, because after tonight, they will just be dates. And to putmy cards on the table, I intend to prevent a scenario where I would ever have to share your dating calendar with anyone else.”
I tilt my head as I consider his statement. “Does that go both ways?”
“Of course. I intend on this being the first of many dates, and if I’ve asked you on a second date, then you can rest assured there are no other women on my calendar.”
“Well, to be fair, you haven’t asked me on a second date.” I grin. “And I haven’t accepted either.” I raise my wine glass with a wink and take a drink while he shakes his head in laughter.
Theo leans his head in slightly. “What are you doing tomorrow then?”
“Theo. We haven’t even finished our entrée!” I laugh at the silly man in front of me as he shrugs shamelessly. “I think you have to finish the first date before you plan the second one.”
“Maybe, but I already knew I wanted to take you on a second date before we even started this one.” His honesty is refreshing, although it shouldn’t surprise me. I know he has been holding his feelings back for months at this point, but it also probably helped his chances with me in waiting. When we first met, I knew he was handsome—I’m not blind—but I wasn’t in a place to consider him anything other than a good-looking, charming guy. My heart was too hurt and too angry to even contemplate the possibility of something new with someone else. Those feelings are still there, but I suspect I will carry some of that hurt for years to come. It doesn’t mean I can’t also chase after my own happiness. Two big feelings can exist at the same time without nullifying the other. While it may be early days yet, if I couldn’t see something real between us, I wouldn’t have been willing to go on this date in the first place.
“With the holiday, we always go to the parade on Main Street then Daddy hosts a bunch of friends and family out at his place for our annual barbeque and fireworks.” Our entire town goes out for the Fourth of July, and it’s one of my favorite holidays.
He nods. “Perfect. Would you like to meet at the paradeand then go from there?”
The statement is so simple, but there’s a lot wrapped up in those few words. “I’ll have the girls with me.”
“I would hope so—Gigi will be with me too. It will be fun.” He smiles like it’s not a big deal.
A bark of laughter escapes me. “While I find your persistence charming and oddly enchanting, do you think it’s too soon for our girls to be hanging out, at least considering the fact that their parents went on a date the day before?”
“Nope. If you and I are going to spend time together, exploring our connection, and if our lives are compatible, then that has to include our girls. Neither of us are a single entity, and both of us come with our own package deal. I’m not asking you to remove yourself from that package, Savannah. I want to explore all of it with you and your entire life, including the people in it.”
“That might be the sweetest thing you could say to me, Theo. I don’t know how to navigate dating as a single mama, so I need to be cautious with not only my heart, but with my babies’ hearts too.”
He sets his fork down and reaches across the table to take my hand again. “And I promise to handle all of them with care.”
His solemn stare feels more like he’s making a vow, right here, over angel hair and steak. “Okay. I promise to handle both of your hearts with care too, Theo. Gigi is a really sweet little girl, I would never want to hurt her.” I can’t imagine ever hurting that little sweetheart.
“That’s all I ask.”
After dinner, we enjoyed a picturesque walk under the stars through our cute downtown, which is ready for tomorrow’s parade with banners and patriotic décor plastered everywhere. Tonight, Theo has held my hand, opened doors, and been a perfect gentleman. We talked about a million things and laughed more than I had in a long time. My cheeks even hurt from smiling so much.
Pulling into my driveway, Theo turns to me as he puts the car in park. “I can’t complain about ending tonight with a bang.” My eyes widen as he smirks at me.What is happening?
“The fireworks, Savannah,” Theo says as he nods to the fireworks lighting up the sky outside the windows. “What were you thinking, dirty girl?” He laughs.
Oh, he wants to play? Silly boy.
“I assure you, sir, I am no girl.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “I’m one hundred percent woman in every single way and I’m not afraid to get a little dirty in the right situation.” I wink and judging by his blown pupils, I think my attempt at being sexy worked.
“You’re a handful, aren’t you, Savannah?” His gravely tone is delicious and a little unexpected.
“Only in the very best ways.” Who am I right now? The only person that could bust us right now is my own sister who is inside watching my girls for me, but it still adds an element of fun to it, just knowing we could get caught, not that we’re doing anything wrong at all. I will have to freak out about this later though because I’m having so much fun flirting with a good-looking man. It’s been so long since I’ve felt … desired.
“Oh, I can only imagine.” Theo shakes his head and chuckles.
“You have no idea.”
“At least, not yet.” He winks at me and why isthatso hot? He reaches up to brush a piece of hair off my face as the atmosphere between us shifts.
