In Other Words

by Jennifer Woodhull

  ME: THAT one. Definitely. The blue sweater.

  My phone rings a moment later.

  “Are you sure? I could wear a jacket…like a sportscoat.”.

  I chuckle. “Dex, you look amazing. Very handsome. Don’t you trust me?”

  “Of course I trust you. Why else would I be calling you?” He pauses, then restates the question. “So definitely the blue?”

  “Dex, if you showed up for a date with me in that, you’d have my attention all night, I promise.”

  “Really?” His voice goes up at the end and he sounds ridiculously happy.

  “Where are you taking the lucky lady anyway?”

  “I thought I’d take her to the Arboretum, then to dinner at that tapas place near her neighborhood. What do you think?” I hear the nerves in his voice, and they must be catching because, suddenly, I feel nervous too.

  “I think that sounds like an amazing date. You’ll be able to talk at the Arboretum…get to know each other.”

  “Yeah, I thought so too.” He lets out a short sigh. “Okay, I guess I better finish getting ready. Thanks, Clair.”

  “Anytime…and let me know how it goes? Text me or call me tomorrow night if you don’t have anything else going on,” I remind him.

  He agrees and we hang up the phone. I hope the girl he’s taking out is good enough for him.

  My mind goes back to another date he was nervously getting ready for not long after his company sold their first patent. He was going to a work party with a girl he’d been out with a couple of times. There would be dancing, which always made him nervous, and he wanted me to show him some steps. We cranked up Norah Jones in the living room of his house and swayed back and forth to the sultry tunes.

  As we danced around his living room, my temple pressed to his cheek, that’s when I really knew. It wasn’t a crush at all. I knew my feelings for Dex were deep. As he held me that night, dancing to a soundtrack made for seduction, I almost slipped. I could smell his after shave and feel the heat of his skin. I parted my lips to say the words, but my throat went dry and they wouldn’t come out.

  Maybe things worked out just as they should have. If we had dated, and fizzled out, he’d be out of my life, and honestly, a day when he’s not part of my world is a day I hope never comes.

  CHAPTER 10

  Dexter

  I’M ALWAYS NERVOUS before a date, but tonight my nerves would register on the Richter scale. I read the same email six times and still don’t know what is says, so I slide the phone into my back pocket and wait. A few minutes later, an SUV pulls up and Tabitha steps out.

  “Hi,” she smiles, waving enthusiastically as I walk around her car.

  I remembered her being pretty. I was wrong. She’s beautiful. She’s shorter than me…a lot shorter, and has brown hair that falls just below her shoulders in soft curls. The dress she’s wearing really shows off what a great figure she has, and I notice right away that she’s wearing flats. I like that because it makes me think she’s not going to complain about walking in heels.

  As the distance closes between us, she surprises me by tiptoeing up to give me a quick hug.

  After we greet each other, I tell her I’ve got an idea of where we can go to talk and get to know each other before heading inside to dinner.

  “I love this car.” She’s looking around at the interior as I hop in behind the wheel of my Tesla and buckle my seatbelt. “I wish I could drive something like this, but it’s not very practical in my line of work.”

  “I bet you have to carry all sorts of equipment, not to mention the occasional patient, in your SUV.”

  “I really do find myself carrying some pretty odd cargo. I get it detailed… frequently. I really try not to have everything I own covered in dog and cat hair.” As she says it, I see her glance downward and brush her hands across her lap.

  Is she nervous too? Something about that idea makes my spirits lift a little.

  I give a quick glance from her smile, down her dress and back, careful not to linger anywhere. “I don’t see a bit of errant animal hair on you, so mission accomplished.”

  This makes her posture relax, and I smile a little that I got it right.

  Tabitha seems pleasantly surprised when we get to the Arboretum. “This is perfect. You know, I’ve always wanted to come here, but never have.”

  “I’m glad I chose it, then. I was hoping you wouldn’t think it was too boring.”

  “Well, nothing is boring if you have good company.” She glances up at me from under her lashes and flashes a sexy grin.

  I tuck her hand into the crook of my arm, and we walk the paths of the gardens. She tells me about her family, most of whom are in Georgia, where she’s from.

  “Okay, this is the part where I take advantage of the fact that we’ve been walking for like thirty minutes so if you think what I’m about to say is weird, you literally have to run away to ditch me here.” She gives me the cutest little smile.

  I chuckle at that, not able to imagine what would make me want to run from this girl. “Well, these loafers aren’t made for running, so it’s your lucky night.”

  “I have to confess…I Googled you.” The way she says it sounds just a little dirty, which I kind of love.

  “Really? You Googled me before our first date? That’s pretty forward of you. I mean, in the digital age, isn’t that practically second base?” She laughs, and I smile that my joke hits the mark.

  “You’re right, I’m so sorry. I should have totally waited until we exchanged emojis in a text and followed each other on Twitter first.” She exaggeratedly adds, “I’m practically a tart.”

  “Hmm. Now, if you were a tart, in the literal, baked-goods sense, what sort of tart would you be?” I quirk an eyebrow up over my glasses.

  “Now that’s an interesting question. I would definitely be a blueberry tart.”

  “I’m intrigued. Defend your choice.”

  “They’re small, but bursting with flavor.” She casts her eyes up from under her lashes and raises one shoulder, feigning smugness.

  She’s funny and clever as well as pretty. This date is shaping up better than I expected.

  The sun has just gone down, and we pause to look at the flower of a night blooming cereus. When we start walking again, instead of offering her my elbow, I take her hand and link my fingers in hers. She embraces it, and leans in close to me as we walk down to the lake, where we stop to take in the lights on the water. It’s a perfect night for this, and the whole park feels romantic under the street lamps and stars.

  When we turn and step into the poetry garden, it’s completely empty.

  “Can I ask you something that might sound kind of crazy?” She wrinkles her nose as she asks the question.

  “Sure thing. Kind of crazy is my jam.”

  “I feel like we’re vibing pretty hard right now. Do you feel that too, or am I on my own here?” She looks up at me with the sweetest little grin that incites a smile of my own.

  “I mean, I get to hang out with a smart, funny, beautiful woman. I don’t know what you’re getting out of this whole thing, but I’m having fun.” I wriggle my eyebrows.

  She laughs, and leans back against the brick archway, then pulls my hand, forcing me to step closer.

  “So here’s the crazy part…ready for it?” I nod, and she continues. “I know we’re going to dinner after this, and I really don’t want to be worrying all night about our first kiss while I have cilantro and sangria breath.”

  “Okay…I like you, Tabitha, but if you don’t want to kiss me tonight, you absolutely don’t have to.”

  Her lips quirk up at one corner. “God, you’re adorable.” She shakes her head. “But I was actually going another direction with that.” She looks around, then back to me expectantly.

  Come on, dumbass, I think she wants you to kiss her now.

  I step forward a little, and tuck a chocolate brown curl behind her ear, grazing her cheek with my fingertips as I do. Her breath quickens at m
y touch.

  “Maybe it’s best if we go ahead and have that first kiss now, then?” I ask the question and she nods her affirmation.

  I put one palm on the brick wall beside her. When my lips meet hers, they’re soft and warm. She steps forward to press a palm to my chest as we break the kiss.

  It was a really nice kiss, but I need confirmation she felt the same. “So, about that vibing thing…?” I raise an eyebrow in question.

  “Oh yeah. We are vibing so hard right now.” She replies with a broad smile.

  The next moment, her stomach growls. Loudly. I smirk as I try to hold back a chuckle, but when I look over at Tabitha, she laughs out loud.

  “Sorry! I was trying to watch what I ate today so I wouldn’t be puffy and would look cute for our date,” she confesses. “I am seriously starving though. I’m not one of those dainty girls who can live on a carrot stick and a sugar-free Red Bull.”

  “Yes!” I exclaim with a fist pump. “I do like a woman who can appreciate good food. Speaking of which, we should probably get some ceviche and bacon-wrapped dates in you, stat.”

  .-- --- -. -.. . .-.

  After an amazing meal, when we can’t linger at our table any longer, we decide it’s time to say goodnight, and I walk her out to her car, which I parked beside when we returned for dinner.

  “I had a really nice time.” Tabitha leans back against her car.

  “Me too…But there’s something I forgot to ask.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You said you Googled me. What did you find?” I tip my head to the side a little as I ask.

  “Oh.” She rolls her eyes and smiles. “I saw the articles about your company. There were lots of words like genius, wunderkind, and visionary. So basically, it confirmed what I already knew from talking to you at the club that night.”

  “Which was what, exactly?” I ask, familiar nerves knotting in my belly as I think of all the things people have assumed about me in the past.

  Nerd. Bookish. Strange. Boring. Unlikable. Weirdo.

  “I have to admit, too, I was surprised…I had no idea how big your company is.”

  “We’ve built it into a pretty decent research facility.” I’m little embarrassed and afraid I’ll sound like I’m bragging.

  “I read about your philanthropic work, too.” She grins, and my heart swells a little with pride.

  “Oh, well, as long as they were all good things, Google away.”

  “What were you afraid I’d find online? Are you dating a dozen supermodels? Wait, wait,” she exaggeratedly slices her palms through the air, “Are you secretly married?”

  “Not secretly.” My eyes dart up as I rock my head from side to side.

  She laughs and pinches at my side. “You’re a naughty one, you.”

  “Hmm, and you just called me nice a moment ago. I can’t help but wonder which side of Santa’s list I’ll end up on.” I step a little closer, suddenly wanting to kiss her again.

  “I think you’re going to be on both sides, because I suspect you’re a complex man, Dexter Flynn.”

  “I suspect you like complexity.” She smiles up at me, but her eyes are dark. “I want to kiss you again.”

  “That works out, because I like being kissed by you.” Her voice is breathy and light.

  When we finally say goodnight, I promise to call her this week so we can make plans to see each other soon.

  “You better. Even if you’re on a different time zone…shoot me a text or something so I know you didn’t forget me.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible, Tabitha.”

  “Just to make sure…,” she flashes a mischievous grin and kisses me one more time.

  Driving home, I’m pumped that the night went so well. I want to call Clair, but decide it can wait until tomorrow.

  That’s the first time I’ve thought about Clair tonight. Maybe there’s hope I’ll get over her yet.

  CHAPTER 11

  Sinclair

  I CHECK MY PHONE half a dozen times for any word from Dex. He never texted to let me know how his date went, so I’m guessing he didn’t need to be talked down off the ledge.

  In the afternoon, I have some sales reports to finish, so I head back to the office. When I walk to my desk in the bullpen—the area of the office where sales reps park when we’re not out pounding the pavement—I’m surprised to find a small package on my desk.

  I open the little card that’s on top of the box, and it reads:

  For tomorrow night. – C

  When I pull back the lid, I can’t help but laugh right out loud, garnering strange looks from across the room where the only other two people in the office at the moment are sitting. It’s a pair of knee socks with the Frontiersman baseball team logo all over them. Inside is also a pair of disposable glasses, the kind you use for an eclipse, but these are clear and have the words seeing stars printed on the side.

  Is this a clue? If he’s trying to knock my socks off he’s definitely headed in the right direction.

  I put the glasses on, and every light bulb in the office twinkles like a star. I smile at the unexpected surprise and place both items in my purse before grabbing my cell to text Cole.

  ME: I had a present on my desk when I got back to the office. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?

  COLE: Maybe. [smiley face emoji] But only if you like them.

  ME: I love them. The glasses have me intrigued.

  COLE: Just be sure to bring them tomorrow night.

  ME: I’m looking forward to it.

  COLE: Me too. Can’t wait.

  I finish my day genuinely excited for my date with Cole tomorrow night. Maybe we just weren’t in sync the first time we went out. Now, though? He definitely seems to be hitting the mark with me. Maybe there’s more to him than I initially thought after all.

  .-- --- -. -.. . .-.

  I’ve just changed into favorite yoga pants and a t-shirt when there’s a knock on my front door. I look through the peephole and smile at the familiar taco logo on the bag being held aloft at eye level with my view.

  I fling the door open and launch myself at Dex, throwing an arm around his neck to hug him.

  “If that’s the greeting I get, I’m bringing tacos with me everywhere I go from now on.” He flashes a cockeyed smirk.

  “You are my favorite person right now, and your psychic powers must be on point. How did you know I was craving tacos?” I take the bag from him and head for the kitchen.

  “They’re your favorite food on the planet. They’re you’re death row meal. If you had to subsist on one thing and one thing only for life, tacos would be it.” He shrugs as I pull out a couple of paper plates, handing him one.

  Leaving out a couple, he puts away the rest of a six-pack of Broad Ripple beer in the fridge, and we head to the dining room table, which is now only stacked up halfway with boxes since I’ve unpacked a little more over the course of the past couple of weeks.

  “So…,” I tuck into the first delicious bite of soft shell taco. “Are you going to tell me about your date, or do I have to resort to interrogation techniques?”

  “I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” He puts his palms up in mock self-defense.

  “The Arboretum was really kind of perfect because it gave us a chance to talk while we walked around.” He gives a shy shrug that tells me there’s more to the story.

  “Ooh, nice call. That sounds very romantic!” I wriggle my eyebrows at him, and the blush in his cheeks grows deeper. “She liked it, too?”

  “Yeah, she did.” He clears his throat. “We might’ve kissed…in the poetry garden.”

  My jaw clenches and I force myself to swallow the bite of taco I’m chewing, then muster a smile.

  “Shut up! First kiss before you even made it to dinner? I told you she was into you!” I put my hand up for him to high five.

  I hope the enthusiasm masks the nerves I feel. If this woman becomes important in his life, I don’t want to slip away until I�
�m that person he used to be friends with.

  “How about you? You’re going out with Cole tomorrow night, right?” He takes a swig of beer.

  “I am. In fact, he sent me a little something today,” I smirk remembering my surprise at the thoughtful little gesture.

  “Oh? Flowers?” He doesn’t my eye, suddenly fascinated by his taco.

  “Nope! He sent me a gift…a clue about our date. It’s a pair of foldable glasses that make all the lights look like stars. Any idea what that’s all about?”

  “No.” He puts his thumb and forefinger to his chin, and crosses the other arm across his chest. “Was that all?”

  “There were the glasses and a pair of knee-high socks with the Frontiersman logo on them.”

  “Because he wants to knock your socks off?” He chuckles, clearly amused.

  “Exactly…,” I respond through a bite of taco, then realize we hadn’t talked about Cole’s little joke. “Wait, I didn’t tell you about that. How did you know he said that?”

  “I…um…I don’t know. Maybe…Cole told me? He must’ve, right?” He chuckles, then clears his throat and takes a sip of his beer. “He was excited about your date. He told me you had talked, so he must’ve said something about it.”

  “Oh-kay.”

  Something about his tone bothers me, but I can’t put my finger on why, so I let it go.

  “You seem pretty excited, so I guess you rethought your position on Cole after the first date, huh?”

  “I think...maybe we were just out of sync on our first date. Maybe I was distracted, or maybe he had something on his mind. Our chats since have been great, though. I might’ve accidentally told my parents we had a date this weekend.” I sigh.

  “Uh-oh, I bet Sam was all over that!” Dex laughs. He knows my Dad is a huge baseball fan.

  “Not to mention Deb. She’s probably putting deposits down on wedding venues.” He laughs even harder at his own joke, then straightens in his chair, clears his throat and takes a final sip of beer from the bottle in his hand.