Now that I had her address, I went to my car and I drove to Maria’s house. She lived just off campus. It was a nice, residential neighborhood. It looked like a lot of nice families might have lived there. On the drive over there, I began to get nervous. Was this the biggest mistake I could have made, or what? I’d made the pact with myself to give Maria some time to come around to things, to let it all happen naturally, but I was too antsy, too nervous, and too excited to just leave it all up to chance. Very few amazing things had ever happened to me by leaving things up to chance I had to do this.
“It’s ok,” I said to myself. “You got this. It’s alright. Everything will be cool. No one saw me come this way and there is no harm in asking. I’ll just say I was in the neighborhood and I was hoping she might accompany me to dinner. We can pretend to just be friends if she wants. No pressure.”
As I repeated those words to myself trying to calm myself down, it began to have the opposite effect. I was not usually tongue tied or nervous when it came to women, or people in general. I’ve always been easy going and outgoing as well. People seemed to like me because I like people. But this time it was different. I felt a bit strange about it all, but it was so exciting that I was actually starting to feel a bit giddy.
My palms were getting sweaty on the wheel as I turned onto her street and pulled up into her driveway. She had a nice place. It looked peaceful, and it kind of suited her. I felt so strange just popping in like this as I stepped out of the car, but this was the moment of truth and I wasn’t going to chicken out now.
I steadied my nerves, took a few deep breaths and then walked up to her door. I rang the bell and waited nervously for her to answer.
A moment later she arrived at the door looking as beautiful as ever. The look of surprise on her face was refreshing and adorable. I smiled easily, trying to keep things light and playful.
“Jacob? What are you doing here?” Maria asked with a sheepish grin.
“Would you believe I was in the neighborhood?” I asked.
“Not really.”
“Well, then would you believe I got lost and just happened to stumble upon your house?”
She laughed and threw back her head slightly. I loved to tease her and make her laugh. “No. Not really. But that was a hell of a game you had today. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. That’s kind of the reason I stopped by.”
“Oh?”
“Well, I was hoping you might help me celebrate this historic victory by being my date to dinner. I’d love to take you out.”
I saw a spark of light in her eyes suddenly, but then she tried to hide it. I’d touched something there, I knew it. “Um, Jacob,” she said. “We’ve been over this. It’s not a good idea.”
“I know. In fact, it’s a terrible idea. That’s what makes it so fun.”
“You are too much,” she laughed.
“I’m aware,” I replied. “So, what do you say?”
“Ugh, you know what will happen if we are caught.”
“Yeah, but we can go a town or two over and find a quiet, romantic little restaurant.”
“Romantic? You have reservations or something?” She teased.
“Um, actually… no… This is sort of a spur of the moment type of thing.”
“So, romantic is probably not happening,” she continued.
“Oh, I’m sure we can make anything romantic. I was thinking of Italian. I know a great Italian restaurant called Tony’s over in Ellettsville—kind of a little secret—where the food is divine and the atmosphere is actually very romantic. It’s fantastic. I was actually planning to go there, but I just need the right dinner companion.”
Maria stood there looking at me, a mischievous grin on her face. She was wearing down, wasn’t she? Oh, yeah… she was wearing down a bit. I could see the decision turning over a in her eyes. Please…oh, please take a chance…
“Ok,” Maria said. “I’ll have dinner with you. Am I alright to go like this?”
“I think you look amazing,” I said.
She giggled and hit me playfully on the shoulder. “I think you need your eyes examined.”
She closed the door behind her, locked it, and headed toward my car. This was really happening. At last… we were going out together.
Chapter Twelve
Maria
What was I doing? I knew it was a mistake from the start, but when Jacob showed up on my doorstep looking so handsome, so sweet, and flashing that winning grin at me, his whole demeanor full of easy-going confidence and relaxed charm—I just couldn’t say no anymore. It was dinner. What harm could really come of it? I’d just been thinking of what I wanted to do for dinner and then the doorbell sounded.
I’d also been thinking about how beautiful Jacob looked on the field today. He glided across the field like a gazelle. They couldn’t even touch him. And the way my heart leapt out of my chest when he made that play was indescribable. I knew that I had to attend the game in a work-related sense, but I also wanted to know what it was like to experience the game as a fan, so when I first got to the game I spent the first quarter or so in the stands. It was also an easier way for me to watch Jacob without being super obvious about it. I’d been able to just hide in the stands.
And watching him was even more spectacular than I had even imagined. Just sitting there watching him play, running, and moving across that field—it turned me on like a light switch. I got so wet sitting there. I was almost tempted to run to the ladies’ room and take care of myself. I’d never actually done that in a public lady’s room before, but the idea was intriguing. Maybe I’d put it on my bucket list.
The conversation over to the next town was pretty simple and basic, at least at first. About halfway there, it began to turn more flirtatious.
“I’m amazed this is happening,” Jacob said. “I’m going to dinner with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“Wow, you are laying it on thick. I’m already going to dinner; don’t push your luck,” I teased.
He smiled. “I know this is frowned upon to say the least, but it’s an idiotic rule. We are consenting adults and no one should be able to tell us that we can’t have dinner together.”
“I agree,” I said. “I’ve always felt that way, but when other people control your job and your future, it gets pretty scary to think about doing something that might make life miserable.”
“I agree,” he replied. He smiled slightly out of the corner of his mouth, and checked me out quickly before putting his eyes back on the road. I loved the way he looked at me. Just knowing that I drove him crazy with desire turned me on. As we rolled along in silence for a few moments, I paid attention to his cologne. It was subtle, but sexy smelling, a little musky even. It was a turn on. I’ve always had a huge response to the right masculine scent. Something about this aroma entered my nose and triggered off a sweet feeling, a rush almost that made my emotions dance around inside my head. I wanted to grab him right there and just start ripping his clothes from his muscular body and have my way with him.
Would tonight actually lead to that? I was trying to play things coy and just take it easy, see where it all would lead, but if he initiated sex right then would I have gone with it? Yes, I knew I would have. Without a doubt. That was the nature of the passion I felt for him. It all carried with it a sweet element of danger. I loved that. I’d never known myself to be all that adventurous, but I was loving this. There was something so primitive, so primal, and so naughty about it. I was taking a step on the wild side with a dangerously sexy man and there could be very real consequences if things didn't go smoothly. And a part of me just didn’t care. I almost wanted to get caught, or rather I wanted to almost get caught. I could imagine the worry, the fear, the stress of almost getting found out and then slipping away out of it at the last minute like the suspenseful romance and action novels I read sometimes at night when I couldn’t sleep. It was a fun fantasy, and I was anxiously excited about what the rest of the night might
hold for us.
We arrived at the restaurant. It was a quaint Italian place and the moment I stepped foot into it, I felt like I had been transported to Italy. It was not a big, fancy, five-star restaurant where you would pay seventy dollars for a small portion of fettuccine alfredo, but it smelled like you would have the most excellent pizzeria quality pizza and salad that you’d ever placed your lips around. And that sounded just perfect for me. I’ve always been a simple girl. I’ve never really craved the luxurious or finer things in life. I was not raised that way.
We were shown a table and then given the menus. I could tell that Jacob felt a little embarrassed that we weren’t at some place more upscale, and I wanted to tell him to relax. I was excited about this place, but I decided not to mention it or draw any attention to the thought.
“So, what are you in the mood for?” He asked.
I glanced over the menu, but I knew what I wanted the moment I stepped through the door. “I’m going with pizza.”
He seemed surprised. “Wow, ordering something as generic as pizza in an Italian restaurant. Hell, pizza is their last item on the list.”
“True,” I said. “But I smelled it the moment I came in and I think it will go nicely. And it’s greasy, and messy. I love that, too.”
He laughed. “Wow, that is different for a date.”
“Oh, this is a date?” I teased him.
“You bet your rear it’s a date,” He said with a wink.
“Oh, then I want to show you the real me, so pizza it is.”
“Let’s make it a large and we will share,” Jacob replied. “Maybe a big salad and garlic bread sticks to go with it.”
“That sounds like carb overload,” I teased.
“Well, I played hard today; I need to replenish that energy. I’m starving.”
I smiled. The waiter came and took our order. We ordered a bottle of merlot as well.
“So, tell me about New York,” Jacob said.
“What’s to tell?”
“I don’t know; I’ve never been. That’s why I’m asking you.”
“Well, I grew up there, went to college there, and thought I’d get a job and start my career there, but this is where they sent me. So, here I am.”
“So, you are a bit like a fish out of water story.”
“Pretty much. A city girl trying to get used to the small-town life.”
“And how is that going so far?”
“It’s interesting,” I said. “I’m enjoying it.”
“Everyone else on the team treating you pretty well?”
“Most everyone. I believe your coach is a dirtball, but I’m dealing with it.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, he is a cretin to everyone. You will get used to it. I just hope they eventually realize he is useless and get rid of him.”
“He keeps giving me the weird, stink eye,” I said. “It’s disturbing.”
“Well, I’ve seen him look at other women that way. He is totally shameless. I don’t think he cares that people are annoyed or creeped out. In fact, I think he gets off on it.”
“He probably gets off on a lot of things,” I laughed.
“That can be taken a few ways,” he chuckled back.
The waiter returned with the wine. He opened the bottle and poured my glass and then Jacob’s leaving the bottle on the table. Then he sat the bread sticks down on the table, hoisting it off his gurney. Finally, he did something unexpected. He took the small jar of olive oil off the table and held it up to us.
“Olive oil,” he confirmed. Then he poured it into a little dish that had been sitting in the middle of the table the entire time. I wondered what was supposed to go in that. He next picked up the container off his tray. I now noticed there were several small containers on the tray. “Oregano. Just a dash or two.” He sprinkled a bit into the container of olive oil. I watched as he added the ingredients, calling them out together. “Rosemary.” Two teaspoons with a little measuring spoon. “Parsley.” Two more teaspoons. “Pinch of garlic salt.” He poured some of the garlic salt into his palm, set the container back on his tray, and then pinched little bit between his fingers over top of the container. Then he took a clean, small spoon and stirred the mixture well in front of us for a good twenty seconds.
The mixture now looked delicious.
“Will be anything else?” The waiter asked.
We shook our heads. “Your salad will be out shortly.”
“Let’s dig in,” Jacob said.
I took a piece of bread and dipped it into the sauce. Then I took a bite as a million sweet and nuanced flavors flooded my senses. Wow, this was amazing. It was the most delicious dipping sauce I’d ever tasted. And it had been so fun watching him slowly, and with deliberate care, mixing it all together in front of my very eyes. Those were the things that made a dining experience beautiful, in my opinion. They were the little things that I always enjoyed the most and remembered for sometimes years to come.
“Wow, that is freaking delicious,” Jacob said. “I’m going to have to remember that.”
“Right?” I said. “For such a small, quaint place, they go the extra mile. I love family owned places like this. They really care about what they do. And it shows. You aren’t just a number that they try to rush out the door as fast as they can.”
“Exactly,” Jacob replied. “I thought you might appreciate this place.”
“I do.”
“Cheers,” Jacob said holding up his glass. “To what I hope are many amazing memories to come.”
I clinked my glass with his, appreciating the toast. It was a nice, sweet gesture. As our glasses clinked, his eyes met mine, and the smile widened.
“So, what is your favorite movie?” Jacob asked.
I laughed. “What?” It was an odd question right out of the blue.
“Your favorite movie. Without thinking too much. Just what comes to mind?”
“Pulp Fiction.”
His eyes widened. “Wow. Really?”
“Yeah. Why? You don’t like it?”
“I love that movie. I just didn’t expect you to call out that one right off the bat. That’s awesome.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman, I’m not supposed to like violent, gritty movies?”
“Most women don’t, or at least they won’t admit to it.”
“I’d agree. I’ve been a huge Tarantino fan for a long time.”
“Me too.”
“But is Pulp Fiction your favorite?” I asked.
He hesitated. “It’s my favorite Tarantino, but not my favorite movie altogether.”
“Then let’s hear it.”
“Promise you won’t laugh?”
“I can’t promise that until I know what it is.”
“Ok,” he smiled. “My favorite movie is actually She’s All That.”
I burst out laughing.
“You said you wouldn’t laugh.”
“I did not say that. And that is hilarious.”
“It’s a classic and heartwarming tale. I see nothing wrong with loving that movie.”
I stopped laughing and took a sip of wine. “Wow, that is sweet. It’s just not a big guy movie.”
“So, I love the nineties teen films. Sue me.”
“Ok, I’m sorry if I offended you with my laughter.”
“Ok. You are forgiven this time.” He smiled and ran a hand through his wavy hair. “So, how long have you been single? Or do you have some boyfriend back in New York that I don’t know about?”
I shook my head. “I’ve been single for about six months.”
“That’s unexpected. Do guys in New York not have eyes? Or is this a conscious choice?”
“It’s deliberate in a way. I ended my last relationship then because things were just kind of stalled. We were not really communicating. We’d lost the lust and that special spark a long time back, and we both wanted to do different things. We were moving on in totally opposite directions.”
“Ok, I see.”
�
��Yeah, he wanted us to get married and for me to move to Wyoming where his family is from. He was going to work in his family’s dairy business and he wanted me to follow him. I had not promise of work or of getting to do what I loved. I was finishing school still. And I realized with all of those factors working against us that it was all a big wake up call. We were headed in different places. I was not the woman he wanted to spend his life with and he wasn’t the man. So, I ended things.”
“Wow, that’s rough, but it could have been worse, right? How did he take it?”
“He was a bit shocked, but after we talked a bit we both agreed it was the right thing. So, it was pretty mutual.”
“That works. You have to follow your heart, right? Sometimes you just have to go where the universe calls you and you can’t let the wrong person hold you back.”
“So, how about you? What’s your story?” I asked.
His eyes widened a second and then he let out a snort as he shook his head. This was drudging up some painful memories. I could tell.
“Was it not nearly as cut and dry?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not remotely. Basically, this girl I’d been seeing for about six months or so—Irene—she goes to school here. We just broke up officially about two weeks ago.”
“Two weeks? Wow…”
“Yeah, but it’s been over for a long time. She is crazy and she had a hard time letting go.”
“Crazy? How do you mean?”
He laughed. “Yeah, she is certifiable. She has always had anger issues and trust issues and she would just sling all these horrible accusations at me all the time, always worried about where I was and without any justifiable cause for this alarm. Finally, I told her I’d had enough and I ended it. She threatened to get even with me, so I’m still kind of wondering what might be coming down the pike.”
“Hmmm, that sounds rather ominous,” I said. “Is she… dangerous?”
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