“We can try,” he concedes.
I clear the small distance between us and kiss him desperately. He laughs around our kisses. “I think I’ll have to give in to a lot more things if I get this response every time,” he says.
“Shut up,” I tell him and press my body closer to his as my kisses deepen.
Chapter 5
The next morning, I awake feeling better than I have in days. Everything seems so perfect now that Cole and I are committed to giving a relationship a shot. I’m so excited to start the day as I bound down the stairs singing Metro Station’s ‘Shake it’ from my iPod. The song reminds me of Cole so I had to start the morning with it.
I bounce into the kitchen, surprising the whole family with my mood. Mom and dad share a knowing look at each other and Alex rolls his eyes.
“You slept in late this morning,” dad notes. “Long night.” Mom elbows him in the side and they both share a quick laugh.
“Yeah, a little,” I reply smiling from ear to ear. “I’m starving this morning. Too much swimming yesterday.”
My dad is about to burst at the seams from containing his laughter.
“You’re weird daddy,” I inform him and then wrap my arms around his torso. “But I love you anyways.”
He sobers up a bit and kisses my head. “I love you too, baby girl.”
Just then the doorbell rings and I run to answer it, which leaves my parents laughing at me some more and exclaiming to themselves how they’ve never seen me so happy.
When I open the door, I am greeted by a huge bouquet of Calla Lilies and a special someone from across the street wearing a top hat.
I take the Lilies he hands to me and rub them against my lips. “They’re my favorite, how did you know?”
His eyes sparkle brightly but instead of answering me he says, “You have been cordially invited to have dinner with me tonight.” He dips his top hat down in the old fashion sentiment.
“Thank you, kind sir.” I curtsey to him and giggle.
“Shall I pick you up at five o’clock, then?” I nod. “Until then, ma’am.” He gently takes my hand and places a kiss upon it. Then, he’s going down the porch steps and back towards his house.
I shut the door and lean up against it to catch my breath. I thought I was happy before, but now I am going to burst. I squeal loudly and head back to the kitchen to put my newest gift in water. The other gift, the pendant, is in my jewelry box with an old silver chain running through the hole.
“That boy sure knows how to sweep a girl off her feet,” my dad remarks on seeing the huge bouquet of flowers.
“I know,” I admit. “Who told him my favorite flower?”
Everyone mumbles that it wasn’t them. And I shake my head in amazement that he was able to pull that off instead of the traditional, and I think boring, red roses. But now, reality hits me as I realize I won’t be able to see him until tonight. That means the day is going to go by so slow until then. What am I going to do? Kaitlyn! I’ll see if she wants to go out. Maybe get a manicure and pedicure and go buy a new dress.
After I crush a bowl of cereal, I call Kaitlyn and that is exactly what we go do. It has been so long since Kaitlyn and I had a girlie day. Even my mom joins us, which added to the pleasure of the day, instead of taking away as I’m sure most girls would think. My mom has a high sense of fashion and she talks about my dad like he’s her boyfriend, so it’s like having another girl with us. I make all the appropriated ‘yucky’ faces, though, when she tries to spill us on more intimate details. I do not want to picture my dad like that.
By three o’clock, our nails are looking perfect and I have a pretty new dress for the dinner. I don’t know where Cole is taking me so I went with a casual/formal dress. It’s nothing too much more formal than what I would wear on a normal day. At least that is what I am telling myself. The dress we chose is magical. It’s another strapless dress, like the one I wore the other day, that stops right above my knee, it has a sweetheart neckline, is white underneath with a sheer overlay with sparkling silver and gold glitter in an intricate pattern. I also bought a pair of gold heels to go with it.
When we get home Kaitlyn helps me by putting my hair up in a half-do as I apply my makeup. She styles the top half in a loose bun that makes it appear it’s coming loose, while the rest of the hair is softly curled and cascading down my back. The whole time she helps, she keeps commenting on never seeing me so excited about a date before and how the only other time she’s ever helped me get ready was for a school dance. I don’t comment back. I don’t know how to explain my anxious behavior.
When she is done I attach the latch on the angel pendent necklace and look back to see how perfect it looks with the rest of the ensemble.
“You look amazing,” Kaitlyn tells me.
“Only because you helped,” I compliment her. “Thank you for helping me get ready and for helping this day fly by. It’s such a relief.”
She just shakes her head, still in a state of disbelief. “Let’s go downstairs and show your mom.” She grabs my hand and leads me down the stairs into the living room; where everyone is sitting back enjoying the news, as much as one can enjoy it. Mom and dad are sipping their nightly glasses of wine.
“Oh sweetie, you look beautiful,” mom gushes.
“Very nice,” dad comments, nodding his head in approval.
“Pretty dress,” Alex remarks, barely looking away from the TV. Kaitlyn walks over to sit next to Alex and nudges him in his side to show her disapproval in his enthusiasm.
“He should be here any minute now. Do you want to sit down with us, relax for a bit?” My mom tries to calm me but she knows I’m too keyed up to sit.
“No thanks. I’m just going to make myself a glass of water, find a chill pill, you know those relaxing methods,” I say to her.
She tries to stifle a laugh but still manages to break out in a smile while my insides feel like they are coming apart. I go into the kitchen, alone, which I prefer right now. I pour a glass of water, secretly wishing I could have a glass of wine or a xanax or both. Before I can finish the glass the doorbell rings and I take several deep breaths before walking towards the front door.
Alex has already answered it and is talking to Cole while they wait for me. Cole looks smoking hot. Thankfully, he’s dressed up too. He’s wearing tight black slacks and a black shirt with a skinny silver tie. Perfect. He looks so amazing in anything he wears. And anything he doesn’t wear, I think to myself.
Cole’s eyes smolder as he takes me in and I can’t help but blush at the way he looks at me. “There are no words to describe how beautiful you look right now,” he flatters me while taking my hand and spinning me before him so he can see all of the dress. “Absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you,” I respond, embarrassed by his flattering. “Bye, everyone,” I call out in a hurry to get away from them before I feel even more embarrassed. We listen to their sentiments as Cole takes my hand and leads me out to his car, which is parked in front of his house.
I’ve never noticed his car before, probably because it’s always been parked in the garage. Now that I see it I think it’s as extravagant as the rest of him. It’s a black Audi A6, which, by the way, is one of my favorite cars. I am so jealous that he has this while me and Alex have to share a Ford Explorer.
He opens the door for me and waits till I’m comfortably inside before shutting the door and coming around to the driver side. The interior of the car is leather and the windows have a tint that makes the car really dark inside. I love it.
Cole puts the keys in the ignition and starts the car. “Ready?” he asks shakily. I’ve never seen him appear nervous but he seems as nervous as I am about this date. That gives me the courage to lean over the console and kiss his cheek gently.
He turns to me and smiles. “Ready,” I tell him. And then lean in again to kiss his lips, the sweetest kiss we’ve yet to share. “Where are we going by the way?” I ask him, adjusting back in my seat as he puts the
car into gear and shoots the car forward.
“Mahi Mah’s,” he responds. “Have you been there?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’ve been past it thousands of times.”
“Yeah, me too.” He navigates the car, going entirely way too fast than I would drive. “They have local bands perform there often and I thought that would be kind of cool to check out.”
“Yeah, that sounds awesome.” I’m concentrating more on his speedometer than him. He must have noticed because he lets up on the gas. “Thanks,” I sigh out in relief.
He grins at me and I look out the window to see we are already at the strip. Damn and I thought he slowed down on my benefit.
“No problem,” he responds, still grinning at my faux pas.
He parks the car in front of the hotel so the valet can take it. Parking in Virginia Beach in the summer is a disaster. You do not want to do it yourself because chances are; you will be parking a mile inland.
There are hotels lined up along three miles of Atlantic Avenue, many of the hotels have restaurants on the bottom floor, opening up to the street and the boardwalk behind it. Some of the hotels have parking garages but you have to be a guest to use them. There are a couple of other parking garages along the street but chances are, in the summer months, they’re full.
Cole gets out of the car and exchanges the keys for a ticket with the valet before coming around and opening my door. He entwines his fingers with mine and we set off next door to the restaurant. He opens the door for me as I enter and pull him in with our hands still entwined. We walk up to the hostess stand and Cole is about to speak to her when we hear a voice direct him from behind.
“Cole, what a pleasant surprise running into you here.” I turn to the man who has addressed Cole and find myself looking at a very handsome man to be about late twenties, maybe thirty-years-old. He has dark, dirty blond hair that is swooped to the side and deep blue eyes. I’m mesmerized by how striking his resemblance is to Alex.
“Hello, Edmund,” Cole addresses the man. “I didn’t realize you were in town.” It might just be me but Cole seems really nervous to see this Edmund here. And I am feeling an uncanny recognition to the man. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before but I feel like I should know him. Maybe it’s because of his resemblance to Alex. I told Alex this would happen: seeing someone who may be a family member but not knowing because we don’t know who our family is.
Edmund ignores Cole’s last statement and says, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to this stunning young lady?” He looks me up and down and then smiles at me like he’s approving me.
“I’m sorry how rude of me,” he pronunciates the word rude like he’s trying to make a point to Edmund. Maybe because Edmund is interfering with our date. “Alexis this is Edmund…”
“Edmund Kakabel,” Edmund interrupts Cole and sticks out his hand to shake mine. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you.” He looks at me with nothing but sheer delight on his face. It’s as if this is the greatest honor of his life.
“Pleasure to meet you too,” I tell him as he continues to hold on to my hand.
“Well, if you will excuse us, Edmund, we have dinner reservations.” He pulls me behind him so Edmund will release my hand.
“I was just coming here to eat too. Do you mind if I join you?” I’m a little disappointed in him asking. I really wanted to be alone with Cole. “I’m sorry,” Edmund says, reading the disappointment on my face. “I’m sure you guys wanted some privacy.” He pauses waiting for us to say something. “I’ll tell you what. I have two tickets to the eight o’clock showing at the Opera House. I’ll exchange those for a dinner with you. You’re not going to let me eat alone are you?” He gives me a pleading look and I can’t help but smile at his antics.
Cole shakes his head and turns to give me ‘what do you think’ look. I nod my consent. “Ok. You’ve given me no choice,” Cole tells Edmund, raising his arms in a gesture of defeat.
“Excellent,” Edmund responds and gestures for us to proceed.
After Cole gives the hostess his name and changes our reservation from two people to three, we are ushered to our table. Our table sits along the window that views the boardwalk and the local jazz band that is playing on the deck. Cole holds my chair out for me and then sits next to me, while Edmund sits across from us. Edmund continues to stare at me before asking me the usual questions of how me and Cole met, how old I am, where I grew up and school.
Eventually the waitress comes by to take our orders and gives me a break from his interrogation. I use the time to study Edmund as he orders his drink. I wonder if he is a relative, maybe an uncle or something. When our orders are done I take the opportunity to ask how they know each other.
“Cole and I go way back,” Edmund informs me.
“Edmund basically took me under his wing when I lost my parents,” Cole says. He gives Edmund a pointed look that I don’t really understand. Are they keeping something from me? I get the impression Cole is trying to get a story straight before Edmund messes it up.
“Yes, Cole was what you would call a troubled child. Gave me a hard time most of his life,” Edmund informs me.
Cole casually hands me the glass of wine he was able to order because the waitress never questioned to see his fake ID. I look at him beseechingly, afraid to get caught underage drinking.
“If you take it like you own it, no one will question you,” he tells me as I take the glass and sip a little. It’s bitter and sweet but moves down my throat smoothly. I like it. He sees the pleasure on my face and tells me, “It’s a cabernet sauvignon. One of my favorites.”
“It’s good,” I agree with his tastes. I try to hand it back to him but he presses it back into my hand and then swipes my diet coke.
“Don’t become a bad influence on the girl,” Edmund tells him.
“It’s wine, Edmund. People used to drink it on a daily basis. I’m not trying to corrupt her,” Cole retorts. Despite what he says, I feel like I am being corrupted. I’m not going to refuse it though, I still have the jitters and it will calm my nerves. Especially the new nerves brought on by meeting Edmund.
“True,” Edmund says and forces a small grin on his face.
Our meals come after that and we start to eat. I finish the glass of wine and Cole orders another one for me. While we eat Edmund bombards me with more questions, asking me a lot about Alex. Bringing Alex up, I can’t help but inform Edmund that he looks just like him.
“Really?” Edmund sounds intrigued.
“Seriously, add ten more years to Alex and you guys would be the spitting image of each other,” I tell him. Meanwhile, Cole has stopped eating and pushes his plate from himself, staring at Edmund. “Are you okay?” I put my hand on his knee and he grasps my hand.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He turns to me and gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’re right, there is a resemblance between them.” He eyes my plate. I’ve been pushing the food around for the past five minutes. “Are you finished eating?”
“Yes,” I say.
He nods towards my wine. “Finish the glass. I don’t want you being a nervous wreck while I drive.” He gives me a real smile this time. And as I did the last few times he told me to do something, I obey his command, noting that I am not doing it on my own, again.
The bill comes then, which causes Edmund and Cole to argue over who is going to take care of it. In the end Edmund wins by excusing himself to the bathroom and taking the bill directly to the waitress.
Cole turns to me with apologies written all over his face. “Can we have a do-over please? I’m sorry this night is not turning out the way we intended.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I tell him, pressing my forehead against his. “We got opera tickets out of the deal.” I smile at him, trying to cheer him up. I’m curious to know how he intended tonight to turn out but I’ll save the question for later.
Edmund shows back up at the table. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner. I
t has been such a pleasure to meet you. You are turning out to be an incredible woman. Your parents are definitely proud of you.”
“Thank you,” I respond. A little shocked that he would insinuate knowing what my parents thought.
“If I could talk to Cole alone for a moment? I won’t keep him away from you for long.” I nod my consent and he holds his hand out for me to shake again. “I look forward to seeing you again soon.” I release his hand and find he just handed me the opera tickets. He walks away quickly to the backdoor that leads to the boardwalk.
“I’ll be right back. Do you mind giving the valet the ticket while you wait?” Cole asks me.
“No, not at all.” I smile at him and he gives me a quick kiss on the lips. Our second sweet kiss. He hands me the ticket and then he hurries to catch up with Edmund.
I’m slow to collect my things as I try to read their body language while they talk outside. It’s the opposite of what it was when we were eating. Edmund now looks tense and angry and Cole looks defensive. I stop watching out of pity for Cole. If Edmund did raise Cole then Cole’s behavior to him was cruel and rude. Though I understand where Cole is coming from by having our date interrupted, he still shouldn’t have been so discourteous to Edmund.
I walk out of the restaurant, giving the hostess a smile when she gives me the ‘hope you have a good night’. I walk over to the valet and give him our ticket and watch him run off to fetch the car. I look toward the doors of the restaurant, anticipating Cole to walk out every time I see the door swing open. I’m waiting a good five minutes before I feel arms wrap around me from behind. I jump and turn around fast, gasping, “Oh my God.” I slap playfully at Cole’s chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”
“Sorry.” He sweeps little kisses across my cheeks as I close my eyes, savoring the feel of his lips and rubbing my face along the bristles of his stubble. He pulls back slowly. “The car is here.”
Chapter 6
Lunangelique (The Lunangelique Series) Page 6