by S. J. West
Nina takes my hand with a small smile gracing her face.
“You should do that more often,” I tell her.
“Do what?”
“Smile. It makes you look more approachable.”
“Which is why I rarely ever do it,” Nina confesses. “I’ve never wanted to be approachable until now.”
“Then just flash that million-dollar smile of yours at Rafe, and he’ll be putty in your hands.”
“I hope so,” Nina says before phasing us down to the living room.
When we get there, I hear Zack and Chandler laughing. Rafe is sitting with them and telling them a story. I’m a little too far away to hear what’s being said, but I don’t need to hear it. I’m just glad to see my friends having a good time in a world that has so few of them.
“Hey, Jess is back,” Zack says to the others, standing up to greet me with a proper hug and kiss on the cheek after I walk over to them. “We heard you had some excitement today.”
“I guess you could say that,” I say, taking a seat on the couch beside Chandler. Zack sits on the other side of me.
“Rafe…” Nina says tentatively as she stands beside his chair.
Rafe puts the bag of chips in his hands down on the coffee table in front of him and stands to face Nina.
“Is something wrong?” he asks worriedly.
Nina shakes her head, making her long hair bounce around her shoulders slightly. “No, nothing’s wrong. Could I have a word with you in private?”
“Of course,” Rafe says, ever the gentleman.
As the two of them walk over to the bay window in the room, Chandler leans over to me and whispers, “What’s going on?”
“Shh,” I say, watching the interaction between Rafe and Nina intently. “If things work out, you’ll know soon enough.”
Nina and Rafe stand in front of the window. The last ray of the sun’s light shines through, giving them both a soft glow. Nina glances in my direction, and I give her an encouraging smile and nod. I see her take a deep breath before looking back at Rafe and saying something to him. I’m too far away to hear what’s being said, but I watch Rafe’s expression closely to gauge his reaction to being asked out by Nina. When I see him narrow his eyes at her, I begin to worry he might actually turn down her request. After Nina stops talking, Rafe says something to her and starts to walk away, but Nina reaches out and grabs his arm to stop him. Rafe turns back around to face her. With a great deal of earnestness, she seems to plead with him, like she’s trying to convince him of something. After Nina stops talking, Rafe just stands there, silently staring at her. Finally, he speaks, and I see Nina’s shoulders visibly relax. She nods her head at whatever Rafe tells her, and a true smile of happiness stretches her lips. Nina replies to Rafe and leans up to give him a tentative kiss on the cheek.
I suddenly wish I had a camera to capture the surprised look on Rafe’s face. He says something to her before walking back over to where we are. Nina looks in my direction and winks, letting me know that everything has worked out as planned. She phases away while Rafe rejoins us.
“What was that all about?” Zack asks Rafe as he sits back down in his chair.
“I just got asked out on a date,” Rafe says, looking completely stunned by the unexpected turn of events.
“Did you now?” I say, failing miserably at acting surprised. “Then why do you look like you just got hit by a Mack truck?”
“Because I feel like I just did,” Rafe confesses. “I’d pretty much given up on her even being interested in me. I chalked it up to being God’s way of telling me we weren’t meant to be together.”
“So what do you do on a date during the Apocalypse?” Chandler asks musingly.
“I’m not completely sure,” Rafe admits. “She said she wanted to take me to some places. That’s about all I know.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” I tell him. “As long as you’re with a woman you care about and get to enjoy some quiet time with her, I think it’s a win-win situation. Where did she go?”
“She said she wanted to get ready. I guess I should at least put on some clean clothes,” Rafe says, standing.
“Have a good time,” I tell him. “And try to concentrate on her tonight, Rafe. Don’t worry about the world. It won’t stop revolving if you take one night off.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Rafe says with his trademark smile.
After Rafe leaves the room, I stand up.
“Where are you going?” Chandler asks me.
“I’m betting Nina might want some help getting ready for her big date with Rafe,” I tell him and Zack. “She might need some reinforcement.”
I make way up to the second floor where Nina’s room is. A few seconds after I knock on her door, it’s thrown open by a panicked Nina.
“I have absolutely nothing to wear!” she declares, leaving the door wide open for me to follow her into the room. When I do, I whistle at the pure chaos that welcomes me. It literally looks like it’s been hit by a tornado. Dresses, pants, shirts, and shoes lie scattered on the floor, furniture, and even lampshades.
“How did you make such a mess in less than five minute?” I ask her in true amazement.
“War Angel,” she says, like I should have known the answer. “I can’t find one single thing that looks nice. Everything is just too old-fashioned.”
“Well, you know, we did bring our world’s most famous fashion designer with us. I bet if you ask her nicely, JoJo will help us figure something out.”
“Where is she?”
“Down in the kitchen.”
Before I can say another word, Nina phases. A few seconds later, she returns with JoJo in tow.
“Mon dieu!” JoJo says, looking at the mess in the room. “I can see why you need my expertise, Nina.”
“Do you think you can use any of these things? I honestly haven’t bought a new dress since the seventies.” Nina says, unconsciously beginning to nibble on the nail of one index finger.
“Everything old can be made new again,” JoJo reassures her as she begins to sift through the dresses on the bed. “Ah ha! I can do something with this, mon ami.”
JoJo holds up a short cocktail dress of black lace over red silk. It has a full skirt that is gathered at the waist, a fitted bodice, and capped sleeves. A swath of sheer black material encircles the waistline.
“Really?” Nina asks doubtfully as she eyes the dress. “I haven’t worn that since the fifties.”
“Oui,” JoJo says with a confident nod. “Now, phase me up to my design room so I can work a miracle for you.”
Nina walks over to JoJo and phases her away. When she returns, she says, “What do you think I should do with my hair?”
“What do you normally do to it when you go out?” I ask.
“I can’t say I’ve been on many dates,” Nina confesses. “Practically none, actually.”
“Come on,” I say, clearing some shirts off the chair in front of Nina’s vanity. “I’m sure we can figure something out.”
Forty minutes later, we have Nina’s hair up in a loose bun, and her makeup perfectly applied.
“I don’t usually wear this stuff,” Nina says, tugging at the upper lashes of her right eye, like the mascara is personally attacking her.
“You look great,” I tell her, swatting her hand away from her eye before she does real damage. “Just don’t fidget like that while you’re with Rafe. It makes you look weird.”
“Do you think JoJo is through with the dress?”
“Well, she said she was going to work a miracle,” I say. “Let’s go see if she has.”
Nina phases us up to JoJo’s workroom, and we find Gabe there, ironing JoJo’s creation for Nina.
“Wow,” Nina says in true amazement, walking over to the table where Gabe is standing, “you really can work miracles, JoJo. It’s beautiful! And just my style. Thank you so much for doing this for me.”
“My pleasure,” JoJo says while she searches through a d
rawer at her workstation. “Ah! Found it!”
I look over at her and watch her pull out my bracelet.
“I’d almost forgotten about that,” I say, walking over to her. As I look at the bracelet I ripped off because it burned my wrist, I ask, “Where’s the red ribbon that was woven in between the links?”
“I cut it out,” JoJo tells me, opening the clasp and holding it out so she can wrap it around my wrist.
“Why?”
“Because that was the part designed to warn you of danger. Now, you will not have to worry about it burning you again. I suggest you simply assume everyone here is dangerous. At least you will still be able to use it to tell you what people are feeling.”
“Thanks, JoJo,” I say just as she closes the clasp.
I walk over to Nina as Gabe holds the dress up for her to see.
Instead of being full, the skirt is now slim-fitting, and the cap sleeves are gone. JoJo kept the black lace over red silk but made a sleek, modern dress out of one that was older than Mama Lynn.
Nina takes the dress from Gabe and tells him, “Turn around so I can try it on.”
Gabe does as commanded and waits until Nina gives him the all-clear.
“Mon ami, you look gorgeous!” JoJo says happily, with a small clap of joy. “And do not worry. If he tears it off of you tonight, I can make you another one.”
Nina looks shocked by JoJo’s suggestion about how her date with Rafe may end.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “JoJo said that to me one time and all I got was kissed.”
“Eh, you Americans move far too slowly where love is concerned. Why, Gabe tore my dress from my body the very first night we were together.”
Gabe clears his throat. “TMI, sweetie.”
“Pfft,” JoJo says with a wave of her hand at Gabe. “It is not something to be embarrassed about, mon amour. More men should take lessons from you. You are a very virile lover.”
“JoJo…” Gabe says, looking uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation.
“Quoi?” JoJo asks innocently.
“I should probably go get some shoes,” Nina says, finding a good reason to leave.
“I’ll help you with that,” I say, taking advantage of Nina’s departure.
“Have fun tonight!” JoJo tells her. “And do not break Rafe’s heart, or I will never forgive you.”
“I won’t,” Nina solemnly promises before resting her hand on my shoulder and phasing us back to her room.
“JoJo’s a bit of a pistol, isn’t she?” Nina says with a smile.
“Yep. And I wouldn’t have her any other way.”
Nina must have a sixth sense, because she quickly finds a pair of black high heels underneath the mess on her floor.
“Mind if I ask you something?” I ask as she slips her shoes on.
“Sure. You can ask me anything.”
“Why did Rafe turn to leave when you were asking him out?”
Nina shakes her head slightly. “He thought I was giving him a pity date because he’d said he loved me. I had to convince him that I wanted to take him out because it was something I wanted to do.”
“Well, you know I wish you two the best of luck. Just let him see the real you tonight, Nina. All anyone wants is a person they can trust and who they know can be trusted with their deepest and darkest secrets.”
“I won’t hold anything back from him, Jess,” Nina vows. “I just hope he can handle it all.”
“Rafe’s tough,” I say. “He can pretty much take anything.”
“Come on,” Nina says, holding out her hand to me. “I’ll take you down to the kitchen before I go meet him.”
I take Nina’s hand and get a free ride to the kitchen. It seems that I’ve completely missed supper, because Mason is helping Malcolm wash the dishes in the sink.
“Well,” Malcolm says as he eyes Nina admiringly, “I never thought I would see you in a dress. Isn’t that against the War Angel code or something?”
Nina crosses her arms. “It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing, I could still beat you in a fight.”
Malcolm smiles at her. “Anytime, anyplace, Nina; I’m always ready and willing.”
Nina rolls her eyes at Malcolm and turns to me. “Thanks for everything.”
“Good luck, even though I don’t think you’ll need it tonight.”
Nina winks at me before phasing to meet Rafe.
“Were there any leftovers?” I ask as my tummy grumbles its protest at being denied food.
“I packed us up some food to eat,” Mason says, and nods at the picnic basket sitting on the kitchen island. “Rafe told me about his date with Nina, and I thought this might be a good time to have a date night of our own.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, feeling excited to have Mason all to myself for a whole evening.
“Hold on one sec,” Mason says, leaning over to give me a kiss. “I need to grab something real quick.”
Mason phases, but returns a few seconds later with a blue blanket tucked under one arm.
“Have fun,” Malcolm says to us as Mason grabs the picnic basket and I grab hold of his arm.
“Oh, we will,” I tell Malcolm.
“Don’t come looking for us unless it’s a life or death situation,” Mason tells Malcolm, making it sound more like an order than a request.
“Well,” I say to my husband, “this sounds like a promising adventure.”
Mason smiles at me. “Very promising.”
I tighten my hold on Mason’s arm, knowing exactly what I want as an appetizer.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
(NINA’S POINT OF VIEW)
When I phase into the living room, I find Rafe standing in front of the bay window, watching the setting sun. His back is to me, for which I’m grateful and breathe out a sigh of relief. I notice he’s changed clothes, and is now wearing a white dress shirt and black slacks, which fit rather nicely.
Breathe, Nina, breathe…. I remind myself.
I’ve never felt this nervous in my whole life, and I definitely don’t feel ready for him to turn around and see me yet. As I silently study Rafe, I have to wonder if he fully realizes how much this evening means to me. I feel as though I’m slamming shut the first volume in the story of my life, and tentatively reaching for the next one, to begin writing a new, brighter future for myself.
This is the first time since coming to Earth that I’ve allowed myself to imagine living a happily ever after kind of existence, but I also realize it isn’t a fate I can just will into being because I want it. Rafe has to want it, too. He holds my future in his hands, and that fact scares me, which isn’t something easy for me to admit. I’m not used to allowing someone else to decide what happens to me. Yet I’ve never had someone in my life that I trust more.
Since the moment we met, I felt drawn to Rafe in a way I’ve never experienced before. It wasn’t just a physical attraction, either. If it had been, it would have been easy enough to scratch that itch and be done with him. No, this was something on a totally different level, one I wasn’t completely sure I was ready to face. I tried to deny my attraction to him, but I quickly came to the realization that fighting what I felt was futile. Every time he glanced my way or smiled at me, I felt the icy barrier protecting my heart crack, allowing him an opportunity to see into my soul and discover the real me.
As if sensing my presence in the room, Rafe turns around to face me. A slow smile stretches his lips as his eyes seem to drink me in from head to toe. Without using words, I can tell by the pleased expression on his face that he appreciates the effort I made to look nice for him this evening. I send up a silent thank you to JoJo for making me a dress I actually feel comfortable wearing. Dresses have never been my favorite type of clothing to wear. They can be restrictive in a combat situation. I’ve fought all my life. I’m not sure I can do anything else, but, for Rafe, I’m willing to at least try to become more than I am.
“You look beautiful,” Rafe says to me, continuing to
smile that sweet smile of his. Never in my life have I ever met someone who is so sincere in everything he says to others. It’s one of his most attractive traits.
“Thank you,” I say, nervously running my hands down the sides of my dress, unsure what to do next.
Rafe takes control of the situation and walks to stand in front of me, keeping his eyes locked with mine.
“So,” he says with a disarming grin, “where are you taking me this evening?”
I hold my right hand out to Rafe. He doesn’t hesitate before placing his hand into mine, showing me his full trust.
I clear my throat, because I feel my nerves begin to get the better of me.
“I want to tell you a little bit about my past,” I tell him, feeling almost breathless from my nervousness about doing such a thing, “and I thought the easiest way to do that would be to take you to certain places that mean something special to me.”
I feel Rafe’s grip tighten.
“I would love that,” he tells me earnestly.
I swallow hard before saying, “I want you to know that I’m not proud of the things I’m about to tell you. I’m not even sure you’ll still like me after I tell you everything, but, if you’re going to understand me at all, you need to know about certain things I’ve done…and what I’m capable of.”
“I know your life hasn’t been an easy one,” Rafe replies, his brow crinkling slightly. “And nothing you tell me will make me think any less of you.”
“How can you say that?” I ask. “You have no idea what I’m about to tell you.”
“I know who you are in this moment, Nina,” Rafe says with certainty. “None of us should be judged solely on the things that we’ve done in the past. All any of us can do is learn from our mistakes, and grow from those experiences.”
“It’s easy enough to say that before hearing about the things that I’ve done,” I tell him, feeling my heart sink at the thought of sharing certain parts of my life with him.
“Then tell me,” Rafe urges, “and prove to yourself that you aren’t the person you once were.”
Without saying another word, I squeeze Rafe’s hand and phase us to the Sahara Desert, where my Earthly story began.