“I’m sorry. He stepped out to pick up some lunch for the guys. He should be back in a few minutes if you’d like to wait.”
She looked around the less than clean store portion of the garage. Posters of tires and car parts covered the walls that didn’t have the actual tires stacked up against them, and the smell of oil and exhaust permeated the air. Grimy folding chairs lined the back wall, and a gumball machine with melted contents sat at the end of the wood-paneled counter I was sitting behind.
Her expression registered disgust. “No, that’s all right. I’ll come back later.”
As she pulled on the door to leave, I said, “I’ll tell him you came by to talk to him.”
“Okay, thanks.” And she was gone. I wondered if she even knew that some jobs required getting dirty. After all, she didn’t consider my father to be a professional. Or maybe she didn’t know what a job was.
Dad returned with the pizzas and I informed him about Mrs. Sutton’s stopping by. He seemed disappointed that he had missed her visit. “I’ll give her a call. The part for her car came in.”
“Didn’t you change that last week?” I asked.
Panic washed over his face, followed by a blank expression. “That was a different part,” he snapped, before retreating into the garage with the boxes of pizza.
Each of the guys in the shop had two slices. I only had one, and I noticed my dad kept busy on cars all afternoon, almost as if he was avoiding me.
By three o’clock, I had won twenty-seven rounds of Solitaire on the computer, and had peeled off the nail polish from seven fingers. My head lifted reflexively when the little bell announced another customer. My heart thumped hard enough to knock me off my stool. Even though the air conditioner held the temperature at a steady 72 degrees the entire day, I felt warm.
“I thought I’d stop by before I went home to shower to make sure you didn’t change your mind about Saturday.” His voice was smooth and dreamy. A smirk appeared on his face.
I swallowed hard. “Oh, I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Good. Remember, six o’clock.” I nodded my acknowledgement.
Then the little bell rang again when he walked out the door. I could still see him from the window, but I missed him already.
***
I had been to the supermarket on each of the two days since he stopped by the shop, but I knew I wouldn’t see him because he now worked the night shift.
The days dragged until it was Saturday. Sunlight filtered through my white lace curtains, making shadow patterns on the edge of my bed. I threw back my blue comforter and got dressed in just a few minutes. The clock said seven A.M. Cutting Bryan off at the bathroom door, I made sure my hair and make-up were perfect.
Bryan was leaning against the wall outside the door when I finally opened it. “Your date isn’t until tonight. Why are you all dressed and ready to go now?”
I shrugged. “I’m not dressed for tonight, yet. I just can’t sleep.”
“Well, just because you’re ready, doesn’t mean time will speed up.” He pushed past me and closed the bathroom door behind him with a quick motion.
I didn’t care; I felt good. Deciding not to waste my energy, I decided to clean my room. Starting with my closet, I shifted, sifted, and plucked, tossing unwanted items onto the bed until I had space on the bar for some new clothes. I made a mental note to buy some cute, girly things next time I went to the mall. I wasn’t going to wear anything that made me look nerdy and unnoticeable ever again.
At the bottom of the closet, I lined up my shoes like little soldiers, and I pushed my left over school things neatly toward the side. Still a bit fidgety, I moved on to my dresser drawers, then my desk and bedside table. A quick swipe with a dust rag completed the change in my room from blah to ‘ah!’ By lunch, I had a large bag for donation to go to the local shelter. With nothing further to clean in my room, I found myself scrubbing the bathtub and wiping down the sink in both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms.
“Give the germs a chance to understand what’s happening,” Bryan said, as he walked by. “I’m going to work. See ya later.” He placed the hat for his burger uniform over his brown curls and he was gone.
I waved to acknowledge him, before going back to my task.
With nothing else to clean, I tried to immerse myself in the book I started the day before school ended. I stared at the same page for over an hour and didn’t read one word.
Chapter Fifteen
“Holy crap!” Bryan said when he came up to tell me that Rob was suffering through my father’s interrogation. His eyes bulged when he noticed the dress. Apparently, I had more than what the top of the dress could hold. “I didn’t even know you had girl parts.”
“It looks okay, right?” I asked looking down at the scooped neck of the simple black dress. Smoothing the short skirt, I looked in the mirror, and included a quick peek at the rear of my outfit. I slipped my feet into my plain black pumps, and then leaned over my bed to grab the matching purse.
“You might want to cover up while Dad’s still in the house. He’s not gonna let you go out with only half a dress on.” Before I could answer, he was gone.
Taking another look in the mirror, I decided Bryan was right. I didn’t want to sabotage the first date I ever had by wearing something Dad would deem inappropriate. Reaching into my closet, I yanked a black sweater from its hanger and shot my arms through it. I’d take it off the minute I was outside.
From the top of the stairs, I heard Dad talking to Rob. I had hoped the deep inhale of breath would cushion my overactive heart so that it wouldn’t do any damage to my ribs. I took the first step down. After that one, I couldn’t stop; I wanted to be near Rob.
My Adonis stood up from the couch the minute my feet touched down on the last step. He looked very handsome in his khaki slacks and blue buttoned-down shirt. His dark hair was neatly combed, and I could see his dimple from where I stood. From the recliner, my father’s eyes followed Rob’s line of sight. Unfortunately, he knew all too well what a teenage boy saw first on a teenage girl, and the dress I was wearing didn’t help.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Did I sound half as glamorous as any one of the movie divas that had used that line in countless Hollywood films?
He looked me up and down. His eyes drank me in. In a barely audible whisper, he said, “Wow!” That gave me wings to float through the rest of the evening.
Rob held his arm open to suggest we leave.
“Bye, Dad.” My father wore a blank stare.
Bryan was at the coat closet near the door. As we passed, he whispered something to Rob, but I couldn’t hear what it was. After Rob escorted me to his car, I asked him what Bryan’s comment was. He waited until I was buckled in, and then he walked to his side of the car.
Rob pulled the seatbelt across his body and placed the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life. He looked at me with a suggestive stare. “He told me he’d break my legs if I wasn’t a gentleman.” A mischievous grin told me the thought had entertained him. I tried to hold back my own smile, but I couldn’t contain it. I was glad to know I wasn’t the only one who thought about Rob’s behavior. Well, at least Bryan cared about me in his own way.
Although I’d never been on a date before, I knew that conversation was the norm; however, the butterflies in my chest pushed their way into my throat and blocked my words.
“I hope you like Italian,” he said, turning his head briefly to look at me. Even the short flash of his blue eyes caused a jolt of electricity that started in my middle, and extended to my fingertips and toes.
“Yes, Italian is one of my favorites.” Even though it was number three on my list, it would be my favorite from now on.
A valet parked the car, and we were seated immediately in a dark corner in the old-world style restaurant. The Maître‘d held the chair as I sat, and then offered me a menu. He handed one to Rob, too. I sat up straight and craned my neck to peek over the long, leather-bound list just to
watch Rob’s eyes move over the options of food.
“The chicken parmesan is excellent here,” he said without looking up. “And they make the best veal rollatini.” The waiter appeared just as he lowered the menu. They both stared at me.
“Chicken parmesan, please.” My voice was barely audible over the music playing in the background.
“I’ll have the same,” Rob announced, handing both menus to the waiter, who wrote the requests down and nodded.
“And to drink?” the waiter asked.
“Cola?” Rob asked me. I nodded. The waiter wrote it on his pad and disappeared.
Only my eyes moved around the room, the rest of me was stiff with nerves. My fingers fumbled with the edge of the white fabric napkin in my lap. My self-conscious nature took over when I noticed that Rob was staring at me.
“You look spectacular.” His voice was velvet, and a warm surge raced through my core.
My eyes looked downward at my fingers. “Thank you.” I knew my cheeks were red.
“I’m guessing you don’t get compliments much.”
Curiosity forced my head up. “Why do you say that?”
He smiled his confirmation. “Because you blushed when I said it.” The dimple was deep.
“I’ve never… I mean, other than my family, I…”
“I bet there are tons of guys who are thinking it when you’re near, even if they don’t say it. And, I hope you’ll get used to hearing it while I’m around.”
His sincerity made me feel confident. Not knowing what else to do, I looked back at my hands. “Thank you.”
The waiter appeared again, this time with a basket of bread. He placed it in the center of the table.
When he left, Rob grabbed a slice. “You’ve got to have some of this. It’s the best bread ever.” He handed me the bread. As daintily as I could with my newly self-manicured nails, I buttered it and took a small bite. A smile confirmed my agreement of the bread.
Several quiet moments passed between us, despite the busyness of my thoughts. Not only did I not know how to talk to this very handsome guy sitting across from me, but I didn’t know what conversation was appropriate for a date, having had no prior reference. The weather seemed like a lame topic, and I knew nothing about sports. Would he know literature? Should I talk about his job?
Rob swallowed his bit of bread. “Are you all right? You’re very quiet.”
“I… I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to do.” My cheeks grew hot.
“Just relax. Pretend we’re at the creek. I promise not to bite you.” The dimple appeared and I felt the corners of my mouth tug upward.
The waiter brought our salads, and Rob waited for me to begin.
After an internal debate, I decided to just come out and ask what I had been wondering every moment since the day in the park. “Why do you want to know me?”
His eyebrows arched high on his forehead and he stopped chewing. He dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin. Then, he paused a moment to collect the right words. “Well, I think you’re smart and talented, and very pretty.” He looked right at me. “And that dress makes me feel things I shouldn’t.”
I didn’t think it was possible, but I felt even warmer than before. Did they shut the air conditioner off? Trying to stay on track, I asked, “But you can have that with any of the other girls in town. Why me?”
Lowering his salad fork to the side of his plate, he gave me his undivided attention. “Other girls are superficial.” His tone was sharp. “They only want a trophy, not a meaningful relationship. They look at me and see decent looks and money.”
Now my eyebrows arched.
“See, you don’t act like you think of my parents’ money. But all of those other girls make it their business to know all about my worth. Their questions are always the same: Did I grow up in an affluent neighborhood? Did I attend private school? Does my family vacation in Aspen? What do my parents do for a living? Do I have a maid? They should just ask me for a resume and a W-2. Once they decide that my background is impressive enough, they move in to collect me–batting their eyes, flirting with me when they ‘accidentally’ bump into me on the street, or at the library, or the gas station. Hints of wanting to get to know me better are always the mask of their true intentions. Win the rich boy-toy and earn the envy of all the other materialistic people in the neighborhood. Forget he even has feelings. Even when I told you that I don’t have to worry about money, you didn’t ask or pry.”
When he saw me notice his fist, he lowered his hand to his lap. Sadness veiled his face.
I didn’t press him, but he continued. “I’ve lost too much to be used by such shallow girls. That’s not what I want in a relationship.” He lowered his voice and it was softer. “I don’t want to lose my dignity. My parents were killed not long ago, my house destroyed, and I’ve had to uproot myself and live with relatives–all while wearing a happy face and hiding what I’m really feeling. No one cares about the real me. They only want to use me–for looks, for money, whatever. I want to be with someone who cares about me for who I am.” His eyes looked into mine. “When I saw you that day at the deli counter, you didn’t try to be someone you weren’t. You didn’t act like you wanted to possess me. It was so cute the way you ordered something you didn’t even want just to save your own dignity. Until then, I didn’t realize how fake I’d become in order to convince people I was okay. You didn’t try to impress me with false pretenses. You were genuine… real. You were you. I was attracted.”
He took a sip from his water goblet. My shoulders were stiff, and I had to remember to let my breath out. I kept my focus on him and he continued.
“I finished my shift that night thinking I wanted that quality that I saw in you, the credence and self-acceptance I need. That kind of honesty is alluring.”
I contemplated his words. None of them seemed to fit. Certainly, I had never previously associated myself with any of those words before.
“You were intriguing. I had to find out who you were. I asked Eric, but he wasn’t sure. Then we ran into you at the park.” He let out a chuckle. He blushed with embarrassment as his eyes moved to his salad. “Sorry. This isn’t how I wanted our first date to go.”
What an idiot I’d been. I was awed by his description of me. He was hurting in so many ways. I understood what not having what you want meant. I reached across the table and gently laid my hand on his. I swear I saw sparks when I touched him. Searching his face, I willed him to look at me, and he did. Our eyes locked. A cyclone of emotions whirled inside me. No words were necessary. When he looked at me, it felt as if the fibers of our souls wound around each other.
Our moment was interrupted when the waiter brought our entrees.
Chapter Sixteen
I thought it best to change the focus of our conversation. Between bites, we continued to share information about ourselves: childhood experiences, best and worst birthday gifts, and ultimate dreams.
“I’d like to have a big family,” he said. “My mother experienced complications after my birth and couldn’t have any more children. I planned on giving her many grandchildren to make up for it.”
It was sweet the way he thought of his mother’s loss, even at such a young age. Then I thought of his loss. He was alone.
As the night moved forward, I relaxed, like I had done at the creek. I enjoyed every moment with him.
Too full for dessert, Rob motioned for the check. Then he took me home.
He insisted on walking me to my front door - a true gentleman. Bryan would be relieved. The moon hung brightly in the night sky, immersed in a sea of twinkling stars.
“They look like diamonds, don’t they?” I asked.
“Yes, very pretty.” I turned my head to look at him, but he wasn’t staring at the sky. He was looking at me.
Despite the fact that the only light that shone on us was from the night, I could see his eyes glisten. He turned toward me and put his hands on my waist. Energy surged through me at his to
uch. He raised his hands and cradled my chin. My heart was going for a world record, with my breathing trying for a close second. Entranced by him, I couldn’t look away. He lowered his head towards mine and closed his eyes. Tension mounted as I did the same. The scent of his cologne filled my nostrils, and my heart slammed against my ribcage. I lost track of everything when we connected. His lips were soft and warm . I felt my whole body weaken.
When our kiss ended and he pulled away, my head swam; I wanted more. My eyes searched his and he read me perfectly, obliging my silent request. The second time, I was more ready, and reciprocated with equal affection. My arms found his neck. He pulled me close. The contours of my body fit perfectly with his. I kissed him as if it were my last act on earth.
The porch light went on. Rob pulled away gently. His smile was wide, and both of his dimples were present. “That was very nice,” he whispered.
Every neuron in my body was active. I didn’t want to stop, but realized the light meant that my father knew I was home and was waiting for me to come into the house.
Rob’s breathing was just as heavy as mine. “Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked.
Is he kidding me? How could I not want to see him? “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Can we go to the creek? It’s beautiful there.”
I nodded.
“Thank you for going to dinner with me.” He leaned in again and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I wasn’t ready to let go, but felt his arms slip away from my hips, and his body pulled away from mine. He also knew my father was waiting. He walked toward his car without taking his eyes off me. Then he got into his beautiful Beamer and drove away.
Emptiness swirled up inside of me. I never wanted anything more than I did him. It would have been a sad moment if I didn’t know when I would see him again.
The front door flew open. My father stood inside the frame. “How was dinner?” His tone was no-nonsense.
Fractured ( Fractured #1) Page 8