by Mya O'Malley
The hostess picked up and cheerily asked if she could help him. “Yes, do you have a table tonight for two, say around seven-thirty?”
“Um, let’s see. It’s usually best to make a reservation a few days in advance, we fill up quickly.”
“Yes, I know. It’s kind of last minute, but special.”
“I see. Let me see what I can do for you. We had a cancellation for eight-thirty. Would that work?”
“I’ll take it.” It was Saturday night, he was up for a late dinner if she was. He would give her a call in a minute to check if that was okay with her. Confirming the time, he figured that he could pick her up around seven forty-five and then they could grab a quick drink at the bar before being seated.
Catching up on some recent unit assessments, he had a hard time focusing on mathematics. After sitting through correcting about thirty exams, Shane finally called it quits for now, the rest could wait. Thinking about the lesson plans that were due next week, he sighed. Enough work for now. Rubbing his hands together, he thought about Annie and figured that nothing could ruin his good mood. That was, until he got a text message.
Hope that little scene the other night didn’t land you in too much trouble.
Lori.
What was he going to do about her? It seemed she wasn’t going away. He would think about that later, right now he was determined to let nothing ruin tonight. Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed the piece of paper and programmed it into his cell. It was kind of nice to see Annie’s name in his contact list. He hit send and waited for her to pick up. Several rings later, she answered. Was it possible that he missed her already? She had the sweetest voice.
“Annie. It’s Shane.”
“Hey, Shane.”
“How are you? I mean since I left you not long ago…” It had been ages since he felt tongue-tied around a woman, if ever. Even Jana, his ex-girlfriend whom he dated for five years, had never stirred such feelings in him.
“I’m good. Real good, as a matter of fact.” Something about the way she said it made his heart speed up.
“I wanted to know if eight-thirty is too late for you to eat? I could pick you up at seven forty -five and then we could get a drink at the bar before eating…” There he went again, rambling on.
Annie tried to stifle a laugh, but couldn’t contain herself. “That’s wonderful. Where are we going?”
“I thought that we could go to Rena’s, but this time we could do it right and go together.”
“That sounds great!” Annie seemed genuinely excited.
“And if you’re lucky, just maybe I’ll meet you in the bathroom again.” With a wide grin on his face, he couldn’t resist.
“Oh, behave yourself.” she chided playfully.
“Never. Would you like me to pick you up?”
She hesitated a moment before answering. “Sure, Shane. I’d like that.”
“I can’t wait.” He hung up the phone feeling like a schoolboy, nervous, anxious and excited.
* * * *
He thought he should change his cell number. He hadn’t heard the last from Lori, he could feel it in his bones. Yes, he would call the cell company and get a new number right away. He called and was instructed to make the change online, as there was no cost for the service that way. He probably should have made the change before calling Annie, now he had to explain why he changed his number, as she now had his number on her caller ID. But now Lori wouldn’t be able to get in touch with him. Nick had also assured him that Lisa had another talk with Lori and she stated she was feeling down when she sent the last message and wouldn’t be contacting Shane again.
Taking extra time and attention to dress for his date with Annie that night, Shane showered and actually caught himself singing a favorite old blues song. He decided dressy casual would be the way to go once again for Rena’s. Black slacks and a chocolate brown sweater fit the bill. Spritzing some of his favorite cologne on, he checked himself in the mirror.
“Do not mess this up tonight.” He spoke to himself, enunciating each word carefully.
He flicked the lights off in the house and locked the door, checking it behind him. Starting up the car, he sat and rubbed his hands together. It would have been a good night to warm up the car, but it was too late now. He programmed his favorite band on the dashboard menu and grabbed the notepaper he had used to copy down Annie’s address. He knew exactly where she lived; he had once had an aunt who lived in that apartment complex. It was a nice complex, just about ten minutes away. Apartment number two hundred one, here I come, thought Shane.
With sweating palms, he walked up the sidewalk to apartment number two hundred one. He gathered his courage and rang Annie’s doorbell. All the while his feet were tapping on the ground. It took about thirty seconds for her to answer. He couldn’t believe the sight before him. Annie was decked out in a little black dress. It was classic and sexy, all at the same time. She had black, strappy heels on and a long silver necklace that just brushed across her chest, accentuating her amazing figure.
“Wow. You are stunning.” He pronounced each word with great emphasis.
“You’re not bad yourself, Shane.” He loved the way his name sounded coming from her soft lips. Get your head in the game, man, he told himself. He leaned over and kissed her gently, never meaning to have the kiss turn into anything but a greeting. Somehow, though, whenever it came to Annie, he was helpless at reigning in his self-control. The kiss went from soft and sweet to fast and passionate. His hands reached for Annie and pulled her closer, breathing heavy, unable to stop.
It was Annie who pulled away first.
“We’re not even inside my apartment, what will the neighbors think?” She laughed, straightening her dress.
“Sorry, Annie. I just can’t seem to help myself around you. Sweetheart, you look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks.” She twirled slightly, red heat slowly spreading to her cheeks.
“I would invite you in, but I think we’re going to be late.”
She was just being polite and he knew it. It would be nothing but trouble if she invited him in.
Offering Annie his arm, he escorted her to his car. He opened the door for her and closed it after she slid inside. She leaned over and opened the door for him. A wide grin spread across Shane’s face as he joined Annie in the car.
“What kind of music do you like?” He inquired as they rode along. “I have it all.”
“Oh, I don’t know…I have eclectic taste.”
“Good. So do I. Here…look thorough the menu.” He showed her how to navigate through the various artists.
“You’re not kidding. Look at this, you go from rock, to country, to heavy metal.” Giggling, she cast her eyes up at him. He placed his hand on her thigh as they drove along in a comfortable silence, listening to an old, sad blues song.
The restaurant appeared before them, every bit as charming as Shane could hope for. He asked Annie to wait as he got out of the car and hurried to open the door for her. He wanted to do this the right way, from beginning to end.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He took her hand and led her up the winding path to Rena’s rustic front door. The hostess greeted them. It was the same redhead from the other night. Putting on her saccharine smile, she led them to a quaint table in the corner of the room overlooking the river. A waiter came by to take their drink order. Shane ordered a bottle of the recommended house Pinot Noir.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, does it? Beautiful view, beautiful woman.”
Annie blushed. Not meaning to embarrass her, Shane was apologetic. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything…”
“No, don’t be silly.” As if brushing the foolish thought aside, she swiped her hand in the air.
“But it’s true. I’m a lucky guy.”
“I’m beginning to think I’m the lucky one.”
Their waiter, an older man with short, black hair appeared, carrying two long stemmed wine glasses and
the bottle of wine. He opened the bottle and poured a small amount of the wine into Shane’s glass. Shane laughed, feeling funny about tasting the wine, all eyes upon him. He swirled the wine in his glass and finally took a taste.
“Mmm. A good year, we’ll take it.”
Annie giggled at Shane’s little display, apparently loving every minute of the performance. The waiter filled Annie’s glass about halfway and then filled Shane’s glass. Asking if they wanted any appetizers, Shane picked out the evening special, the fresh mozzarella cheese and tomato platter. Leaving the couple to enjoy their wine, the waiter promised to come back in a minute to take their dinner order.
“To both of us, being lucky.” Shane raised his glass, toasting.
They clinked glasses, and sipped their wine. Dinner was delicious. Shane ordered a veal parmesan; Annie chose the eggplant parmesan with penne. The homemade sauce reminded Shane of his mother’s recipe.
“So, what’s a beautiful girl like you doing all alone?” Shane got serious for a moment.
Annie squirmed in her seat as Shane realized his mistake. Weren’t people supposed to keep things light on a first date? No mention of exes, religion, family problems?
“Sorry, it’s none of my business.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m divorced. His name was Greg and it just didn’t work out.”
This was refreshing. Usually women bashed their exes, which was never a good sign, especially on a first date.
“I see. Well, how about we save that story for a different time.” He was impressed with Annie’s integrity.
“How about you? What’s your story? How is it that you’re still single? Have you ever been married?”
Shane got lost in another time for a brief moment; thinking about his ex, Jana, always upset him, even all of these years later. He went back in time and saw himself making the purchase that he had been saving up for all the years they had dated. He had picked the perfect ring; it was small, but classy. He had planned the evening out to its fullest detail, but when he surprised her at her home, she was with another man. A man that she talked about, he was a friend from work, just a friend. Never again, he told himself at the time, never again would he allow a woman to have that much power over his heart. He had stood by his promise to himself, always keeping his dates just out of reach…until now.
“I’ve never been married. How about we keep that story for another time, also.”
“It’s a deal.”
Shane and Annie delved into their childhoods. Shane found himself telling stories that he had almost forgotten about. At one point, the two were in fits of laughter, thinking about Shane as a small boy, in the principal’s office for letting his family dog into the school. His dog, Phillip, a scruffy poodle, was found wandering the hallways, searching for Shane, whom he had eventually found in his second grade homeroom.
“Oh, my. I can just picture it.” Annie wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes.
A sobering thought slammed into Shane’s head; another memory in which he was also in the principal’s office recently. He figured he should probably tell Annie about Lori and why he had to change his number. He started from the beginning, stating just the facts, not his opinion of that dreadful woman.
“Wow, that’s awful! And you only went on a few dates with her? I don’t understand.” Annie peered at him with her beautiful hazel eyes.
“I don’t understand, either. We didn’t do anything, scout’s honor,” he offered up.
“You don’t need to tell me even if you did, that’s your business.” She looked away, pulling nervously at her long hair.
“I swear, Annie. She worries me, though.”
“I can see that. Listen, she doesn’t have your number anymore, so let’s just hope for the best and forget about her.”
It sounded like good advice. Time to get this date back to a positive vibe. Shane and Annie skipped dessert, but enjoyed a cup of coffee together. The lights flickered as Shane glanced up and noticed that the restaurant was closing. He had gotten so wrapped up in Annie and their conversation he hadn’t even realized the restaurant had thinned out. There was only one other couple seated across the restaurant finishing up their dessert.
The waiter came by with the check. Annie reached for her bag, offering to pay her half. Shane thanked her, but assured Annie that it was on him. Offering his arm, Shane led Annie out of the restaurant. He opened the door for her and she reached over to do the same for him once more.
The ride home was filled with soft music crooning from the car’s speakers. Shane held Annie’s hand and kissed it from time to time. He wanted to play his cards right with Annie so he knew when it came time to drop her off, he wouldn’t go inside with her, as much as he wanted to. This one was worth waiting for. Besides, something about Annie told him she felt the same way.
Reaching her apartment complex, he stopped the car and shut it off. Annie stepped out of the car before Shane could come over to open the door for her.
“Oh no you don’t.”
“Shane! I can let myself out of the car, thank you, though. I appreciate the gesture, I do.”
“Okay, at least let me walk you to the door.” He reached for her hand as they walked up the pathway to her door. Neither spoke. Words were not necessary. When they reached her front door, Annie stopped and faced Shane.
“I had a great time, Shane. The best I can remember in a long time. Thank you.”
“I did, too. Can I see you again?”
“Yes, I’d like that. Listen, I would ask you in, but…”
He didn’t let her finish, sweeping her up in a long kiss. He couldn’t let her go. Running his hands through her long hair, he finally released her.
“I don’t want to let you go.” He was lost in her hazel eyes, which were now dark and turbulent, like the stormy sea.
“I know.” She whispered, looking up at his full height.
“You’re different. I can feel it. Let’s do this right.”
She nodded, saying a last goodbye before closing the door her.
He couldn’t leave. It was like the moment she disappeared from his sight, he felt he would lose her. He reached over and rang the doorbell. The door opened instantly. He gently pushed open the door and let himself inside Annie’s doorway,
“Shane, I…” But, she advanced upon him and they melted together again, unable to separate for what seemed like hours.
“I have to go.”
“I know.”
Annie closed the door and Shane glimpsed back at Annie, peeking through the window blinds. He blew a kiss and she returned it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Annie stood, peeking through her window at Shane. He was walking back to his car, retreating further from her line of sight. Sinking to the floor, she sat fingering her necklace and thought about the evening. It couldn’t have gone any better, but still… there was something about Shane. Something intense. He had been hurt before, there was more to his story. And why was that Lori woman so upset with him after only a few casual dates? Annie had been hurt before, too. Visions of Greg, being caught in his numerous lies, the shouting, the screaming, his final confession about his girlfriend. Yes, this felt like it was love at first sight with Shane, but Annie was smarter than that. She would go into this with one eye open, trusting only her heart to guide her.
Cleo found Annie still sitting on the floor. He circled around her and meowed.
“Okay, time to go to bed.” Cleo rubbed against Annie’s ankles, purring away like a motor.
“I would never forget your bedtime snack, Cleo.”
It was late so Annie decided to forgo the usual reading time before bed and just hit the sack. She plugged her cell phone charger into the outlet and placed her cell on the bedside table. Reaching over to tuck herself in, she heard a text go off on her cell.
I had a really nice time tonight. I’m looking forward to many more. Shane
Annie felt like a teenager.Grabbing her cell, she pulled it from the ch
arger.
Thank you for a great evening. I would like to see you again, too.
Good night, beautiful.
Good night.
I miss you already, Annie.
Me too.
Annie’s head might be telling her to be cautious, but her heart was telling her to enjoy herself, to throw caution to the wind. Right now, she was on cloud nine. Falling asleep with her head on her pillow and a smile on her face, Annie slept soundly.
* * * *
“You just have to meet me now at the diner,” Annie squealed into her cell.
“Annie, honey. It’s seven-thirty in the morning! It’s Sunday, my day to sleep in. Go back to bed!” Sam whined, her voice husky from sleep.
“I can’t sleep! Come on, I need you!”
“Oh, man do you owe me.” Annie hung up her cell and jumped out of bed to shower and dress. She placed her cell on her docking system and found one of her favorite artists. Singing along and dancing as she brushed her teeth, Annie couldn’t remember feeling better. That nagging voice from last night was nowhere to be found. She grabbed her coat and locked the door behind her. Just seeing the parking spot where Shane had parked last night brought back the memory of the kiss they had shared in the doorway. Boy, could Shane kiss! She was practically swooning at the thought.
Driving over to the diner, Annie remembered she had to program Shane’s new number into her cell. She reached the next red light and quickly added him to her contact list. It was strange that Shane would have to go through such lengths to change his number after only a few dates with that woman. Picturing Lori at the vet, her eyes glaring as she witnessed the interaction between Shane and Annie, made Annie uncomfortable. Can you imagine just walking into a vet appointment, uninvited, with someone you barely knew? What kind of crazy person was this? Or, was there more to the story? No, Annie had promised herself that she would take Shane’s word and trust him about his. Shaking off any lingering thoughts, Annie reached to turn the radio up higher and sang along to the lyrics.