by Liwen Y. Ho
Her cell phone rang, interrupting her visit to a river in Egypt, as she liked to call denial. She grabbed it off the counter and answered the call. “Hey Dannie.”
“So Abs, are you ready for your date?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She shifted her weight and leaned one hip against the counter. “Are you sure you can’t tell me anything more about the guy? You can’t say he’s handsome and leave it at that. I want details, lots of them.”
Danica chuckled. “I’ve told you everything I know. Well, almost everything. I don’t want to say too much though; that’ll take all the surprise out of it.”
“It’s already a surprise. That’s what a blind date is, other than possibly the most humiliating social experience I’ll ever have.”
“You’re being dramatic. Trust me. You’re going to have a good time. He’s a nice guy.”
She scoffed. “That’s what they say about criminals you hear about on the news. He seemed like such a nice guy. I never would’ve pegged him to be a—”
“Abby, stop! Please breathe. You have nothing to be worried about. Stop stressing yourself out.”
“How do you know me so well?” Abby took a deep breath and exhaled, her cheeks puffing up like a hamster’s stuffed with food. She crossed her eyes and shook her head at her own reflection. “It’s been so long since I’ve gone out with a man. And I hate first dates. Hate, hate, hate! There’s so much small talk about what you do for a living. Once they find out I’m a deejay, they start asking about all the celebrities I’ve met, and can I get them backstage passes to so and so’s concert. You didn’t tell him what I do, right?”
“Of course not. All I said was your name is Gail and you love pop music. He loves music, too,” Danica added with glee. “You guys already have something in common to talk about other than work.”
“Great, just great,” she replied with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. Squeezing her eyes shut, she inhaled deeply, hoping the extra oxygen would calm her nerves. When nothing changed, she lifted her lashes and cried out, “What was that verse again, the one you told me about not being anxious about anything?”
“Philippians 4:6-7. Don’t be anxious, be thankful, and present your requests to God. I’m paraphrasing, but that’s the gist of it.”
Abby nodded as she repeated the words to herself. “Easier said than done of course.” She winced, her stomach suddenly cramping up. “I don’t want to face rejection again.”
Danica’s voice grew soft. “I know. Believe me, that’s the last thing I want for you, too. Which is why I chose this guy for you. He’s mature for his age and he has a good heart.”
“Okay, now he sounds like an old man, an old but healthy one. How do you know him again?”
“Through Brandon, the guy I met at the bookstore. Zachary’s his brother.”
“Ooh, Brandon the romance author. How’s that going?”
“It’s … not. For someone who’s so romantic on paper, he’s kind of out of it in real life. I wish I were more outspoken like you. It’d make life so much easier if I could come out and tell him how I feel.”
“Girl, consider it a blessing that you don’t have a mouth like mine. You don’t have to worry about offending people left and right.”
“But it must be so freeing to be able to speak the truth.”
“It’s a blessing and a curse,” Abby admitted. “I’m trying to work on the latter though. I’m determined to put today’s sermon into practice. Starting with this date. I’m going to zip my mouth shut and for once, listen more than talk. Do you think I can do it?”
“Um, well, I think I know what I need to do tonight.”
“What?”
“Pray for you,” she answered matter-of-factly, before bursting out in a fit of giggles. “I’m so kidding!”
Abby rolled her eyes. “You’re lucky I love you, Dan.”
“I know. Love you, too, girl. I expect a full report later tonight.” She paused. “I will be praying for you though. For both of you to have a good time.”
“Thanks. Talk to you later.”
Later that evening, Abby arrived at a steak and seafood restaurant in San Francisco. She carried her black clutch with one hand, while the other held onto the cross hanging around her neck. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, nearly stumbling in her three-inch heels. Her cheeks warmed from embarrassment. She almost turned to leave, but the attendant spotted her.
The middle-aged man in a black suit waved her over. “Good evening, miss. Are you meeting a young man here?”
“I-I think so. It’s a blind date,” she confided in a low voice. “His name is Zachary …” She winced. With all the worrying she’d been doing over tonight, she’d missed asking Danica one important piece of information. “I don’t know his last name.”
“That’s not a problem.” He checked his appointment book and smiled. “Ah, you must be Gail.”
“It’s really Abby, but I go by Gail outside of work so people don’t associate me with—” She shook her head in chagrin. Her nerves had her blabbing like a fool to a total stranger. She really needed to calm down and focus. What was that verse again? Oh yes, be slow to speak. She noticed the attendant waiting for her to finish speaking. She cleared her throat and nodded. “Yes, that’s me.”
“Right this way.”
Abby followed him as he led her into the main dining room. She looked around the candlelit room and noticed several couples sharing intimate glances. The soft strains of a ballad played overhead and fresh flowers decorated each table. Everything about the place screamed—or whispered—romance. She loosened her grip on her necklace. This had to be a good sign, right? Only a decent guy looking for a commitment would pick a restaurant like this. Her eyes roamed the room, looking for a man sitting alone. She spotted one across the room.
The attendant turned back briefly and murmured, “The gentleman asked for a table in the corner. It’s more private and offers a view of the bay.”
She raised her brows. Wow, he was detailed and thoughtful, too? She nodded toward the man who had his head turned toward the window. “Is that him?”
“Yes. Are you ready?”
Good question. Was she ready? Abby chewed on her lower lip as she checked her date out. From what she could see, he appeared well-groomed. His dark brown hair was slightly wavy and cut short. He wore a light blue dress shirt paired with black pants that showed off a trim figure. And he was sitting up tall and straight. Wow. The guy even had great posture. So far, so good. She gave the attendant a quick nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good.” The attendant winked at her. “I think you’ll approve of his front view, too.”
Abby let loose a nervous giggle. She quickened her last few steps to the table and waited as the attendant called for her date’s attention.
“Sir, your date is here,” he announced. “Your server will be by in a few minutes.”
The man turned around and murmured his thanks as the attendant left. He rose to his feet to greet Abby.
As soon as Abby saw his face, her jaw dropped. No. Freaking. Way! Gone were the bleached blond highlights and round baby face, but she’d recognize those gorgeous green eyes anywhere. They belonged to the boy in the poster that she used to stare at every night before she fell asleep. Now they were fixed on her and causing heat to rise from her neck all the way up to the tips of her ears. She blinked quickly. What was the star of her favorite boy band, Heartland, doing here? Aiden Spark was her blind date?
Chapter Nine
Aiden
When Aiden saw his date, his heart almost stopped. Mandy? He grasped the edge of the table, the linen tablecloth bunched up in his hands. He stared at her beautiful face for a moment before dropping his gaze. He shook his head. This woman had the same dark hair, oval face, and olive complexion, but she wasn’t his old girlfriend. She came pretty darn close though. He’d always wondered what Mandy would look like if she were still alive, but he didn’t need to wonder anymore
. Whoever this woman was, she was the spitting image of her, wild hair and all.
He smirked, remembering how Mandy used to complain about how long it took to curl her hair. That was before she lost it and— He realized the woman was looking at him curiously. He quickly rose to his feet and extended his hand. “H-hello. I’m Zachary. You must be Gail? Please, sit.”
She nodded and took the seat across from him at the round table. She fidgeted with her necklace before meeting his gaze. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Aiden was surprised at the tone of her voice. It was soft and sweet, almost breathless. Which was a good word to describe how he felt. He still couldn’t get over how much Gail resembled Mandy. He found it hard to tear his eyes away, but he forced himself to. He handed her a menu and opened his own. “I hear the salmon is good here. I don’t know if you like seafood or not.”
Gail smiled enthusiastically as she perused her menu. “I do. I’ll try the salmon.”
“Great. Are you ready to order?” When she nodded in response, he called their server over. The young man filled their water glasses and took their order. When he left, Aiden directed his attention back to his date.
Seeing Gail did something to him. For the first time in a long time, he felt his spirits lift. He’d been so used to feeling sad, as if a dark rain cloud hung over his head all the time. Only recently did he start to feel something else—namely, annoyance. And it was all because of that deejay, someone he realized with dismay he was thinking about again. But today, right now, he felt excited, almost giddy. His heart seemed to thump stronger than usual, reassuring him he was still young and alive.
What an odd thought. He was nowhere near retirement, but he’d been feeling as weary as an old man. He should’ve been exactly the opposite—excited about life and looking forward to the future. Should, being the optimum word. A lot of things—his dreams, even his faith—had died a decade ago, along with Mandy. However, meeting Gail tonight not only gave him a sense of déjà vu, it brought him a renewed sense of purpose. Life wasn’t over yet. For some reason unknown to him, God was still granting him breath. Maybe even a second chance at love? He pushed the thought aside. One step at a time. He needed to get to know this woman first.
“So, tell me about yourself. You’re friends with Danica?”
“College roommates. Now best friends.” Her eyes grew wide, and she grabbed her glass of water and took a long chug.
Was she nervous? He’d met so many female fans who’d had trouble talking in his presence, he recognized the signs. The slight tremble in their voices, the inability to maintain eye contact, and the way their cheeks flushed when they snuck a glance his way. Check, check, and check. Gail had all the symptoms. Plus, an obsession with her necklace. She held onto the cross hanging from the chain like it was a lifeline. Perhaps it could be an icebreaker topic, a means to calm her nerves. He hated to see her so uncomfortable.
He pointed to her neckline and casually asked, “Are you religious? I noticed you’re wearing a cross.”
She opened her fist and nodded. In the next instant, she shook her head. “Not religious. I follow God, not rules.”
“I see.” He appreciated her straightforward response. She seemed to understand what faith was about; that made one of them. “That’s an interesting answer. Don’t you sometimes think though, it’d be easier to follow a list of rules?”
She took another gulp of water and pursed her lips. “Why do you say that?”
She was breathing like a normal person now. That was a good sign. Aiden decided to do his part and give her more than a pat answer. “Well, then we’d know exactly what we did wrong when we get punished. God says don’t do A. You disobey and do A, then you get B, your punishment. So, if you don’t want B, then don’t do A. It makes everything nice and clear, don’t you think?”
“I …”
Before Gail could continue, he was already on to his next point. “But you see, if there are no rules to follow, you won’t ever understand why you got B. Was there something I was supposed to do that I didn’t do? Did God have a bad day and decide to take it out on me? You just don’t know.”
Gail opened her mouth, then shut it. She seemed to be holding back on saying what she really felt because she chewed on her lower lip until it turned white. After a moment, the line between her brows disappeared. “Tell me more.”
“More?” Aiden blinked, not sure he heard her right. “You want to hear more about what I think?”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes. Please, go on.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, chagrined. This woman was something else. Instead of telling him to be quiet or throwing a generic answer his way, she wanted to hear more. Not only did Gail resemble Mandy physically, she had the same heart as well. Supportive, patient, and kind. He swallowed hard. If he didn’t watch out, he was going to fall for Gail—hard. “Um, thanks for the offer. It’s been a while since someone cared enough to listen. My brothers try to, but you know how guys are.”
“I wouldn’t know. I only have a sister, and the guys I’ve known didn’t stick around very long.” She shrugged. “Enough about me. You were talking about your brothers?”
“Well, I’ve got four brothers and they’re more comfortable offering solutions than a shoulder to cry on—not that I’m going to start crying on yours.”
“I wouldn’t mind. I’d be honored to have you cry on me.” Her cheeks flushed, making her look like a shy, young girl. “That came out really weird. I don’t usually go around offering my shoulder to men. I’m just excited to meet you.”
Aiden nodded with a knowing smile. “Danica told you who I am, didn’t she?”
“She didn’t, but I recognized you when I saw you. You look the same as the last time you were on the Grammys.”
“The same?” He chuckled. “You’re being kind. It was over ten years ago. I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten older.”
“Your voice has. It’s a lot deeper and fuller.”
“That’s a nice way of saying I don’t sound like a teenage girl anymore.”
She grinned. “I liked how you were able to hit those high notes. No one else in Heartland sang like you.”
“Because the rest of them went through puberty a lot earlier. My only saving grace was the fact that the fans seemed to like it. It was hard for my band mates to make fun of me when there were girls screaming my name.”
“I bet.” She paused and narrowed her eyes. “It’s none of my business, but why did you agree to a blind date? I imagine you could date anyone you want.”
She sure thought highly of him. That, or she had some big misconceptions. “A lot’s changed since I left the band. People haven’t paid attention to me in a long time. As you can see, no one’s lining up for my autograph anymore. Not that I want them to,” he added quickly. “I’m done with that part of my life. I like my privacy.”
“But what about the music, the performing?”
He shrugged. “I do miss it sometimes, but I’m out of practice. Honestly, I haven’t picked up a guitar since that Grammys show.”
“Are you serious? But you were amazing at it. The songs you wrote were the best. They get requested all the time at—on the radio. I still listen to Heartland’s greatest hits album.”
“You do?” Their eyes met across the table, and Aiden was surprised at the connection he felt. He’d never believed in love at first sight, but the spark between them was too strong to deny. Maybe the theory did apply in this case. After all, Gail resembled Mandy in so many ways, it was almost like he’d known her for half his life. And, he discovered with a contented sigh, he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. He liked who he was when he was with her. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Maybe I’ll start playing again. Just for fun.”
She smiled. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
The server arrived to deliver their food, forcing them to break off their gaze.
Aiden enjoyed watching Gail’s reaction as her plate was set before
her. The way her eyes widened upon seeing the artistic plating of the salmon and vegetables delighted him. He responded in a similar fashion when his own meal of prime rib and potatoes was placed on the table. The smell of spices reached his nose, causing his stomach to growl. His appetite had been returning in the last few days, and today was no exception. The delicious meal, plus the company of a beautiful and sweet woman, was sure helping to bring him out of his funk. He felt so energized, he considered saying grace. After all, he was thankful for the meal. He didn’t need to have everything figured out to tell the Lord that.
“I can pray for us.”
“Sure, thank you.”
He bowed his head and closed his eyes. The words came to him from rote memory as he murmured a quick word of thanks. When he looked up, Gail offered him an appreciative nod as she picked up her fork.
The two of them sat in silence as they ate. There was no awkwardness though; it was what Aiden remembered experiencing with Mandy, a comfortable calmness of being with an old friend. He stole a glance Gail’s way as he cut into his steak. He didn’t realize he’d been staring at her until she stopped eating.
“What’s wrong?” She covered her mouth with one hand. “Do I have food on my face?”
“No, you’re fine. I can’t get over how much you remind me of someone I used to know.”
“I hope it’s in a good way,” she murmured, her mouth now hidden behind her cloth napkin. Her brows drew together as she added, “And not because I’m a messy eater.”
“You’re not messy at all. In fact, you look beautiful.”
Flustered, she lowered her gaze. “You don’t have to say that.”
“But I mean it.” He lowered his voice as he confided in her. “I was feeling nervous about coming here tonight, but as soon as I saw you and we started talking, the nerves went away. I’m really happy to be on this date with you, Gail.”
Her eyes lit up. She dropped her hands to reveal a look of relief and joy on her face. “Same here. I’m so happy, too,” she gushed, before punctuating her statement with a wide grin.