by Tyora Moody
This was actually happening! I couldn’t have wrote a scene like this if I tried.
I beamed, “Dinner would be nice.”
5
It had been awhile since I went out on a date. I forgot the anxiety I went through with picking out an outfit. By the time I settled on one of my favorite outfits, a pink short-sleeved blouse and a long flowery skirt, I was hoping not to collapse due to my nerves. I was beyond butterflies in my stomach, but something was doing somersaults and making me shaky. I also hadn’t eaten much today, and I was sure that didn’t help. But I didn’t know why I was reacting this way. I’d seen Brendan on a number of occasions, and each time, he displayed interest. And I felt so comfortable around him.
That’s what worried me. This week, I’d managed to make myself paranoid. My thoughts were that maybe Brendan was too good to be true.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
I kept this Bible verse plastered to my bathroom mirror. Seems like a strange place to put a Bible verse but reading Proverbs 3:5-6 had a calming effect on me.
I shut my eyes. Lord, I don’t believe Brendan has shown up in my life for no reason. I believe you meant for us to meet and become friends. Whatever comes after that, I will trust you.
That was my problem in the past, I pushed ahead. I needed to continue to wait and see where God intended for this budding relationship to go.
I’d chosen to meet Brendan at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant. One glance at the clock by my bed made me realize I needed to leave in the next ten minutes. As I traveled down I-77, I could feel my body slowly becoming more relaxed.
I found a parking space at the SouthPark Mall, and to my pleasant surprise, Brendan was standing outside Maggiano's, glancing down at his phone. He must have sensed I was walking towards him because he lifted his head and turned on that bright smile. All the unease I felt seemed to have been replaced by giddiness.
I smiled back, “Hopefully, you weren’t waiting too long?”
“No, not at all. You’re right on time.” He held out his arm towards me. “Shall we head inside?”
I hooked my arm into his, drawing comfort in how well my arm nestled inside of his. Once inside, we were quickly seated near a window.
I ordered the four cheese ravioli, while Brendan opted for the baked ziti. We chatted a bit, but we both must have been famished, savoring our dishes in comfortable silence. The waiter inquired about dessert, and somehow Brendan talked me into ordering. He didn’t have to do too much convincing.
I wasn’t ready for the date to end.
We both ended up with New York Style cheesecake, and while we consumed dessert, he asked, “You write romance novels. Do you believe in love at first sight?”
His question stunned me. I swallowed before responding, “I believe that people know when they’ve met the right person.”
He agreed and sat back, “I think so too. I have to admit that I stopped dating for a while. It seemed kind of pointless.”
I know my mouth fell open. “You too?”
He snickered, “I take it you took a break too?”
I sighed, “I wanted to be around someone I felt comfortable with, someone I felt was committed to see where the relationship would go.”
He laid his fork down and wiped his mouth before looking at me. “God has perfect timing. I believe we want the same thing. I want to get to know you better, Nia. If you are okay with it, I’d like to ask you out again.”
I wiped my own mouth, hoping to control the goofy grin that had taken over my face. “I look forward to getting to know you, Brendan.”
We walked out of Maggiano's, and this time Brendan held my hand as he walked me to my car. He peered down at me, “Next time, I’d like to make dinner for you.”
I grinned, “That sounds like a plan, Chef. How about I bring our favorite apple pie?”
“Perfect. I’m looking forward to it. Next Saturday?”
“It’s a date.”
“Great,” he smiled back at me.
Before I climbed into my car, Brendan reached down and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek.
As I headed back home, my cheek warmed from the kiss. I thought about Brendan’s question. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Deep down, I knew he was the one I’d been waiting for, possibly from the first time I saw him inside Southern Delights. He wasn’t a man created from my imagination, but I believed God ordered our paths to cross at just the right time.
###
This week my mind wasn’t filled with unnecessary doubts. Brendan called me, and a few nights, I called him. We talked every night for hours. I teased him on Friday night, “So, what can I expect from the chef tomorrow?”
Brendan’s voice had dropped like he was about to share a great secret. “It’s a surprise, but I know you will love it.”
“You’re very confident.”
He chuckled. “I have made this meal a few times. It’s one of the first meals I experimented with when I started cooking seriously.”
“Well, I can’t wait.”
Saturday morning, I read my draft of Matters of the Heart for the last time before emailing the document to my editor. I knew the process was hardly finished. Once she sent her edits back, there would be another few weeks of reviewing the edits. I liked my male character, Donovan Anderson. Like the real man he was based on, he was also a financial advisor.
Still, Brendan was more desirable than the character I’d created this time.
He was the real deal, and tonight he was cooking for me.
Brendan lived in neighborhood with gorgeous townhomes. His was on a corner, making it easy to find. I parked near his black Audi and rang his doorbell.
He opened the door, dressed in another polo shirt and jeans. I determined this was his usual casual attire. I liked seeing him dressed down for the weekend.
He swept his hand elegantly, bidding me inside his home. “Welcome, my lady.”
“Thank you.” My lady. I liked that.
Brendan’s house was definitely a bachelor pad, but I liked his tastes. He had the typical large screen television in his living room that most guys loved. He opted for a black suede sectional that had numerous pillows each with an African inspired pattern. I glanced around to find framed photos of women who shared Brendan’s skin complexion and eyes.
“Your family?” I pointed towards the framed portraits.
“Yes, that’s my mother and my maternal grandmother. They passed away about seven years apart. Both strokes. It’s one of the reasons why I’m really self-conscious about my health.”
That made sense. I peered up at the women again, hoping they approved of me. I glanced around, thinking his home really represented his laid back personality.
“Come, you can have a seat at the table. I will be serving shortly.”
I took that moment to acknowledge the smells wafting from the kitchen. “Mmm, it smells delicious. I can’t wait to taste it.”
Brendan pulled out a chair at the table which was already set. My eyes fell on a centerpiece with several small lit candles.
This is by far the most romantic dinner I’d ever been invited to.
I waited for signs of doubts, but none came. I was going to enjoy this time with Brendan and enjoy the meal cooked by his hands.
I watched over the kitchen counter, trying to glimpse what he had prepared. “You don’t need my help?”
He shook his head, “Nope. This is me treating you. I just want you to enjoy.” He walked out with a basket of what appeared to be covered cornbread. Next, he brought out salads.
“I made a balsamic vinaigrette. Want to try?”
“Sure.” If Brendan was trying to impress me, I was thoroughly smitten, and we hadn’t even gotten to the main course yet. The salad was fresh and the cornbread was delish. “You made these too?”
He grinned. “Everything is from scratch.
I started this morning.”
“Wow.”
“Ready for the main course?”
“Bring it on.”
He set a steaming serving bowl in the middle of the table. When he pulled the top off, to my delight, the meal included large shrimp on top of creamy grits.
I eyed him. “Who told you my favorite meal was shrimp and grits?”
He chuckled. “I promise, no one leaked that information to me.”
“If you say so.” I scooped the shrimp and grits onto my plate and began to taste. “Oh this is scrumptious. You definitely need to consider being a chef for real.”
“I will settle for cooking for you for now.”
We enjoyed the rest of the meal, topping it off with one of my aunt’s pies, of course. I’d remembered to bring the apple pie. Brendan added whip cream to both of our slices, making dessert a perfect complement to the meal.
Brendan asked, “What do you think?”
“I think you are fabulous.” The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I added. “And I’m looking forward to becoming great friends and...”
He finished my sentence. “Much more.”
“Yes. I attend Victory Gospel Church on Sundays. You want to come?”
He smiled. “Sure, I would love to meet you for service.”
“My mom and Aunt Linda will probably be there. And they may act up a bit.”
“I look forward to getting to know them too.” He stood and reached for my hand. “I have a good feeling we’re heading in the right direction.”
I stood. “I agree.”
This time when Brendan leaned down, our lips touched.
And I reveled in my own sweet romance.
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Thank you for reading this Victory Gospel Short. Please consider leaving a review online.
If you are familiar with my books, you know I usually write mysteries and suspense. I decided to try out writing romance in short form. I have to say I’ve been enjoying writing these short stories.
Would you like more of this short story?
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] and let me know if you want to see this couple again. I love to revisit characters in future stories and I listen to my readers.
About the Author
Tyora Moody writes romantic suspense and mysteries with sassy women sleuths. When Tyora isn’t working for a literary client, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, binge-watching crime shows, catching a movie on the big screen, and traveling. To contact Tyora about book club discussions, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.
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