"My junior year in high school, I took an economics class where they gave us fake money to invested in the stock market. I became a bit addicted. What can I say? I'm a little competitive. With my father’s help, I started actually investing my yard money and did pretty well for myself. I put myself through college that way. I didn't live lavishly, but I didn't have to work except for when I went home during the summers.
"What I'm saying Jess is, I get it. I understand the way you grow up can affect your views on things today. But I need you to understand, that is precisely why we are sitting here right now. I'm on a date with a sexy woman, so I'm going to drive my nice car and take her to a delicious restaurant, where she is going to order the most expensive thing on the menu. And I'm okay with that, because I work hard so I can afford these moments. Trust me, gorgeous, this moment is totally worth it." He stops talking, and rubs his thumb ever so slightly across my cheek.
"Now, come over here and give me a kiss so we can go eat."
I breathe a sigh of relief for how Brett laid it all out for me. That could have been a really uncomfortable conversation for me, but he made it easy. He made it something light, and moved on quickly. So I lean into him, showing my gratitude with a passionate kiss. Which leads to another kiss. Which leads to us making out in his car like teenagers for a full fifteen minutes.
"Jesus, woman, we're going to miss our reservation." He smiles against my lips when my hands make their way under his shirt.
His words cause me to laugh and I hear him suck in a breath. I look up and find him watching me with a look on his face that I don't completely understand. It's one of adoration, longing, and most of all, peace. If I thought he was sexy before the look on his face, now is enough to set my body on fire. It takes every ounce of my will power not to launch myself into his lap and rip his clothes off, in such a way that would make Kara proud. Instead, I pull down the visor mirror, dabbing my makeup and correcting my smeared lipstick.
"I'm ready when you are."
"Oh gorgeous, I'll never be ready, but I should probably feed you before I ravage you." His words hold a certain amount of promise that make me wish I brought a spare pair of panties. Before I can over-think things, or ask him to skip dinner, he gets out of the car walking around to open my door. Tightly taking hold of my hand, he guides me into the over-priced restaurant.
DINNER WAS amazing. Despite Brett's encouragement, I didn't order the most expensive thing on the menu. I settled for a small fifty dollar steak and thirty dollars’ worth of baked potato and side salad. He was the perfect gentleman. When I told him I didn't drink red wine, he ordered us a bottle of white, even though the waiter informed him it wasn't a good pairing for our dinners. Brett very kindly ignored his suggestions, and finally told him to bring us beers instead. As dinner was nearing an end, he asked the one question I had been expecting since he picked me up.
"Tell me where you learned to bowl?" He asks pushing his empty plate away and reclining back in his chair.
"Ugh, you're not seriously going to make me tell you this story are you?"
"Of course I am. The fact that you don't want to tell me only makes me that much more curious."
"Fine, one of the bowling professors was, um...very attractive. Kara and I took every class he offered until one day, his equally attractive boyfriend showed up to take him to lunch." Just as I expected, Brett throws his head back in laughter.
"Wait, let me get this straight, you paid to take bowling classes just because the instructor was good looking?"
"Pretty much. Well, I didn't pay for them. I was on a scholarship. So technically, the college paid for them."
"Scholarship?" His eyes perk in surprise.
"Yeah, I had an academic scholarship until I got my first degree."
"Wait, you already have a degree?"
"Yep, I have a bachelors and two associate degrees."
"Wow! What are you still doing in school then?"
"I didn't exactly think my Bowling Alley Management degree was going to take me very far in life. Honestly, I'm a little creeped out by all the sweaty shoes. I learned to enjoy the sport from my cute professor, but I'm not cracked up to spend forty hours a week in a bowling alley."
"Oh my God, you really did hustle me yesterday." His loud accusation makes me playfully bite my lip and look away. "Shit, that's even hotter than the dress." I barely hear him mumble to himself.
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"No, please don't apologize. Who else knows about this little skill of yours? I believe Caleb needs to join us next time for a bowling excursion. You can win back some of my money he stole in poker last month. You'll be like my own secret weapon." I barely contain my excitement as he talks about future plans together. Just the idea of a second date brings an instant smile to my face.
"Judging by that smile, I think you like the idea of hustling Caleb too. I've got to tell you babe, I like that a lot." He flirts, and we both start laughing.
When the check arrives, Brett doesn't even look at the total. He just hands his credit card to the waiter. My eyes must have grown wide, because he shakes his head and says, "Not one word, gorgeous. This has been completely worth whatever is on that total line." He essentially hushes me before I even have a chance to comment.