"Thanks," Keegan mumbled, pulling out my chair for me.
"Is there a restaurant in town that doesn't have someone that has either slept with you or wants to rape you on this table?" I asked him, spreading the napkin across my lap.
"Ehh, most likely not," he said, his mouth frowning. "We can go somewhere else if you want?"
"No, it's fine." I looked back at the hostess counter catching the two girls staring our way. The waiter came, who thankfully was a man, and we both ordered our food.
"Tell me more about you," Keegan asked me from across the table.
"There's really not too much to tell, I answered, stabbing a piece of pasta with my fork.
"That's a lie. Tell me what pisses you off."
"You, girls that give me hate me because of you and bees."
He chuckled. "So me, me and bees? Why bees?"
"Bees are bitches," I said.
"Damn, what the hell did the little shits do to you to make you hate a damn bug so bad?"
"When I was eight years old, I had one of those barrel jug drinks. You know, the ones that are filled with knock off Kool-Aid or whatever?" He nodded his head. "Anyways, so I was playing in the sandbox one day and I got thirsty. I went to the picnic table where I had set my drink and chugged it. Instead of a yummy sugar drink, I got a damn stinger to the tongue."
His smile turned into laughter.
"It's not funny. I have been scarred for life from that day."
Our dinner ended perfectly, without any other mean girls feeding me dirty looks to go with my pasta. He clasped out hands together when we walked out the front door and passed the envious eyes.
"Do you have you ticket, sir?" the valet asked Keegan, holding out his hand.
"Yes, but we are going to go on a walk. We'll be back," Keegan answered, walking and leading me toward the busy street.
"We're going for a walk?" I asked, one eyebrow arching.
"Something like that," he smiled, grabbing my shoulders and bringing me in closer to his body. We walked hand in hand for a few minutes before he stopped in front of a carriage with a gorgeous horse in the front.
“He’s beautiful,” I said, petting the horse’s white mane.
"My lady," an older man, dressed in a suit, came from around the opposite side. He held out his hand in front of the carriage for me to grab. I looked back at Keegan with a questionable look and he nodded his head. The man lifted me up into the carriage and Keegan settled in beside me.
“Cora texted me a book of notes and suggestions," he laughed. "That chick is the fucking queen of romance."
“Even if you did get a date manual to make this great for me, thank you. I love it,” I said, snuggling deeper into his side.
"So does this mean you're going to give me a chance? You can't tell me you're scared when you don't even know what you're getting into." His eyes met mine while he waited for my answer.
"Oh, I think I know what I am getting into." And I did.
"Okay Ms. Smarty Pants, what would you be getting into?" He asked, as we passed the cars and people coming down the street.
"Drama," I answered sticking one finger out. "Chaos," I added with another finger. "And probably hurt too." A third finger went up.
"Sounds like you will be living a pretty lame life if you’re afraid to try something new because it will cause drama, chaos or hurt. There are too many things that can cause those emotions, shit, being on this carriage could cause all three right now. Trust me, a little drama, chaos and hurt is good for an eventful life." I looked up at him and felt the slight blush rush up my shoulders. "So are you ready to give me chance? I already told you that you could punch me in the balls if I did anything to hurt you. You can't pass that up," he said, grabbing my chin and kissing me on the tip of my nose.
"Okay," I said.
"Okay," he repeated, grinning. "I think our smiles should touch now." A large hand twisted in my hair, bringing my face closer to meet his lips. He tasted sweet, like peppermint against my cold lips. "So is the best date you've ever had?"
I nodded, and snuggled into him. It was the truth. Time wasn’t healing me but it was replacing memories and I was beginning to be okay with that.
"YOU OKAY over there?" Keegan asked, turning off the car.
"Yep," I answered too quickly, whipping around to face him.
"No one is going to say anything to you if that's what you're afraid of," he said, his eyebrows furrowing. "And if they do, I will beat their ass."
"You don't have to say anything to someone before you murder them," I laughed out. "There are already enough girls in that place that don't like me because of your psycho ex-booty call arrangement girl, now I am taking away their favorite spirit stick. Those are fighting words for them."
He chuckled, cocking his head to the side. "Did you really just refer to my junk as a spirit stick?"
I smiled in confirmation. "I did and don't even try to deny that I'm right."
He chuckled. "We are going to be late if your sexy ass doesn't come on."