“I’m okay. Let’s go sit.” Alex takes her hands off his face. He brings her palm to his lips and kisses it. Looking into her eyes, he smiles, then leads her back to the table. Taking a seat, Lisa looks over at Jill. Tad has her in a lip lock, which makes Lisa snort.
Turning her attention back to Alex, she lifts her fingers to his cheek, gently running them across his jaw. “What happened? Will you be okay?”
Alex nods. “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.” He looks over at Tad and Jill, and raises his brows. “Maybe we should go?”
Lisa looks over at them. Reaching out, she taps Jill’s arm. Breaking their kiss, Jill turns her attention to Lisa. “Hey, we’re going to go. Will you be okay?” Lisa asks.
“Absolutely.” Jill grins. “I’m in good hands.”
“I can see that.” Lisa winks at her. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
Jill looks at Alex and smiles. “Alex, it was very nice to meet you. Be good to my girl.”
“You can count on it,” Alex replies. He shakes her hand, then Tad’s. “Tad, see you around.” Tad waves at Lisa and Alex, then captures Jill’s attention again.
Walking out of the restaurant, Alex puts his arm around Lisa’s waist and pulls her close. “Did you have a good time?”
“I did. I hope you did, too?” Lisa looks up, still concerned as to why he seems to be in pain when he kisses her.
He nods. “Yes, I did. Are you ready to head back, or is there anything else you’d like to do?”
“I suppose we can go home. Unless you want ice cream or something?” Lisa looks up at him.
Alex chuckles. “I’d love some ice cream. I found a nice place when I first moved that’s really good. My treat. What’s your favorite flavor?”
Lisa smiles and wraps her arm around his waist. “Perfect! Anything with brownies, hot fudge and lots of whipped cream. What about you?”
“I’m a pralines and cream kinda guy.”
Getting into his car, they take off for the ice cream shop. He reaches over and grabs Lisa’s hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing the backside of it.
“Alex?” She takes a deep breath, hoping this doesn’t cause an argument. “Why do you seem to be in pain when you kiss me? Please don’t tell me it’s because you have sensitive lips.”
Alex runs his thumb over Lisa’s hand. He lets out a long sigh and pulls up to a stoplight. Looking over at her, she sees the concern on his face. “It’s a long story. One that, in time, I promise I’ll tell you. I’m just not ready to go there yet.”
Appreciating the truth, she understands about having a broken heart. Lisa smiles at him. “Okay.” She lets it go as the light turns green.
“Okay?” He questions her and looks over, then looks back at the road.
“Okay, I won’t ask again. I understand complications. Just tell me when you’re ready.”
“I promise, it’s not you.” He looks over at her with an encouraging smile.
“I certainly hope not.” She grins at him. “Tonight on the dance floor, you sure seemed really into me. If you don’t like me, you have an odd way of showing it.” She nudges him playfully.
Alex chuckles, and she watches the relief wash over him. “Thank-you for understanding.”
“There’s nothing to understand, Alex. Like I said, tell me when you’re ready. No pressure. Remember, slow is good.” Lisa begins to wonder when she started telling guys it's okay to take it slow.
“Yes, slow is very good.” He pulls into the ice cream shop parking lot. Putting the car into park, he looks over at her. “You’re an amazing woman, you know that?”
She grins and shrugs. “I try.”
The light of the ice cream shop illuminates Alex’s SUV. The white building with red trim stands out at the end of a shopping plaza. Out front, the florescent lights shine with a bright ice cream cone, the words Ice Cream on the sign.
He opens the door for her and Lisa walks inside. The air cools her skin, and the sweet smell of sugar and ice cream fills her nose. Walking to the glass counter, Alex and Lisa look at the different flavors. The young girl with braces and blemishes behind the counter greets them with a smile. “Welcome! What can I get for you?”
“My lady here will have a small brownie and hot fudge sundae, with extra whipped cream and two cherries.” The girl nods and writes it down.
“My gentleman here will have a small pralines and cream, with extra caramel.” Lisa looks up at Alex as he grins.
“Mmm, good call.”
Lisa giggles. “You’re welcome.”
After ringing up their order, Alex pays. The ice cream is prepared perfectly. Taking a seat at one of the booths, Lisa and Alex sit next to each other. She picks up a cherry, then turns to Alex, who opens his mouth. Pulling on the stem, the cherry breaks off and he chews. Picking up the other cherry, he feeds it to her. Lisa sees the girl behind the counter sigh and roll her eyes. “Seems we have an audience.” Lisa motions to her. Alex turns and glances at the girl behind the counter.
Alex grins. “Seems she’s a romantic or she’s not liking the grown-ups playing with their food. Maybe both.”