“To discuss the contract further.”
“You’re not really answering any of my questions, TJ.” I sighed. “I don’t see the point of you coming over, just to further ignore me.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow,” he said in a deep, sexy drawl. “Have dinner with me and let me take you on a date. I won’t ask you about the contract or your decision unless you ask me to talk about it.”
“I don’t know.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to go and see him before I’d made up my mind. And I wanted to make up my mind when I was in a rational state instead of in the throes of want for him.
“Just dinner, Mila. That’s it. No hanky-panky.”
“I don’t believe that you can have dinner with no hanky-panky.”
“I mean, I can’t promise I’ll stop you from feeling me up.” He laughed.
“You wish.”
“Yes, I do.” He laughed again. “So what’s your answer?”
“Fine, yes,” I said with a smile. “I’ll have dinner with you.”
“She said yes!” he exclaimed excitedly.
“To dinner, nothing else.”
“I’ve never had a lady take so long to answer my marriage proposal before.”
“How many women have you proposed to?” I asked, slightly jealous.
“For real? None. For fake? One,” he said seriously. “Only you, Mila.”
“Uh huh,” I said and shook my head at myself as I felt butterflies in my stomach. This isn’t a real engagement, dumbass, so stop thinking that it is, I lectured myself silently as I waited for TJ to talk again.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven o’clock, okay?” TJ said and then paused. “Don’t think too many naughty thoughts of me tonight.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night, TJ,” I said and hung up. I walked to my bedroom and flopped down on the bed. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be in a situation like this, and with TJ Walker of all people. It was like I had entered an alternate reality. An alternate reality where all my dreams had come true. I sat up and reached over to my night table drawer and pulled out my diary and grabbed a pen. I paused before writing as I realized that I wasn’t quite right. This reality I was living was exciting and thrilling, but it wasn’t quite a fulfillment of all my dreams. I wasn’t sure what it was, really, but I knew that only time would tell me exactly what I was getting myself into.
***
“You’re very punctual.” I answered the front door with a smile.
“Actually, I’m early.” TJ grinned at me. “It’s six fifty-five p.m.”
“Don’t tell me that.” I grinned back at him. “Or I might think you were eager to go on this date with me.”
“I wouldn’t want you to think I was eager,” TJ said as he looked me up and down. “You look very beautiful this evening.”
“Stop it.” I blushed. “You’re just saying that.”
“I never just say anything.” He shook his head and touched my blouse. “I like it.”
“Thanks. I got it at a little old store called Old Navy.” I winked at him. “Cheap and cheerful.”
“What, no shopping spree?” He looked shocked. “No fancy dress for our dinner date?”
“I thought jeans and a top would do?” I smiled at him. “You weren’t planning anything fancy, were you?” I looked at TJ in his dark grey slacks and white button-up shirt and cringed. “Am I underdressed? I can change, you know. I have five minutes left before I’m late.”
“You don’t have to change.” He shook his head. “Frankly, I’m glad you didn’t dress up.”
“You are?” I was surprised. I’d dressed casually both for myself and for him. I knew that if I’d put on some ball gown or sexy outfit, I’d be putting both of us in the mood for something more seductive, and I didn’t want that. I wanted us to just hangout and relax.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Somehow a picnic in the park would have felt off if you were in your Sunday best.”
“We’re going on a picnic in the park?” I gazed at him and studied his face. “You don’t strike me as a picnic guy.”
“Okay, so maybe we’re aren’t going on a picnic in the park.” He laughed. “Maybe I’m going to cook you dinner at my place.”
“Really? You can cook?”
“Mila! You’ve known me for how many years now? Of course I can cook.”
“Ha!” I laughed. “This I have to see. I hope you have a fire extinguisher.”
“Very funny.” He grabbed my hand. “I won’t burn anything if you help me.”
“If I help you?” I put my hand on my hip. “You’re supposed to be treating me to dinner, not me treating you.”