My mouth curves up as I twist my neck and find Vick with an appreciative smile on his face. When I turn, he grabs me in for a quick hug, but before he pulls away, he adds, “You smell better than I imagined, too.”
“Can you imagine how someone will smell?” I query as I step back to drink him in. He’s wearing worn tattered jeans and a plain, white cotton T-shirt. He looks amazing. Oh, and he’s wearing flip-flops. I’m so glad I didn’t overdo it with dressing up tonight. I am a bit more dressy than he is, but not awkwardly so.
“Maybe not the scent, but you can imagine the feeling or sensations a scent gives you.”
I nod in agreement and smile. “That was an excellent answer, Mr. Reynolds. Are you trying to seduce me with your charming repartee?”
His mouth quirks on one side, and he shrugs his shoulder. “Well, I don’t have a vast fortune or incredible looks to impress you with, so I’m forced to use the only things I do have. I hope you like smart men with huge penises.”
I suck in air through my teeth before biting my lip, feigning disappointment. “Maybe we should cancel now. I really hate intelligent men.” Then after a beat, I add, “But . . . the huge penis might be your saving grace.”
“I knew this monster would do me proud one day,” he says, with pride, looking down at himself. We both laugh as the hostess approaches and Vick lets her know we need a table for two.
Once we’re seated, our waitress approaches and quickly takes our drink orders. The conversation flows easily. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. I quickly learn that Vick is a jokester and has a zest for telling stories that make you laugh.
“So my uncle spends the entire day in these sunglasses and keeps bitching about how bright it is outside. My cousin and I could barely keep ourselves from laughing in front of him, but somehow we managed.”
“So you guys just let him walk around all day wearing sunglasses with no lens? And he never realized it?”
Vick leans back and laughs, and I can’t help but admire his perfectly white teeth. “All damn day. And the funny thing is, no one else said anything either.”
I shake my head as I chuckle. “Your poor uncle. That sounds like something I would do.”
“Eh, he took it well. He’s pretty good about laughing at himself.”
We both smile as a pause of silence falls between us, but when our eyes meet, Vick leans forward, resting both arms on the table as he looks at me.
“I like you, Demi Stevens.”
My cheeks heat as I fight the grin trying to break out across my face. “You’re not so bad yourself Vick.”
“I know . . .” he pauses as if unsure how to word what he wants to say, “I know this is your first time out since your husband passed.” I can’t help but wince a little at his words. “Sorry,” he says, sincerely. “I didn’t mean to bring up a sensitive subject. I just want to say, this is new, and so far I like you. And I’m prepared to go as slow as you’d like.”
Okay, my heart flutters a little. He gets me. He barely knows me, and he gets me. While I feel ready to burst into the dating scene, I’m not na?ve enough to believe it’ll all come easy. Blake is the only man that has touched me . . . intimately in the last seven years. While the thought of feeling that rush that comes with falling for someone, that feeling of your body craving another, excites me, there’s a lot of fear there too.
“Thank you, Vick. I appreciate that.”
“Can I see you this weekend?”
My mouth quirks into a smile. “I’m babysitting this weekend. Maybe early next week?”
“Monday?”
“Monday works,” I agree.
After we finish our meal, we have one more drink before he walks me out to the parking lot. He opens my car door for me and we both kind of laugh awkwardly. Do we kiss? I’m sure he’s wondering should he kiss me; is it too bold? Me, I’m torn between wanting him to, and not wanting him to. But Vick takes control; he leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth chastely.