Looking at the clock, I decide it won’t kill me to read a few more chapters before turning in. I plan on putting in most of the day tomorrow at the Habitat site. I scroll through the pictures on my phone. I managed to capture a few more of Maggie during Thanksgiving, but none compare to the one outside the school. I laugh looking at it. It’s not a matter of falling for her anymore, I’m already there.
* * *
“Let me get this straight.” I’ve taken Ernie and the guys out for burgers after work on Saturday. “She invited you to Thanksgiving where you spent the entire day. Then when she gets a little nervous about touching you, you panic and take off?”
I wave for another round of beer. I’m covered in sawdust, but I’ve managed to spend most of the day with my mind on something other than Maggie. Which is a complete fucking lie I keep telling myself.
“It sounds much worse when you say it out loud!” I say with exasperation, running my hand through my hair. All I do is cover my fries in sawdust. “I didn’t want her to freak out or run. I don’t know. I’ve romanced many women right into bed with less effort than this. Why can’t I figure out what the hell I’m doing?”
“Son, this isn’t just some woman looking for an easy lay with a pretty boy. This is a woman you take home to mama. You are courting this one.” I swear this feels like a sitcom from the sixties. I know Ernie has a point, she did hold my hand on a porch swing, even if it was briefly.
“Have you tried something as easy as holding her hand first?” Fine, call me out. “It’s not always about how fast they jump into bed with you. Sometimes it’s all about the romance. Sounds like you got a good start though.”
“Ernie’s right, Colin. You need to woo her,” adds Andy.
Woo her? I can do woo. I’ll woo her so hard she won’t know what hit her. The guys are right, I’ve been doing this wrong.
“Gentlemen, I believe I have some work to do.” I make sure to pay the bill and have another round sent to the table on the way out. I have never had to woo a woman, I just snap my fingers and they follow. I have to decide what my version of wooing Maggie is.
6
Maggie
When I finally get home on Tuesday, there is a package sitting on my front porch. Odd, I haven’t ordered anything. After further scrutiny, I find Colin’s name on the return label. I can’t imagine what he would send me, but I cut the package open with relish.
Digging through the packing, I pull out a beautifully illustrated copy of the complete works of Oscar Wilde. I marvel at each picture as I turn the pages. But why would Colin send me such an amazing gift?
Inside the front cover, I find a handwritten note:“For my beautiful Maggie, I hope this gives you the inspiration to begin planning your trip to Great Britain. No dream is ever silly, no matter how big. I hope you enjoy this. Colin.”Grabbing up my phone, I’ve all but forgotten how hungry I was just a few minutes ago. My hand shakes as I call Colin.
“Hey beautiful, how’s your day?” he answers. I sigh. I don’t think I will ever get tired of him referring to me that way.
“I got your gift today. Colin, the book is beyond words. It’s too much. I really shouldn’t accept it.” I cringe at the thought of giving it back, but it is the right thing to do. I’ve been clutching the book to my chest so I calmly lay it back on the counter.
“I saw it over the weekend and knew you’d like it. I would really like you to keep it. Consider it a thank you for Thanksgiving.”
“Thank you, Colin. I love it. How was your day? Did you spend it on the streets fighting crime? Keeping humanity safe for the masses.” I hear him laugh softly. “Did you have any luck finding someone to help with the people at the shelter?”
“I made the arrangements yesterday. I’m planning on coming down this weekend to check on the progress. Do you think we could get some dinner while I’m there? I’ll have both books done by then, we can discuss them over dessert.” I believe I can hear him holding his breath waiting for my answer.
“That sounds good. Just let me know when. In the meantime, I’d better get something to eat. My stomach is not as impressed with the book as I am. I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Can’t wait until then. Bye, beautiful.” I hang up with a smile still on my face. Still not tired of being called that. Throwing some leftovers in the microwave, I change into my pajamas before sinking into my spot on the couch. Finishing dinner, my new book quickly finds its way into my hands.
By the time Colin picks me up for dinner on Friday, I have most of the book finished. I’m standing in front of my mirror assessing the new skirt I bought for tonight. I decided to choose something that no self-respecting English teacher would wear.
The plaid wool skirt hits well above my knees so I paired it with a new pair of leggings and knee-high boots. The dark green sweater is fitted to skim over my curves which I’m still not sure I feel comfortable with. Too late to change my mind now, I think when the doorbell rings.
“Hi,” is all I get out when I open it. Colin has his hands full of poinsettias. He stands there staring at me with his mouth open. He has on a pair of charcoal slacks, a black dress shirt with the collar open and a long charcoal coat. He’s still just standing there. “Do I need to change? Are those for me? Would you like to come in? Colin?” I thought I looked better than this reaction.
He finally manages to pull his eyes away from my thighs with a shake of his head. “Uhh.” is all he grunts out. When he finally meets my eyes he has a confused look on his face.
“I’m sorry. What?” Laughing, I hold the door open farther. “Oh, uhh, these are for you. I thought you might like them for your flower beds. I’ll leave them out here.” He sets them down to the side of the door. Looking back up at me he asks, “What were the rest of your questions?”
Taking his hand, I pull him into the house, sliding his coat off of his shoulders to hang. He is wearing a beautiful pair of black and charcoal paisley suspenders. It takes all my concentration not to climb up him.
“I asked if I needed to change. I don’t know where you planned on having dinner. I can change, I don’t mind.” I watch him take a slow perusal down my body.
“No. Well, maybe. Shit!” Now I’m the one with the look of confusion on my face. I’ve never heard him at a loss for words. Colin runs his hands through what was his neat hair. Now it sticks up in all directions.
