Charlie loves me, in a way I didn’t expect him to, and that…means everything.
I stand in my bedroom, staring at the closet. Butterflies dance in my stomach as my eyes scan the articles of clothing before me. I shouldn’t be this nervous. I shouldn’t be nervous at all. The man I’m meeting tonight has seen me through all my highs and lows, thick and thin, good and bad.
It does not matter what dress I wear,I think to myself.
Only it does. Becausehewill be there.
“Meet me at Regiano’s tonight, if you’re committed to giving us a chance.”
I pull a short dress from the back of my closet, navy with a bright floral pattern and a bright red, satin ribbon around the waist. I’d been saving it for a special occasion. I rip the tags off, toss them onto my dresser, and slide it on. It fits me like a glove. I glance at my reflection in the mirror and take a moment to admire myself. Dare I say, I look good.
My hair falls in soft curls around my face and there’s a rosy, girlish hint of rouge to my cheeks. My eyes sparkle as they stare back at me and I feel the excitement building. I’m buzzing with energy.
Thea stops in the doorway as I’m putting my earrings in. I watch her reflection through the mirror and she smiles.
“You look beautiful,” she says as she shoves off the doorframe and enters the room.
“Thank you.” I clasp the earring shut and turn around so she can see the full effect.
She gently lays her overnight bag down on my bed — she’s having a sleepover with Raquel tonight — before she walks over to me.
“Here,” she says softly, spinning me back around. Her fingers reach for my zipper and she carefully zips me up. “Charlie is a lucky man.”
I feel myself blush as I turn back to face her. “Thank you,” I repeat. My emotions take over and I pull her into a hug.
“What’s that for?” she asks when we separate.
I shrug. “I just love ya, kid.”
Thea smiles and reaches for her bag. “I’ll check in when I get to Raquel’s,” she says, “but I don’t want to bug you on your date.”
I nod. “Okay. Be safe. Make good choices!”
“Have fun,” she says as she walks to the door. “Get a good story to tell Judith!” she adds before she ducks around the corner. I hear her giggle as she makes her way to the front door.
I can’t help but roll my eyes as I turn to my dresser and select my perfume. I spritz it onto my neck and wrists before spraying some in my hair for extra measure.
At ten to eight, I take a deep breath and leave the house, after getting confirmation from Thea that she made it safely to Raquel’s. The drive to Regiano’s is just a few minutes; Driftbay isn’t that big. I meet Charlie right at eight, butterflies fluttering through my stomach the entire drive there.
I park beside his SUV and get out of my vehicle. He’s leaning against the hood of his car. His eyes slowly travel down my body and I can’t help but blush at the attention. It makes me feel confident, knowing that after all these years, I can still draw a man’s gaze.
“Beth Ann,” he whispers as he looks at me, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I drink in the sight of him — he’s wearing dark wash jeans and my favorite gray button down, the one that makes me go weak in the knees. Gray is his color. It makes his skin look tan and his dark blue eyes pop.
“You don't look too bad yourself,” I add.
He reaches a hand out toward me and I take it. He gently spins me around so he can get the full view before he pushes off the car and pulls me into his side. I catch a whiff of him; he smells luxurious, like pomegranates and sandalwood.
“Is that a new cologne?” I ask as we walk toward the restaurant entrance.
He shrugs. “I save it for special occasions. Thanksgiving, Christmas, dates with my girl.”
“Your girl, huh?”
“Is that cheesy?” he asks as he opens the door for me.
I pretend to ponder it. “Little bit.”
