AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hang on.” She went over to her bag, dug out her iPhone. “The seventh? Looks fine.”
“Good, I’ll let Candy and Darcy know. Thanks. Are you relaxing tonight?”
“No. I’m going out.” She couldn’t stop the smile.
“Really? With whom?”
“A friend.”
“Quinn!”
Marie started. “How did you know?”
“You sound so happy. Is this a date? Where are you going?”
“Dream Dance. And I’m not sure.”
“Dream Dance?” She sounded as if she was going to have an apoplectic fit. “And you’re not sure? Marie, men don’t take women there as friends. Trust me on this.”
“I’m not—”
“Nathan is nodding like crazy. He says coffee dates for friends. Dream Dance for girlfriends.”
“You are not helping.”
“What do you mean?”
“The only way I’m going to get through this night is not to think that—”
Doorbell. Invasion of serious nerves.
“Oh, my God. He’s here. I have to go.”
“Have fun! Call and tell us all about it.”
Marie groaned. Kim would tell Candy, Candy would tell Darcy, they’d be wondering all night what was happening. Like she needed this pressure?
No. No, Marie Hewitt was stronger than this. Marie Hewitt had survived infidelity and divorce, and had started her own successful business out of nothing. Marie Hewitt could get through a date.
She stood tall, eyes closed, body centered, and took two deep, calming breaths.
There. Marie Hewitt was ready.
She picked up the blue purse and matching light jacket, hoping it would be enough to keep her warm in this cool weather, and forced herself to walk with calm dignity down the stairs, for her own peace of mind and so she wouldn’t trip and end their date in the emergency room before it even began.
The bell rang again. Oh, impatient man. If only he were that impatient for her, and not just results.
She put on a smile and opened the door, making sure her expression was friendly and casual, because it would be pretty pathetic to greet him with all the anxiety and hope she was feeling.
The smile, however, dropped. Quinn stood there, the epitome of magnetic masculine success in a charcoal suit that fit flawlessly over his broad shoulders, and over a white shirt and classic burgundy-and-blue tie. He was freshly shaved and smelled incredibly sexy. For a too-long moment she was overwhelmed, then forced herself to put her tongue back into her mouth, figuratively speaking, and collect herself.
“Hi, Quinn.” She managed to focus properly and noticed with a tiny kick of excitement that he seemed a little dazed himself.
“Marie.” He gestured to her dress. “You look…stunning. Beautiful.”
“Oh, hey, thanks. You do, too.” She threw out the words, nonchalance personified, turned to lock the door behind her and let a full grin have its way as soon as her face was safely hidden. She’d worship this dress for the rest of her life, build a shrine and leave money for its preservation in her will. “I’m looking forward to the evening.”
“Same here.” His low, deep voice made her shiver and her resolve to be cool faltered again. She had a feeling the entire evening was going to a series of similar battles.
Bring it on.
They drove to Dream Dance, located in the Potawatomi Casino, southwest of downtown Milwaukee in the Menomonee River Valley, a fortress of a building with four towers topped with round dishes containing leaping orange flames, a dramatic statement in the dark even with the copious lighting around the stark stone walls.
Quinn turned his silver Lexus sedan over to valet parking and gallantly escorted Marie through what seemed a random door, but which turned out to be conveniently opposite the restaurant entrance. Did he ever miss a beat? Stumble? Look like a dork? It would actually make her feel better. Maybe she should steal his wallet so he’d be caught thinking he had no money to pay for the meal.
They pushed through the doors and over a short tiled hallway into the restaurant’s foyer, where they were greeted and welcomed into the dining room, whose white-clothed tables sat widely spaced for privacy. Marie and Quinn were shown to a table embraced by a semicircular high-backed banquette on which she and Quinn sat next to each other and faced the room. The noise was low, waiters moved around leisurely attending the well-dressed patrons. Marie felt like royalty.
