AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterTwenty-Five
“So, what are you wearing for your date?” Jo looked away from her closet to stare at Andrea, who was lying across her bed, looking up at her.
“Seriously, Drea? I thought you actually came up here to help me choose,” she deadpanned.
“I am here to help you. I just thought you would have had some choices prepared for me to help you pick.” Andrea gave her a pointed look.
“Ugh, this is hopeless,” Jo exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“What wasn’t a good idea?” Cora looked from an exasperated Jo to Andrea.
“Jo’s having a dress crisis,” Andrea replied, sitting up in the bed.
“I should have just said no, I can’t go. It’s too soon to be going on a date. Maybe I should just call him and cancel,” Jo rattled as her nerves got the best of her.
“Jo, stop. It’s too late to cancel now,” Cora informed her.
“Besides, there is no way we would allow you to cancel,” Andrea added.
Jo couldn’t help the childishness that rose in her and found herself sticking her tongue out at her sister. Andrea scrunched her eyebrows together, making silly faces in the mirror at her. The two had burst into laughter, lightening the mood once more.
“Jo, you’ll be fine.” Cora held her head between her palms and looked into her eyes. “You deserve this. Remember that.” Jo smiled gratefully at her big sister. “Now, let’s find you a dress to wear.”
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang.
“This was a bad idea.”
“Jo, stop,” Cora reprimanded her sister, moving her toward the floor-length closet mirror. “Now, look how beautiful you are. When you make it downstairs, you are going to smile at that man, take his compliment, go out and enjoy your evening.”
Jo glanced at her appearance as her sister had commanded. She did look beautiful. Her brown hair was swept up in a high, bouncy ponytail with a strong side part at the front and swept to the side. Even though she wore minimal makeup, the light blush brought attention to her high cheekbones and light brown eyes, and the rouge lipstick she wore made her lips look full. The dress Cora chose for her was a burgundy, knee-length wrap dress with high slits in the long sleeves paired with three-inch gold sandals.
“Go charm that man,” Cora insisted against her ear as Andrea cheered. Jo walked down the stairs and to the front door with her sisters in tow behind her.
“Wow. You look… beautiful,” Daniel complimented Jo the minute he saw her.
“Thank you,” Jo replied, blushing, adding even more tint to her cheeks. “You look handsome.”
Daniel smiled warmly down at her, which caused the butterflies in her chest to act up. “Good evening, ladies.” He looked behind her to greet her sisters, who were all smiles.
“Hi, Daniel. Please make sure she has a good time,” Andrea instructed.
“I will,” he replied, his gaze back on her as he smiled warmly at her.
“Have her back by midnight.” Jo turned to give Cora an incredulous look. “Just kidding,” she smiled wide.
“I promise to bring her home at a reasonable time,” Daniel replied. “Shall we?” Jo took the hand he held out to her, and with that, they were on their way.
Jo felt as if she was riding on cloud nine. She felt her cheeks heat for the third time. They were still warm, even though the chilly wind from the open car window was caressing them. They drove in comfortable silence for the fifteen minutes it took them to get into town, where they would be going for dinner.
“Did I mention how lovely you look tonight,” Daniel asked, his gray eyes shining with the sincerity of his words.
“You’ve said it a few times, but that doesn’t mean I’m tired of hearing it.” She smiled back at him warmly. They were only officially ten minutes into their date, and already she was delirious. Just then, their waiter showed up with their entrée, and for the next few minutes, they focused on the meal.
“I told Tracy I was going on a date.”
“Oh, yeah? What was her reaction?” Daniel asked, looking up at her in interest.
“Well...” she paused for effect. “She was ecstatic. She said she’s happy that I’m opening myself up to the possibility of love again,” she spoke, lowering her head. Feeling a warm pressure on the top of hers, she looked up into the kind eyes of Daniel as his large hand covered hers.
