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He steps forward again and holds my face in his hands. “Just a date. I promise, you don’t feel something, and we’ll call it friends and nothing more.”
And if I feel everything?
How can I trust that you’ll stick around?
Evan
My headstill pounds this evening. The doctor said the headache might last for several days, but like hell if I’ll let it stop me from going on my date with Noel. I’ll fight through so that I can spend time with her.
Even after everything that has happened, she soothes me in a way I haven’t felt since my dad died. I don’t want to let that go.
I wait outside the Thai restaurant. I wanted to pick her up, but she said she had somewhere to be before our date and wanted to meet me here.
Is this her version of a fake emergency text?
I’m fine if it is. I want her to feel safe and protected. From the moment I heard her calling out for help, my heart was all in to help. Now to find out more about her and what makes her tic.
When she parks and steps out of her car, my insides jump around like a boy coming down the stairs on Christmas morning. Her long blonde locks peek out from under her red cap, her lips are the same bright red color, and a snowman covered scarf blows behind her in the mountain wind.
The excitement is hard for me to tamp down on, but I control it enough to smile at her and give her the once-over as she makes her way to me.
“Hi. I hope I didn’t make you wait for too long?” She bounces around in the cold weather.
“Nah, I got it shortly before you.” A whole ten minutes shortly, so not so shortly, but more like couldn’t wait. “Let’s go inside and warm up.”
Her curls dance around her shoulders as she nods her head. “I’ve never been here before. I can’t wait to try it.”
“They have amazing food. I eat here a couple times a month.” I open the door and the greeter calls out my name. “Okay, twice a week.”
She leans close, “Don’t blame you, smells fantastic.”
I assist Noel to work her jacket off, and she stands before me in a tight red sweater dress over black leggings. Both hug and caress her every delicious and dangerous curve—although I’m willing to take a chance on the hazards. I’m known for putting my body in harm’s way, I’ll gladly sacrifice again. I sustain from licking my lips. She’s absolutely the best holiday treat I’ve ever seen.
The hostess guides us to our u-shaped booth, and we settle in toward the back, more beside each other than facing each other.
Noel doesn’t wait a second. She opens the menu and starts browsing. “I’m starving, and I love trying new foods.”
Watching her, I can’t help but feel like I’ve hit gold, and Santa made sure I was on the nice list to get her dropped into my life.
We place our orders.
“So, what’s it like working at….” I don’t know how to finish the sentence without sounding foolish.
“Dirty Hoes Plants & Décor?”
“Yeah, that.”
Her laugh brightens my day.
“It’s so funny, women spout off the name like it’s nothing, having a giggle, but men can never quite say the name and their discomfort is amusing.”
“Well, it does sound like a…”
“Strip club.” Noel joins me in finishing the sentence.
She turns to face me, pulling her leg onto the pleather seat. “I love it. It’s the best place I’ve ever worked at. My bosses are wonderful, and my co-workers are so fun, but it’s only holiday work. Temporary, like a lot of things in my life, so I need to find something more permanent.”
I smile at the idea of us possibly working together. “Sip Happens is looking for wait staff.”
