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But I am not expecting what I see when she walks out.
Josephine has straightened her hair, applied makeup to her lips and eyelashes, and is wearing a cobalt blue dress that ends just above her knee. It sparkles under the streetlamp like the sea at dusk.
She looks shy, so I try to keep myself from gawking. But I cannot ignore the way my heart races at the mere sight of her. She is transcendently gorgeous.
“Good evening, beautiful.”
She keeps her eyes cast downward as she steps into the car, only offering me a coy smile. We chat about the coffee shop as we drive on, in my attempt to learn more about her. I catch myself trying to sneak a peek at the slit of her upper thighs that are coming out of her dress, and chastise myself for it.
Being attracted to her wasn’t part of the plan. But I tell myself that it will be fruitful, adding a further authenticity to our narrative. I just need to rein it in so I don’t make Josephine uncomfortable.
We sit down at dinner and continue getting to know each other. Her eyes glimmer like jewels, and I can’t keep my heart from picking up the pace every time our gaze meets.
“How long have your parents owned the coffee shop?”
We have already been served wine and ordered our meals, and are waiting for them as we talk. I am glad that Josephine is starting to look more relaxed, given our odd situation.
“Over twenty years. Even more, I think. They started it before I was born.”
She speaks with affection in her tone. It’s clear she’s fond of her family business. It makes my heart beat even faster as I sip on our merlot.
“It must be important to you to keep it going then,” I say softly.
She nods, her face brightening as she thinks about her parents.
“They have put their hearts and souls into that place. I would hate to be the one who is responsible for its destruction.”
I shake my head back and forth, then go for her hand. I am surprised when she doesn’t move it away.
“Don’t think that way. None of this is your fault. And nothing is going to happen to that place, not if I can help it.”
Josephine licks her lips, holding the wine glass in front of her face with her free hand. For the first time that I’ve noticed, she looks me up and down.
“What about you? How long have your parents been…doing their work?”
I sigh. There is no way that my reality can be forgotten, even for a single night.
“My father has been working at the business for as long as I can remember. It lacks the passion of your parents, though. Unfortunately.”
“Why is that?”
Our food arrives as I consider her question. She is spritely tonight, seeming far less disturbed and withdrawn than the various times we’d interacted before. Of course, our first meeting was not under the most generous of circumstances.
Once we thank our waiter, I reply, beginning to cut up the pieces of the massive steak I ordered.
“It's hard to have passion when your only passion is money,” I say, feeling a twinge of jealousy at comparing our families. “Money can take away all that. Including normal things like love for family, partners.”
I hear the jazz of the background musicians come between us as our conversation lapses into silence. I fear I’ve soured the dinner, so I change the subject.
“But I am hoping I can come out the other side of it.”
She slips a piece of chicken between her teeth, grinning with shiny lips.
“I know you can, Aiden.”
We go out on a few more dates before the grand ball. They are not all that fancy, and one is simply just walking around a nearby strip mall while her car gets fixed at a garage. Still, I am having a wonderful time getting to know Josephine.
I start to realize that when I am with her, all of my worries fade away. The icy, protective shell I wear for my father feels like it is melting away.
