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I dropped my big purse on the coffee table and sat on the couch across from her. Retrieving my ID, cash, lip balm, and keys from the bag, I placed them into my small clutch and added my phone.
When she didn’t answer, I looked over at her.
“It’s been a while since you went on a date.” She smirked. “And the last time you were on a date with a normal guy is never.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I’m serious. None of those guys you dated before were worth anything.”
“You don’t even know Simon. How do you know what he’s worth?”
“Because the two of you have been friends for years,” she said. “And you do pick good friends. It’s the lovers you have trouble with.”
“Eewww, Granny Vi, don’t say that.”
“Lovers,” she said again, this time dragging the words out using a low, sexy voice.
The doorbell rang and I breathed a sigh of relief that our conversation couldn’t continue.
“Saved by the bell,” I muttered.
I did a double take as I opened the door. The man standing across the threshold isnotwho I was expecting. Instead of my nerdy former co-worker, in front of me is Simon 2.0.
His ginger hair normally runs amuck, but he obviously got a good cut and tonight some kind of product has it tamed into neat, slicked-back waves. As if that weren’t enough, his clothes are different too. Instead of baggy cargo pants and a graphic T-shirt or polo, he has on khakis that look custom fit and one of those fancy button-down shirts made to be worn untucked. The navy and gray checked pattern really brings out his eyes. Or maybe I’m just noticing them more because he’s not wearing glasses.
“Don’t just stand there gawking, let the man in,” Granny Vi said.
“Sorry,” I said and stood back, allowing Simon to enter. “You just look so different,” I said, then quickly added, “Without your glasses.”
He flashed an adorably shy smile and I placed my hand on my stomach to calm the little flutter that came out of nowhere.
“I got contacts a while ago and figured I might as well take them out for a spin.” Holding up a bouquet I hadn’t noticed in his left hand, he said, “These are for you.”
I took the flowers from him and smiled. The bright, bold fall colors are interspersed with black pansies and lilies. Simon really knows me. Even though I’ve toned it down since my teen years, I’m a goth girl at heart.
“Thank you. I love them.”
Before going to put them in water, I introduced Simon to Granny Vi.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Jordan. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said.
“Same,” she said. “The flowers are a nice touch.”
I debated leaving them alone because I have no idea what Granny Vi will say, but the flowers need water. Besides, if this goes beyond one date, he might as well get used to her lack of filter.
Their voices carried into the kitchen but I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I retrieved a vase from the cabinet and filled it with water. After snipping the bottom of the stems, I dropped each flower in and shifted them around until I was happy with the arrangement.
I walked back into the living room, happy to hear Granny Vi and Simon discussing computers instead of something more intimate. After placing the vase in the middle of the coffee table, I picked up my clutch.
“Ready to go?”
“Sure.” Turning his attention back to Granny Vi, he said, “It was nice meeting you.”
“It was a pleasure. Where are you kids heading?”
“The AV.”
“Nice,” Granny Vi said.
