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Samantha nodded dramatically, taking a long sip of her drink. “Yes, girl. Amen to that.”
Clinking our glasses together, we both picked up our menu as Jeffrey returned.
The rest of our dinner was smooth, and disappointingly, no men sent over drinks or other contact information. We split the tab, and each left a tip. Jeffrey was a great server.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you in a few minutes at Newtown! You know... Tommy will be there.” She winked at me. I hadn’t given Tommy much thought past the adoption moment since I assumed they were together. But now, the prospect seemed exciting.
“Oh, will he now?” I laughed back, both of us knowing full well he would have to make the first move for anything to come out of that.
“Shall I let him know you are single?”
I cringed at her words, but I had consumed so much sugary lemonade during the last hour. I felt a sense of hope. “Sure, why not?” We both laughed as the anxiety trickled into the back of my mind.
After we let the dogs roam the grass patch near our cars, we loaded them up and I waved to her saying she would follow me out.
We arrived at Newtown within seconds of each other and all the lights were illuminated, casting a warm glow on the sunset shadows around the building. Sitting momentarily in the car, I saw Tommy inside, unfolding the chairs. He lifted a stack of chairs and then dispersed them individually. For a moment, he appeared to be very strong, but then I remembered the chairs only weighed a pound or so. Still, you couldn’t deny him in the looks category. But what was he like?
Samantha waved me out of my car, pulling an imaginary rope after I got Dolly’s carrier out and walked towards her. “Come on, he won’t bite!”
“Shhh! Don’t let him hear you!” My cheeks were reddening as he looked out the window and extended a smile when he saw us. Then he was smiling at me. Maybe there was something here after all?
“Hi, Tommy. You remember Katie, don’t you?” Samantha held the door open while I walked in, giving my entrance announcement.
“Hey, Katie! And Dolly! How’s it going with you ladies?” He had kind eyes. He was the easy kind of attractive—the type of guy that would have his shirtless picture on a shopping bag if he were more muscular. He wasn’t lanky, though, just an average build, but a beautiful face—the type of face that was so unusually striking. He had light brown hair and eyes that matched an olive complexion. There was a slight freckling over his nose and bright white teeth with a gap between his front two. He was taller than me but didn’t tower over me. He seemed athletic in a hiking sort of way.
I must’ve been lost in his looks because Samantha nudged me with her elbow. “Katie,” she whispered.
“It’s—it’s been great! Yeah, we are doing just great. Really great week sofar.”
“That's... Great.” He winked and went back to his chairs.
Samantha raised her eyebrows at me, mouthingreally?
I shrugged, knowing that was so completely lame, but she expected too much of me if she thought I could open up to him that quickly.
Samantha glanced at her watch. “Class starts in a few minutes!”
“Are we all set up? Do you need anything from me?” Samantha asked Tommy.
“I’m all set, thank you.”
“And remember I have to set up tomorrow, and lead the class, so I better pay attention tonight so that I learn what NOT to do!” She teased, but I didn’t know what Samantha was talking about. It seemed like they had wonderful chemistry.
People started filling in and Tommy had a look of mild panic on his face.
“Is he okay?” I whispered to Samantha.
“Yes, he’s just having stage fright. He will get over it... I hope.” She gave me a flat look, suddenly worrying this was a bad idea. Tommy started running his fingers through his hair and his breathing quickened.
“Is he having a panic attack?” I asked Samantha.
She stood up and went over to him, and they talked for a few minutes while people sat down. Then, Tommy came and sat beside me, and Samantha took the thick pen from the dry erase board and wrote out her name.
“So, you're off the hook then?” I peeked over at the gorgeous guy sitting next to me. He nodded rapidly. “Yes. What a relief! She’s a good friend.” He smiled but didn’t look in my direction.
I wanted to make conversation but had nothing clever to say except, “She’s pretty great!” He nodded and turned to look in my direction as people were sitting down all around us. “So, tell me about you, Katie.” He reached over and gave Dolly a pat on her forehead as her carrier sat in my lap.
“Oh, well, where do I begin? I’ve recently become a dog-mom.” I smiled, hoping he would find it charming and not creepy as we were sitting very closelytogether.
