Stage Fright

Chapter 52 ~ The Date

Josh

I'd had all of this planned out for weeks, I wanted to sweep her off her feet and make it a date she wouldn't forget. I knew it would be right up her alley, that our night would be as perfect as I could possibly make it.

I had a full suit on, a bouquet of peonies and a gift for later tonight. If I was lucky it would all go according to plan and we'd have a fantastic night together.

It was hard to leave her this afternoon, but I knew she'd want time to get ready and have some quiet time. We sat in her sunroom, watching snow fall slowly this afternoon. It was certainly winter now, and it was looking like it would be a pretty snowy Christmas. She looked so fascinated watching it fall, saying it was gorgeous.

I had to agree with her, the sunroom of her house was weather-proofed. It was almost entirely windows on one side and gave off tons of natural light. She said it was her favourite room in the house during the winter, and I could see why. 

Heather's house always felt like a get-away. Always tidy, grand, beautiful. I loved being there, but it seemed as though Heather got more of a kick out of being at mine. 

She was looking out the windows all afternoon, completely absorbed by the snow and the winter landscape. I just looked at her, watching her smile and her eyes lighting up. 

Luckily the roads weren't too bad, the snow had stopped for the most part and now I was coming over to pick her up. Her driveway was insanely long, approaching her house always felt incredible, like I was approaching a palace. 

I get out and tuck my gift into my coat pocket, grabbing the flowers and walking up to her front door. I ring the bell and to my surprise Eleanor isn't the one who opens it, her father stands on the other side. I feel my eyes widen and my breath leap into my throat, I really hope he wasn't answering it to give me the 'respect my daughter' talk.

"Josh, come on in." He says with a smile and I return it nervously, undoing my long coat. "You clean up nice."

"Oh, um....thank you sir." I say, extending my hand and he chuckles, shaking it.

"Josh please, it's Don." He insists and I nod, feeling myself relax. "So where are you two headed tonight?" He asks and I smile.

"I have a reservation for the two of us at a French bistro Heather's always going on about." I tell him and he smiles with a knowing nod.

"Amoureux, she's been hounding me about bringing her there while I'm in town." He laughs. 

"Then tonight's the opening performance for The Nutcracker ballet downtown, my dad knew someone through work so I actually have pretty decent seats." I admit and then clear my throat before I smile too wide. "I thought she'd like the music and the costumes."

"Well it sounds like quite the evening." He says, sounding impressed. "She'll be ready soon enough, you know Heather, never on time." He chuckles and I nod.

"That's why I told her to be ready fifteen minutes before we really needed to leave." I say and he smiles. 

"She's gone through dress after dress up there, Eleanor's probably ready to tear her hair out at the mess she's made." He says and felt flattered she had put so much time into this evening. "She even put out a call to a stylist to do her hair."

"Wow." I sigh and he nods. "That's a lot of trouble for one date."

"Well she's never done this before." He admits and I feel a smile quirk at the corners of my mouth. "Look Josh, I know there's been some hard times for the two of you and I know I'm not around enough for her. I wanted to thank you for giving her a hand when I haven't been able to."