The Start of Time

Chapter 12

Jordan Anderson.

Still as much of a perfect gentleman as the day I met him. He's so different from anyone I ever pictured myself with. Very headstrong and secure in how he feels deep issues and ideas and exceptionally open with details of his life.

He knows exactly what to say when I'm having a bad day, and I swear, he must have grown up surrounded by women because sometimes he knows what I need before I do. I feel like most of the women he's ever dated would probably put him in the amicable breakup or "one that got away" category.

It only took him three days to ask me to dinner, but I'm not complaining. We've been talking ever since Sunday, and I actually have the desire to text him back. Unless I suddenly forget how words form sentences, dinner shouldn't be too awkward.

But knowing me, I just jinxed myself by merely saying it out loud.

But knowing him, maybe, just maybe, he'll think it's cute.

I know. I know. Any time a guy seems too good to be true, there's always a skeleton in the closet. Hopefully, his won't be too terribly bad. Maybe it will be like a baby skeleton or something.

And of course I'm already thinking about skeletons in the closet before we even go on our first date tonight. Who even does that?

The good thing is I'm much less nervous than I thought I would be. That doesn't mean that I haven't googled "what to wear on a first date" seven times, only to decide on a simple red top tucked in a black wrap skort with these cute little bow sneakers.

It's the middle of summer, and he said we were probably going to be walking a lot. I figured if Kennedy did my makeup with a simply extravagant summer look and I actually fixed my hair that I could be super cute and comfortable all at the same time.

I don't know if I should be nervous or not. It's been a while since I've been on a real date, but being anxious about it isn't going to help me out at all.

That's when the doorbell rings, and then he's standing in front of me with the biggest smile on his face. I'm not really sure what my first instinct should be other than thinking "Damn, he is fine."

I sure hope I didn't actually say that loud.

"I'm so glad you actually listened when I said we'd be walking. Not that I'd mind carrying you on my back if I need to."

"Don't get your hopes up just yet."

And there he goes grinning at me again.

We both know there's no way that he'll have to carry me on his back on our first date, but it's flirty and cute to make jokes about it. I grab my wallet and sunglasses, and we're headed out the door.

We're riding down the highway to some secret location that I've never been before. He doesn't immediately reach for my bare thigh or do something that increases any sexual tension, but every once in a while he glances over and smiles at me. Slow and sweet just how it should be. Something that has the greatest potential to grow into something amazing.

Something that begins with the picnic he's planned in Rolling Hills park. Even though I'm not exactly a nature person, Jordan finds a way to make it beautiful and enjoyable. He places the basket in the crook of his arm and takes three strides towards me, reaching down to lace his fingers through mine.

"Is this going to be okay?"

"I guess so. As long as you promise not to let any bugs attack me."

"Don't tell me the gorgeous, confident woman is afraid of a little bug."

I know he's only teasing me, but if I see a spider crawling on me or my food, I will have a conniption.

Luckily, the fifteen minute walk to his favorite spot is only full of casual conversation and colorful flowers until a small waterfall emerges among the trees, leaving me speechless mid-sentence.