After the Date

We have been driving for a few hours to my family's ranch for an Easter dinner. CJ is in the back seat hanging out the window and trying to bite the wind. I insisted that he come along. He's a good barrier for us and I thought it could be a comfort for Harvey if anything gets too weird. My thumbs are circling each other in nervousness. This is a big step for me, bringing someone home to meet the family. Dad has insisted on separate bedrooms and it will be quite difficult to be separate from him but in the same house. That man has completely knocked my socks off.

This man driving gives me all good feelings and I still worry that I am not even in his league. He is so established that he could really have his pick of women. I have been wondering why he was on a dating app. Between the house, the business, the dog, and to top it all off he is a total gentleman. Today when he pulled up in his all-black pick-up truck he got out and came around to the passenger side to open the door. I will admit that I have drooled over this small gesture. Yes, we have been out a few times since, and every time it takes me back to how much of a gentleman he is. Not just the car door. He holds the door for me, pulls my chair out, looks at me making me feel like he isn't looking at anyone else. Half the time I have to look all around to see if it is me that he's looking at or if there is someone else. We aren't exclusive and so I don't know if he is seeing anyone else. I honestly am not sure how all this works.

"You ok beautiful?" He asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

Ha, I think to myself. No. "Yeah," I can only nervously smile.

"You nervous?" He smirks.

God that's sexy. "Pssh, no," I hope to convince myself.

He chuckles and nods his head looking back toward the road. Without looking away he reaches his hand over and slips his hand into mine. His touch is actually comforting and I grip his hand back wanting to relay my gratitude for his calm demeanor. CJ will sleep well tonight. Between the biting of the air and the running he will do out at the house, that will be one worn-out dog.

I had a "girls" day with Todd's girlfriend, Candy. She was teaching me how to look more like a girl. The amount of pampering for a maybe cuddle sleepover was exhausting. I cursed at her when she waxed me. You don't even want to know what was said. It took forever too. On our first date, I did make more of an effort with the dress and hair. Make-up was subtle. Think the boobs helped to mask any mistakes I made. But for a whole weekend, I had a serious meltdown and Todd told me he brought in the big guns. I gulped hard when she walked in the door. I am not her biggest fan but the moment Todd told her it was for Harvey then she jumped me like a fat kid on cake.

I have never brought anyone home. Scratch that, I've brought my guy friends home, but never anyone I was interested in. My mother would give me so much crap about finding a husband because Cindy's daughter was already knocked up with baby number whatever. Or Carolyn's son was getting married. Each visit was always a "did you hear" conversation. But for me, Marcy, I would talk about the pick-up game I joined. Momma would shake her head in disappointment because I hadn't found anyone. When I told her I was bringing someone home, and not just a guy friend, but a real potential boyfriend she hung the phone up. Dad had to call me back and scold me for teasing mom. Have you ever had to convince your parents that you have an almost-boyfriend? no? Good for you. That was a fun conversation.

We spend the rest of the drive sitting in comfortable silence. This has been something that has been a common thing between us. I don't feel the pressure to carry on a conversation.