Miss Lola.

Chapter 5.

When our eyes met we cracked up  laughing like two idiots.

"Girl, I couldn't pronounce half the things on that menu." Hollis admitted. "I'm so relieved that you chose the sea bass. At least I know it's just fish."

We shared another chuckle.

"I wanted to order the filet mignon but the words got caught in my teeth. So, how was your day?"

"Pretty good. We sold some cars today. How was your day?"

"I had to watch my daughter's kids today and it wasn't fun."

"What was so bad about it?" Hollis asked.

"Everything." I said with a dramatic eye roll. "Rhonda, that's my daughter, has these three little energetic kids who run me ragged."

"Sounds like your hands were full." Hollis said.

"You have no idea. Don't get it wrong, I love my grandkids but I'd rather not babysit them."

"Well how about that." Hollis settled back in his chair looking impressed.

"What?" I asked.

"I was just thinking how amazing it is that such a young looking woman like you actually has three grandkids. My son doesn't have the first child."

"Well, you can always adopt mine." I half joked.

"I'd like to meet them, one day. And your kids too."

Him saying that caught me by surprise.

"Really?"

"Yes. I want to get to know you better and that includes getting to know everyone  who's connected to you."

Whoa, let's slow it down a tad. My face must have reflected how I was feeling because Hollis looked concerned.

"Did I say something wrong?" He asked.

"No, well...I don't know because you're talking like someone who's serious about starting a relationship and we've only just met."

"I'm a man who knows what he wants and doesn't mind going after it." Hollis said. "But if you're unsure..."

"Oh, no. I'm far from unsure." I said quickly. "It's just that I've been hurt before and it's kind of hard to...to let go."

Hollis reached across the table and placed his warm, strong hand on mine.

"If you want to take it slow, then we can. That's not a problem for me."  He said.

Man, he's smooth, I thought. Or was I tripping?

This man stirred up all sorts of feelings in me and made my body thump with just one touch of his hand.

I cleared my throat and gently tugged my hand free from his, placing them inside of my lap like a demure school girl.

Hollis flashed an uncertain smile,

"Are you alright?" He asked. "I know I can come across as too strong and I apologize for that."

"No, don't apologize for being yourself. I'd rather you keep it real than be a deceiving player."

His thick brows raised at my choice of words and then he chuckled again and nodded his head.

"What?" I asked.

"You've just surprised me, that's all. And I'm not a player." His brows crinkled. "I wouldn't even know the first thing about being a player because believe it or not, that's not how I was raised."

Humph, that's what they all say. I thought.

"Tell me about your son? Is he also a car salesman?" I asked to change the subject.

"No, actually Jeffrey is studying medicine. He aspires to be the first doctor in the Williams family."

"That's wonderful. You should be proud of him."

"I am." Hollis said firmly.

By the time our food and drinks had arrived our conversation was flowing more naturally and at the end of the evening I realized that I was even more attracted to him.

His smile lit up his entire face and pushed his twinkling eyes into almond shapes which reminded me of the shape of my own eyes.

"Shall we go?" Hollis asked, distracting me from staring at his thick, juicy bottom lip.

I have a thing for lips, the thicker they are the better and his aren't dry or crusty or caked with spit in the corners which is gross and just ill bred to be walking around with lips that look like you've  eaten an entire bag of those sugary, white powdered donuts.

"Yes, let's get out of here." I said.

Hollis paid the bill and taking my arm once again he led me outside into the balmy, night air.

"And what would you like to do now?" He asked.

Oh, I can name a few things but not on the second date. Did I mention my three month rule? No?

Well, I have this rule that I absolutely will not sleep with a man until after three solid months have passed because if he can hold out for that long then I know he's serious about me.

"Umm...well let's see." I pretended to think it over. "It would be nice to see the fireworks in Soldiers park."

For a moment Hollis looked blank but he covered the lapse with that mega watt smile which I was beginning to like more and more.

"Oh, right. It almost slipped my mind. Do you think we're dressed for something like that?"

"I'm comfortable enough in this dress. It's light weight material." I said.

"Then I'll leave my jacket and tie in the car. Speaking of which, are we taking your car or mine?"

"I think I like yours better."

Hollis owned a smoke gray Jaguar F type which had that delightful new car scent.

The interior was black leather and the seats hugged the contours of my body like a long, lost family member.

He zoomed us away from the restaurant and towards Soldiers Park, where the city put on some kind of event almost every single night. Weather permitting.

It seemed like the entire town had turned out, there were so many people crowded around until I felt like I was in a big budget action movie.

As soon as we got settled on the bleachers overlooking the area where they were shooting off the fireworks, my doggone mobile phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Ma, it's your daughter."

"Very funny, Rhonda. What's up?"

"Nothing, I was just checking on the rug rats." She said.

"Oh, well, they're fine. Thanks for asking." I said dryly.

"Cool, can I speak to Tommy?"

"He sleep."

"What? It ain't even nine o'clock yet."

"They were tired. Look Rhonda, just check on them tomorrow."

"But I thought that you wanted me to pick them up tonight?" She pointed out.

"I've changed my mind. Listen, just pick them up tomorrow morning. I gotta go." I swiped end just as the first fireworks blazed across the sky.