Rachel's Turn

Chapter 8

 They pulled into the parking lot at Grady's restaurant and both of them were playing down their nerves pretty well. They hoped. Ryan was a true gentleman and opened the doors for her, and asked for a quiet table in a corner. A corner, she thought. Did he not want to be seen with her? Her heart began to race as they were escorted to the table, worried that this was a mistake. As the waiter walked away he said, "I hope this table is ok. I wanted to make sure we were going to be able to talk and not be distracted by all the noise of the center of the restaurant." A silent gasp of relief escaped her body and she looked and at Ryan, "yes this is perfect." Her words were a relief to his ears.

     She had so many questions for him, but she realized he had been in Iraq for eight months and had learned from the last time he was gone for a few months; she would not talk about his time over there. If he wanted to talk about it, she would gladly listen and despite her curiosities she respected his position and wanted to keep everything positive and fun. She really wanted to know why in the past year he had stopped talking to her about going out with the guys and about how Warren would try to get the ladies and fail. She always looked forward to their funny bar babe encounters; even if Ryan always kept them PG. Rachel was a bit nervous on starting conversation and was glad when Ryan began to talk.

  "So, Rach, did I totally shock you today?" He was losing his mind and trying hard to keep cool but damn she was intoxicating. The table light was caught in the brilliance of her sparkling eyes and he was mesmerized. How had he never noticed those beautiful blue gems before?

 She took a drink of her sweet tea, "What do you think? I thought I was going to look up and see my neighbor and BAM there you were. I am shocked I didn't pass out. I still cannot believe that of all times I did not get your letter. Your letters arrive like clockwork." Oh crap, she thought, did that sound like she was stalking the mailbox daily?

 "I have to admit I could not have planned it better. I actually think it was better this way because the look on your face was priceless! I would have caught you if you passed out and revived you." Rach looked confused but quietly laughed it off. Revived you, really? He realized he needed to say something else quick before she caught onto that statement, "So, you mentioned a week or so ago that you were finalizing your college apps. Did you send them in?" Whew a save!

  "I finished them and sent them to the several colleges in the state so I hope to get scholarship offers in the next couple of months. I cannot believe that this is my senior year. By the way, thank you for my birthday card, I wish you could have been there but I understand."

  "You know I would have been there if I could have, Rach. At least I sent you a card that said 18th on it instead of the sweet 16birthday card that certain out of touch aunt and uncle sent for your 18th!" Ryan saw appreciation across her face and there was her smile. It was nice to know that he could make her smile. He truly did want to be there for her birthday, but he was just getting back from being in Iraq for eight months, hence the week vacation. He had plans to make it up to her.

    The waitress came by to bring them their entrees and refill their glasses. He ordered a rib eye steak, medium, with steamed broccoli and smashed potatoes. She had the grilled chicken salad on a bed of romaine and mixed greens with fresh strawberries, pineapple and blueberries with sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Rachel took her first bite and did not realize the faint moan she made in response to the amazing flavors, but that sound amplified in Ryan's ears and he choked on his steak. "Oh, my goodness are you ok," Rachel said as Ryan took a drink and motioned he was good.

      How embarrassing, he thought. "I am good, just eating to fast because it is so delicious. How is your salad?" As if he needed to ask her if she liked it after that sweet sound she made with the first bite.

    "It is phenomenal. I had this for the first time about a month ago and have been dying to come to eat it again, so I was kind of selfish in picking this place. How is the steak?" Rachel saw a hint of confusion when she mentioned that she had been there before, or was it disappointment? She was not sure.

      "It is perfect. And this place is great. So who was the lucky guy that brought you here? You never mentioned a date in your letters. Are you holding out on me Rach?" He teased her as he spoke but inside he was jealous. She had been telling him everything he thought when they wrote, but maybe she was not willing to share everything anymore. What was he going to do?

      She eased his fear as she explained," My aunt Rhonda and I came here a few weeks ago after a day of shopping for my birthday. Trust me there are no guys here that would want this boring girl, except the 13 year old that played my son in the play at the children's theater, but I told you about that." 

        "Sweetheart there is nothing boring about you." How could she even think for a second that she was boring? And thankfully her aunt took her to dinner.

    His words made her blush and she nervously interrupted, "you obviously have been gone way too long and have not really read my letters. So, what have you and your buddy Warren been getting into? You know you never mention any hot babes in your letters either and you and I both know you have the pick of the litter no matter where you go. I am sure that there are more than plenty navy groupies just waiting to pounce."

     "First of all, I read EVERY word you write me and I remember what you say.  Warren wanted to come home with me this week to meet everyone because he hates his family, but I had to tell him not this time. I wanted to have time alone with you and did not need him tagging along. Besides, I was not going to share my dinner." The words betrayed his efforts to stay cool and neutral with Rach. Crap. Please don't freak out he prayed and continued, "Well, I agree that I have been gone too long."

      Is Ryan flirting with me? Rachel nodded her head in agreement as she took a sip of tea. He sat back in his chair as the waitress took away their plates from the table. He felt the need to continue, "One of the best perks of being in the military is being busy so not much time for entertaining anyone not on the base. And there were a couple groupies as you call them the first year but none since. I am kind of Warren's wingman now. He needs all the help he can get."

    From what he had written about Warren, he was more of a play boy than Ryan is, or used to be, and Warren only wanted to get a piece of booty. Rachel noticed Ryan kept staring at her, she felt like he could see her thoughts. "Why are you staring at me? Oh my, do I have something in my teeth?" She placed a hand over her mouth to stop the offense.

     Ryan thought was so cute sitting there getting all fidgety and he wanted to kiss her sweet lips and let her know he wanted her. He was busted. She caught him staring at her, now what does he say? Before he could think, he reached over and took her hand away from her mouth," No Rach, you do not have anything on your mouth. I feel like I am seeing you for the first time and I don't know how to not look at you. I do not mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just been so long."

     She could feel the rush of warmth betray her cheeks and hints of red flashed through her face. "There's a lot about me that you haven't seen before..." Holy crap did she just say that? She was being so bad and it felt so good! The look on his face proved that he was very pleased with that answer. They both laughed nervously.