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Joe walked past the mirror next to his front door then stopped right in his tracks. He took a look at himself and ran his palm over his beard. This was the first time in a while he'd found himself concerned with his appearance.
Somehow returning Kylie's now empty and sparkling clean baking dish had gone from simple to complex all due to his nerves.
Honestly, he could've waited until his usual Wednesday evening, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't excited for an excuse to see her sooner than normal.
Though he had made fun of her lasagna, it really was the best meal he'd had in months. Hell it was the first one that hadn't come from the freezer section or a fast food bag.
All in all, he appreciated what she'd done because she didn't have to, and it really reflected to him the kind of person she was.
"I'll be back, Mr. Daniels" he said to his large labradoodle, Jack. Jack barked as he watched Joe leave and lock up their home.
Joe had one stop to make before he headed over to the bar.
Trish looked up from the magazine she was reading when the bell above her door chimed, signaling a customer's entry. Her eyes went wide in pure shock and disbelief. "Joseph? My goodness I haven't seen you in six years. Not since—" Trish trailed off and closed her magazine. "How are you Joe?" Trish's eyes dimmed a little when asking but to her surprise, Joe smiled.
"I'm good Trish, better these days even." Joe looked around the floral shop at the beautiful arrangements Trish had personally crafted. Quickly changing the subject from himself, Joe pointed to a table of flowers, "I'm looking for something that says...thank you, and also maybe...I like you?"
Trish raised her brows in surprise. She hadn't seen Joe in years. Six to be exact. After his wife passed, he'd disappeared. Left their town immediately and only recently came back. He had been a mess. Honestly no one was confident he would make it out of the dark place he'd gone into. "Are they for a special lady?"
"Something like that." Joe began walking around the small shop, his cowboy boots clicking heavily on the wooden planked floor. "Well, yeah, exactly that. She is special."
In their Tennessee suburb just outside of the big city, when his wife passed from ovarian cancer, he instantly became Nashville's most eligible bachelor. He was known for building the homes of many stars from many genres across the state and a few neighboring ones and had amassed quite a fortune for himself. But, he was always humble and people loved him even more for it.
"Tell me about her, let's see if we can find something she might like."
Joe sighed, "that's the thing. I don't know much about her except she makes my drinks at the bar some nights." He gave a small smile at the thought. "She's gorgeous too. I saw her at the grocery and you know, we have that playful thing going on right now. Anyway, she made me dinner. Guess she didn't like my basket of frozen dinners. So I just wanted to return her dish and thank her." By now Joe was rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"Well," Trish whispered with tears in her eyes and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I just never thought you would find happiness again. I hope this one works out for you."
Joe gave her a thankful nod and let her show him her most beautiful and intricate flower arrangements.
He wanted something bright like Kylie's dimpled smile, so he ultimately decided on a sunflower and tulip bouquet.
After making his purchase, Joe headed to the bar. It wasn't late, only nearing 7 PM but he didn't know her schedule and hoped she was there working.
Of course when he arrived, the restaurant was packed. It was dinner time on a weekday so it was expected. Joe smiled at the onlookers admiring the bouquet in his hands as he walked over to the bar.
There was another girl there tonight, along with a young gentleman. Joe took a seat at the bar and waited patiently to be serviced. "Good evening, sir." Tammy slid a napkin in front of him for his glass. "What can I get for you tonight?"
"Uh, actually I'm looking for Kylie. Is she around tonight?"
"No, not tonight. She has the evening off." Tammy informed him. "Would you like to leave a message?"
"No," Joe stood from the seat. "That's okay. I'll catch her another time." His reply was solemn and he was completely unable to hide his disappointment. "Thank you, Tammy." He nodded in her direction and headed for the exit.
Joe sat in his truck for a moment, trying to decide if he wanted to grab something to eat or head home. He really didn't want food from the bar, or the frozen dinners he had at home. Honestly, Kylie's lasagna had given him a strong desire for a home cooked meal. "Maybe it's time to buy some real groceries." Joe started his truck and headed to the only other place he frequented these days, the grocery store.
Joe pulled into the fairly full parking lot of the local grocery store. It was nearing Thanksgiving so people were trying to collect their needs while they were still stocked.
Joe exited his truck and pulled his cap down lower because the wind was not being kind to him. He was walking across the lot towards the store's entrance when he noticed a young woman fighting the cold, trying to push her cart towards her car. Upon closer inspection, he realized she was just the person he was looking for. His eyes lit up in surprise. Joe quickly jogged over to Kylie and took control of the heavy basket before she could even realize who he was. "I say at this point we have our first date here."
Kylie's face scrunched up in confusion and she was ready to take her basket back but then she recognized him. "Joe," she laughed. "I thought you were some creep sneaking up on me!"
"No, I actually just left the bar, looking for you." He walked beside her at her pace. Since she was much shorter, it wasn't his usual fast pace but he didn't mind
"Oh yeah? I'm off today...obviously." She motioned to the basket and stopped alongside her Camry. "Why were you looking for me Creepy Joe?"
"Because I have something for you. Let me grab it from my truck." Kylie loaded her groceries into her truck while waiting for Joe to return. She didn't know he could possibly have for her, so when she saw him approaching with flowers, she was genuinely surprised.
"Are these for me? What for?" She took them into her hands and held them up to her nose.
"Dinner, it was very sweet of you." He tucked his hands into his pockets nervously. "You really think I'm creepy?"
Kylie's eyes widened. She hadn't meant to hurt his feelings. "No, no...sorry if I offended you. You just...stare a lot."
"You're beautiful."
"Thank you." Kylie blushed. "So...do you have any plans for dinner tonight?" Kylie used her free hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I don't. I was actually going inside to find something. That is unless you would feed a lonely old man again."
Kylie laughed, "you're not old and unfortunately I'm all out of favors." She said to him then watched as his brows furrowed. "If you wanna eat, this time you have to help cook."
Joe smiled at that, "I'd love to."
"Good," Kylie shut her truck and watched as Joe walked towards her driver's door. He opened it for her and held it as she got inside. "Follow me?"
"I'd follow you anywhere." Joe shut the door and Kylie rolled down the window to reply.
"See," she laughed. "You say things like that and wonder why I call you Creepy Joe."
"I did earn that one." Joe agreed. "See you at your place." Joe waited until her window was rolled up and finally headed back to his truck. His evening had worked out perfectly after all.
