When TLC was over Joe and I went back to the hotel. I got ready to go. (Date dress and outfit in the media section)
There was a knock on the door and I answered it. Joe was standing there. He looked absolutely amazing in his grey t-shirt, dark jeans, and black vans. His hair was pulled back in a low bun.
"Wow. You look....amazing." he said.
I smiled and looked down blushing. "You too."
"You ready to go?"
"Yeah." I said.
He held out his hand for me to take it and I did.
We walked down to the main lobby and everybody was just staring at us. It made me feel weird.
When we got to his truck he opened the door for me to get in. "Than..." I trailed off. I started looking around because I felt like I was being watched.
"You okay?" Joe asked.
"Yeah." I said shaking the feeling off. "Thank you." I said. I climbed in and he shut the door.
He climbed in the driver seat and we drove out of the parking lot.
***
We pulled up in front of a nice restaurant and stopped the car. It was a really nice place.
"Wow. I don't think I've ever been here. It looks really expensive." I said.
"It is." he said.
"Joe..."
"Don't worry. It's as expensive as some other places." he said.
We got out of the truck and shut the doors. I had the feeling like I was being watched again. I started looking around getting a little freaked out.
"Hey." Joe said. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. I, um, I think so." I said.
"If you don't feel well we can go back and do this another night." he said.
"No. It's okay. I just, I have the feeling like someone's watching me." I said.
Joe looked around for a second. "I don't see anybody. Besides, if somebody is crazy enough to mess with you while I'm around, then they're just that. Crazy. I won't let anybody hurt you."
I smiled. "Thanks." I said.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him into the restaurant.
We got our table and ordered our food.
"This is a really nice place." I said.
"Yeah. It is. Jon told me about this place." he said.
"Jon?" I asked.
"Yeah. He brought this one girl here on a date once and he said that they have the best food."
"Jon has a soft side? I've never seen it."
"Yeah you have. Tonight after you won your match. That was a soft side of his." he paused. "Jon doesn't really let many people see his soft side. Most of the girls he's dated have used him and just been really horrible to him. That's why he hasn't tried to get close to any girl. He's been hurt one too many times."
"Wow. I never knew." I said.
"He doesn't like to express his feelings to many people. He tends to stick to himself when it comes to his feelings. I just got lucky one time and he confided in me. We've been best friends for a long time. Jon likes to, uh, sleep with different women instead of talking. And on the rare occasion that he does get into a relationship, he doesn't stay loyal."
"Poor Jon. I mean, I know he has a tough exterior but he doesn't deserve that. He's been really good to me."
"He's good to his friends. Loyal to them, unless you screw him over. I've been on his bad side a few times. Not pretty." he said.
"Yeah." I said.
Our food came and we enjoyed it as well as the conversations. Joe really was a good guy and he could make me smile and laugh. I liked him.
When we were done with our food we walked back out to the truck. I was about to climb in when I looked the left. My dad was standing there. I went backwards and fell on the ground.
"Katie!" Joe said. He came over and helped me up. "Are you okay?"
"No. He's here." I said pointing to where my dad was standing.
He was gone.
"I don't see anybody." he paused. He turned me towards him. "Let's go back to the hotel. You don't seem okay."
"No. I'm, I'm fine. I just, got scared."
"Of who?"
"My dad." I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"I can't talk about it. Um, let's just continue our date. Yeah?" I asked.
"Sure." he said.
We climbed in the truck and I just kept looking over where I thought my dad was. He was coming back for me. I knew he was but nobody was gonna believe me if I told them. I had to keep this bottled up and in the vault. The only person I could confide in right now, was my mother. But I knew that if I did that, she would call Jon. She loved Jon and she loved the fact that he promised her he would look after me.
Joe and I went to an exhibit that was really cool and then decided to go back to the hotel.
He walked me to my door and we stopped. I smiled up at him. "I had a really great time tonight." I said.
"Me too. Maybe we can do this again sometime. Maybe Friday?" he asked.
"Definitely."
"Great." he said.
I was about to walk into my hotel room but Joe grabbed my arm gently.
"Katie, before I go, I need to do something." he said.
I knew what he was gonna do. "Okay." I said.
He leaned down and slowly pressed his lips to mine. I felt instant sparks. My nerves told me to deepen the kiss but my heart was telling me to just leave it at what he wants it to be. This was the right speed.
When he pulled away we smiled at each other.
"Goodnight." he said.
"Night." I said.
I walked into the hotel room and Paige wasn't there. She was out with all of the other divas tonight and they probably wouldn't be back for a while. I got out of my dress and into pajamas and went to sleep.
