Starting Over (A Linstead Story)

Chapter 9

How long to wait after getting a woman's phone number was one of life's greatest challenges for a man. That was how it felt to Kevin Atwater anyway. Too soon and it looked desperate. Wait too long and it looked like disinterest. He hoped that four days was somewhere near the sweet spot because he was about to call Jess Sutton.

Jess had clearly been keen on him that night at Hunter's, but she had also been drunk at the time. How would she feel when she was sober? There was also the minor, or not so minor, problem of her being Jay Halstead's sister. If he got with Jess and things went sideways, it could have a knock on effect on personal and professional relationships that were very important to him. It was a risk he wanted to take though, because in addition to being likeable and funny, he considered Jess to be up there with the most beautiful women he had ever seen in person. If someone asked him what his type was, showing a picture of Jess would have been an ideal response. To say he was attracted to her would be a ludicrous understatement.

"Make the call," he told himself, sitting on his living room couch. Procrastinating was only going to make it harder, not easier.

He went for it and dialled Jess's number, suddenly considering the possibility that she might have been drunk enough to give him the number incorrectly.

"Hello?" as female voice answered.

"Jess?"

"That's me."

"This is Kevin Atwater. We met a few nights back at Hunter's."

The voice sounded brighter right away. "Oh, hi. I take it I didn't embarrass myself too badly then? I'm not much of a drinker so the gin got to me quickly that night."

Kevin was already preparing himself for the meat of the matter. He was calling with an invite, not to a date as such, but to something of a middle ground.

"No, you didn't embarrass yourself at all. I enjoyed talking to you. That's why I'm calling to invite you to my birthday party next week. No need to bring a gift if you'd like to come, all I'm asking people to do is come in fancy dress. Jay and Erin are coming."

"Ohh a fancy dress party? I've not been to one for a long time. Which night is it?"

"That might help, huh?" he said, cursing himself for messing up the invite. "It's next Friday night."

"Friday," Jess said thoughtfully. There was a momentary pause. "Yeah, I can make Friday. Is there any theme, or just fancy dress?"

"Great!" Kevin said enthusiastically. "Come as whatever you want, so long as it's fancy dress. I'll look forward to seeing you."

"I'll do the same. Thank you for the invite."

"Thank you for agreeing to come. I'll text you my address if that's okay?"

"I'll need that," Jess said with a little laugh.

Kevin laughed too. "Right. I'll send it now. Have a good night."

"You too," Jess said, and hung up.

Overall, Kevin thought that had gone pretty well. He hadn't sounded too nervous or unsure of himself and he hadn't said anything stupid. Most importantly, he had gotten his invite accepted.

-----

The same night as that call took place, Erin was hosting Jay and Jess for dinner. She was making lasagna with added sweet sausage and basil leaves, Jay had just been told. He had also learned that it had become a speciality for her that she had perfected during her time in New York. He couldn't wait to try it.

"The table is set," he reported, returning to the kitchen after completing the assignment.

"Thank you. Hopefully Jess gets here soon. I think I started cooking a bit too early."