Southern steel- Mack

12. Eden

Today was the big day. I just finished getting ready when a text came in.

Levi: I'm downstairs but can't get into the actual dorm building. This really ruins the whole gentleman vibe I'm going for here, when I can't pick you up at your door.

Me: Totally forgot about that. I'll be down in 2 minutes.

I rushed down to the main entrance. Well, I rushed as much as one can in tiny black 'neck breaker' heels and a dress that fits you like a glove. It was a silky little black number. The top had little thin straps. The bottom looked like a wrap dress that went just past my knees, but left one legs exposed up to mid thigh. I had never worn anything this revealing. It made me feel beautiful and sophisticated.

I slipped my coat on before I got to the front door. There stood Levi on the other side of the door. He really was a gorgeous man. I'd never seen him dressed up before. We were always at the bar, and both in jeans and t-shirts.

As I opened the door he handed me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and offered me his arm. "You look beautiful. Ready to go?"

Oh he was on his wooing game. I slipped my hand in his arm and smiled at him, "Thank you. Yep, I'm all set."

We got to his truck, and he came around and opened my door and helped me in. He quickly walked to his side and hopped in and started it up.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"I called in a favor with Silas to get reservations at this new restaurant in town that has been booked solid. We are doing this first date thing right."

"You're the only date I've had, but I'm pretty sure you're killin' it right now." He turned and smirked at me apparently proud I approved of his dating skills so far.

A little while later the hostess walked us to a gorgeous table in one of the most beautiful restaurants I'd ever seen. Levi came over and helped take my coat off. I just barely heard him whisper so only I could hear. "Holy shit, Eden! You in this dress is obscene. Absolutely stunning." He handed the hostess our coats and pulled out my chair, then took his seat across from me.

We ordered too much food, ate, talked, and laughed. It was the best time. Conversation came so easy. Besides my family and Prez no one ever genuinely wanted to know so much about me. I don't know that I had ever felt so seen.

"What do you want to do after school?" Levi asked.

"What do I want to be when I grow up?" I grinned at him.

"Eden, I hate to break it to you but you're pretty fucking grown up already. If you weren't, the thoughts I had when I seen you in this dress would be very inappropriate."

I felt heat hit my cheeks. Had anyone ever viewed me as grown up? I guess I was. I was living and supporting myself. I gave Levi a soft smile. "I guess I'm not used to people not treating me as a kid or a nuisance. It's a nice change."

"You're one of the strongest and mature women I have ever met. You work hard at school, the bar, and the gym. If I thought we had romantic feelings for each other, I'd probably try to wife you up right now."

I knew what he meant. I thought of Levi as an amazing friend. I didn't get those love type of feelings or butterflies around him. Don't get me wrong, he made certain parts of my body flutter, but it was farther south than my stomach. He was man pretty but rugged at the same time and all the time he spent at the gym showed. It kind of pissed me off because why didn't I feel that insane connection with Levi? He seemed like an amazing man.