Stevie had no idea what to expect going on a date, a real date, with Chad. She wasn't putting him down, but she really didn't know much about his financial state and such, so she wasn't sure whether they were going to a restaurant or somewhere like a bar, where you could also order a half decent burger. She wouldn't say she was fancy, but after so many years of being able to allow herself a rather luxurious lifestyle, she would definitely be more up to having a nice meal at a romantic little spot.
For the first time, Stevie was ready early, she still had about twenty minutes and it was mostly because of her nervous energy. She had picked out a black chiffon skirt, which stopped just above her knees, a white, for once, plain blouse and a black jacket, short at the front, lower at the back. The makeup she wore wasn't too much, yet she did apply red lipstick. Her hair was long, straight and gorgeous as ever.
With several minutes before 7 pm, Stevie zipped up her high heeled velvet boots and walked into a cloud of her favorite perfume. As she was taking the final look at herself in the mirror, the doorbell rang and she reached for the handle to open it.
"My God..." Chad breathed, looking her over from head to toe, himself wearing black dress pants and a white button up shirt. "I should have asked you out the very first time we met."
"Thank you." Stevie smiled a little, admiring his appearance as well. "We match."
"Probably look like we're going to a funeral too."
She laughed, grabbing her purse, putting it under her arm, as Chad took her hand, for her to step over the threshold. She locked the house and still holding hands, they went to the car, as he opened the door for her.
"So, will you tell me where we're going?"
"We're going to this nice small restaurant. I'm not sure what your expectations are, but the place is very cozy and the food is just fantastic."
"Sounds perfect."
They spoke mainly about the day's events while on their way, since it was Saturday and Chad had a day off. Stevie, as usual, wanting to know about Greta, the girl having captured her heart already. Chad saw how much Stevie cared about his daughter, despite having been around her only a handful of times, but even on one of those first days, when Stevie let him go early to be with his child, that told him a lot.
"Here we are." Chad announced, as Stevie looked through the car window into the restaurant and he didn't lie, saying it was cozy, it looked like it. Intimate even. As soon as Stevie got out of the car, Chad took her hand again and a small gesture like that awoke the butterflies in her stomach. He was letting people know she was his date.
They found a table in a corner and settled there, neither craving any unnecessary attention. A waiter approached them shortly, leaving the menus. They called the waiter back minutes later, having decided on what to order, Stevie asking for a glass of wine as well.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked, instantly feeling insecure.
"Why do you think?"
"I don't know, you've got all sorts of crazy things on your mind, like that I'm beautiful."
"Well, that's the exact reason why I was looking at you like that."
"Can I ask? And it's quite frank."
"Of course you can."
"Do you honestly like me; as a person, as a woman? Or do you have some ulterior motive? Because let's be fair, I'm twenty years older than you, my glory days are way behind me, I do know I look good for my age, but you know... I'm not going to have plastic surgery to fix one or the other. Neither am I skinny as a stick, I have a bad hip too."
