Lindsey's jaw dropped, when Stevie opened the door, doing a double take, having to make sure it was really her. She didn't say anything, letting him have his moment, as she stood with a hand on her hip, smirking.
Faking a cough first, Lindsey then tried to speak. "H-hi. Good evening."
Chuckling, Stevie let go of the door handle, allowing him to come inside. "Good evening to you, too."
"If I thought you were beautiful already, then I don't know what word to use to describe the way you look tonight."
"I tried." She shrugged, reaching for her coat.
"Allow me." He insisted, holding it for her.
"Thank you." She smiled slightly, then grabbed her purse. "I'm ready when you are."
"Oh, right." Lindsey shook himself mentally, get a grip!
He showed the way to his car, opening the passenger's door and closing it, once Stevie climbed in. He quickly walked around the front, getting inside as well. Turning the engine of the car on, he glanced at her nervously, praying he doesn't embarrass himself.
"Relax." Stevie said, placing her hand on his forearm. "I'm not your son's teacher anymore, once I walk out of the school. I'm just Stevie."
"Yeah, you certainly don't look like a teacher either."
"In a good or a bad way?" She asked, crossing one leg over the other, her dress inching upwards.
"Good, definitely good." Lindsey nodded and pulled out of the parking lot at last.
When thinking of where to take her, Lindsey decided on his favorite little spot, which he went to with his friends from time to time, knowing he'd feel comfortable there, also thinking it wasn't too bad to bring in a woman also. He tried to understand her reaction when they walked in, without making it too obvious, and his guess was that she approved.
Finding a table, they sat down, a waiter approaching them right away. Stevie ordered red wine and when Lindsey said he would like the same, she was slightly surprised. Brad never ever even had the tiniest thought of drinking anything other than beer or whiskey, when he was really going for it.
"I was so sure you wouldn't want to go out with me."
"Why is that?" Stevie raised an eyebrow, resting her chin on her clenched fist.
"I don't know." Shrugging, he looked down. "Um... If I'm honest, I haven't been in a relationship for years. I didn't know how women wanted to be approached these days." Laughing lightly, he explained. "Besides, what a woman, as beautiful as yourself, would want with someone like me?"
"What are you talking about! You're a handsome man, Lindsey. You are. You have gorgeous blue eyes, the shade of blue I have never seen before."
"Stop, you'll make me blush." He joked. "I'm supposed to make you do that."
Smiling, she wanted to get back to what he said a moment ago. "So, you're single?"
"I am. I... Well, Will's mother and I didn't really work out. We separated when Will was about a year and half. She just said the whole family thing wasn't for her. I haven't dated much since then."
"What, in over ten years?"
"That's right. Pathetic, I know."
"It's not. It's surprising." Stevie said, picking up her glass of wine and taking a sip. "Do you still have feelings for Will's mother, that you can't move on or..."
"No, that's not it. I couldn't actually say I ever loved her. There was a party, we got wasted, we fell in to bed... A couple of weeks later - I get a call."
"I see. You shouldn't give up, though, I'm sure she's still out there for you."
Yeah, right in front of me, Lindsey thought to himself. "What about you?"
Breaking their eye contact for a second, Stevie knew she had to tell him the truth, she just didn't know how, without causing him to walk out... "Well, I've never been married. I don't have any kids. But..."
"Oh, here comes the but."
"I know this is immoral, but I am in a relationship. I should have told you when you asked me out, I know that, but the thing is I do like you. I think why I agreed to see you is mostly because I want to break up with him, as if this is making it less wrong... But the truth is, we haven't been happy for a long time, quite frankly, our relationship makes me sick, it's just that I don't know how to leave him."
While at first Lindsey thought all his fantasies were crushed, now he realized things might not be as bad after all. "How long have you two been together?"
"My God... Um, it has to be about six, seven years."
"Wow..."
"Exactly. You must think I'm a horrible person..."
"No. Not when I like you as much as I do." Lindsey half smiled, understanding that despite the details Stevie told him, he could get himself into a messy situation if they were to start anything.
"It's just that, I know we won't get married, probably won't have children either, so... And I want that." Shrugging her shoulders, she downed the last of the wine, definitely up for a refill. "But anyway, let's not get into all that."
"Sure, of course." He nodded.
"Right. You know I'm a teacher, but I haven't got a clue of what you do?"
"I'm a chiropractor." Lindsey said, the surprise evident on Stevie's face. "Yeah, I know I probably look nothing like one."
"No, you really don't. Maybe I'll have to ask you for some help with my back just to make sure." Stevie said, as if that wasn't any kind of hint.
"At your service 24/7." Lindsey laughed. "Do I have to ask you to sing for me, so I know you're really a music's teacher?"
"I haven't always been one. I took that up, because I needed a job."
"You don't particularly like it?"
"I do and I don't." Answering honestly. "I love the music." She said.
"Why not try a career in music?"
"I, um..." Shrugging her shoulders, oh, I've tried it. "Never had the support I guess."
"Touchy subject, I can see."
Nodding, she took a big gulp, as soon as the waiter brought her another glass.
They spent another hour or so, talking, sharing and getting to know each other better. The whole time finding subtle ways to flirt, clearly both of them enjoying it. Feeling rather tipsy, Stevie called it a night, knowing if they continued on with their evening, most likely, she was going to open up too much and Lindsey didn't need to know about certain things yet if ever. He offered to take her home and she didn't fight him on it.
When they stopped by the apartment building, Lindsey got out of the car first and opened the door for her again, also holding out his hand to help her. He also accompanied her to the door, being the perfect gentleman.
"Thank you for tonight. I needed that and I had a great time." Stevie said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Me too. I know what you said about the man you're with, the fact alone that you're with someone... But I would really like it to see you again and not just around the school."
"Well, I'd like to see you again as well."
"That's great then."
The two fell silent, both lingering, both having the same feeling inside, yet debating whether they should do anything about it.
Deciding for them, Lindsey, after all, stepped closer, cupping her cheek, as he leaned in and captured her lips. She couldn't suppress a moan, wrapping her fingers around his rest, as if it was necessary for her to hold onto something, otherwise she would fall.
Parting their lips at last, Lindsey smiled, saying. "Until the next time, Ms. Nicks."
