Over the Moon

Red Velvet - Chapter Five

Excited for Red, Goldie wanted to be certain she dressed with flair. Several outfits later, Red pulled out the black cocktail dress, Goldie just grimaced, "Nope."

"But I like this one."

"Too classic," Goldie said.

"Okay, what about this one," Red held up a flower-print sundress.

"Too Summery. This is a date with Hunter Woodsmen, not a stroll through the park."

"Well, that does it! We've gone through my entire wardrobe and I have nothing to wear." Red flopped on her bed, muttering something incoherent before letting out a long slow sigh.

Goldie shook her head. When it came to baked goods, Red was brilliant, however when it came to men and dating her best friend was clueless.

Goldie stormed over to Red's closet and started throwing items out of it, stating the flaw with each garment that sailed over her head.

"Perfect!" Goldie exclaimed, finding what she desired.

"No, Goldie. That is way too over the top for a dinner... business... date thingy."

"Are you kidding me?! It couldn't be more perfect! With your hair and complexion, you have to wear this," Goldie said, holding up a red-hot number, sweetheart neckline, a little swing to the hips, it would fall well above the knees. A soft touchable fabric that was the perfect shade of crimson.

"Whoa, you still have the tags on this! You've never worn it?"

"I bought it to wear the night I thought Elias was going to propose. However, I learned before our date that night, his proposal... " Tears stung her eyes. "For us to merge our businesses, not our lives. I should have known that's what he wanted. So stupid and naive. He used me as a pawn in some sick twisted game to try and get his greedy paws on Granny and her recipes."

"I'm so sorry." Goldie so regretted picking the one thing that would bring such a painful memory to her friend. She always wondered why things ended. Red never wanted to talk about it. "Maybe, it IS a bad idea?"

Red took the dress out of Goldie's hands. "No. I bought this dress to celebrate. Should I get what I want tonight, Granny's Cakes will be saved and that's an idea worth celebrating."

Goldie beamed at her friend. "That's the spirit!"

An hour later, Red came out of her room ready for her date.

"Oh, my God look at you!" Goldie giggled with glee. "You look amazing!"

"Thanks! And thank you for hanging out with Gran tonight. I feel better knowing she won't be alone."

"I don't need an adult sitter," Granny complained, "but you do look beautiful, dear."

"Thanks, Gran. I'll be on my best behavior tonight, I promise."

Knowing her grandmother still didn't approve of the idea of her going out with Hunter she wished to reassure her. Red understood her grandmother's concern though. She had been far too trusting with Elias. Granny tried to warn her but she refused to listen, going her own way and that mistake nearly killed her.

They heard a knock.

"Well, I give him marks for coming to the door at least." Granny rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Elias would have just called her phone and told her to come down."

Red put on her coat and opened the door, hoping to make a quick exit. She came face to face with a beautiful nosegay of posies. They were her favorite flower. "Oh, how sweet," Red said taking them from Hunter and breathing in their scent.

Hunter briefly cupped the back of his neck. "Um... thanks, but those..." He pointed to the flowers. "are for your grandmother. I figured it was the least I could do since I am depriving her of your company all evening."

"Oh," Red flushed and handed the flowers over to Granny, who also reddened from the sweet gesture.

"Thank you, Hunter. They are just the thing to uplift the spirits." Granny pushed Red towards him. "Now you two have a wonderful time, but don't stay out too late."

"You have a curfew?" Hunter teased.

"No, but she's not one to be trifled with," Red admitted.

"I see. No need to worry, Granny. I will have her in bed before you know it," Hunter boasted.

When Goldie spit out her tea, and Granny's eyebrows nearly reached the heavens. Hunter wondered what he said wrong. Running the sentence back through his mind, he colored.

"I didn't mean that the way it sounded," Hunter fumbled and Granny smirked. "I know dear, just a slip of the tongue. Let's make sure it stays that way, shall we?"

Red just put her face in her hands. Good Lord, what a start to the evening. She felt positively elated when they finally reached the street and breathed in the crisp fall air.

Red looked around for a car when she didn't see one she asked, "So, where are we headed?"

"My place," Hunter said as he began walking down the street. It had taken him a second or two to realize Red didn't follow.

He doubled back. "Problem?"

"You live in Chicago?" Red questioned puzzled, feeling much more nervous about this entire situation.

"No, but my hotel room is a suite and has a pretty decent kitchen, so I ... uh... I wanted to cook for you."

"Cook? For me?"

"Yes. What do you think... a critic can't cook? You should know I ran my own place before becoming a food critic."

"Really?"

"Yep, a smokehouse, The Woodsy Woodsmen." Hunter sighed. "I loved the smell of that place. So much flavor depending on the type of wood you used. I sort of became an expert in the field and then people would ask me to try out their place, give them some friendly advice. One thing led to another and I became a critic. So, you game?"

"Are you cooking barbecue?" IF so, she way overdressed for tonight.

"No, Silly. I already told you, I have a craving for something Spanish. Stopped at the local Farmer's Market and picked up the goods. Oh, darn it!"

"What?"

"I just realized I forgot dessert."

Red smiled at him and it took his breath away. "Do you like cheesecake?"

"Love it but that takes over 4 hours to make there wouldn't be time to..."

"Hunter?" Red broke into his musing to point to Granny's sign above his head.

"Be back in a minute," she told him.