1969 | a.u. a.i

6

Ashton's P.O.V

It's Friday night and I'm getting ready for tonight with Grace. I'm nervous. Ever since the incident, she hasn't really been talking to me. Her mother has been inviting me for supper everyday this week. Grace wouldn't even look at me. I put on some cologne and grabbed my car keys.

I walk out my house with my front door locked. I get in my car and headed towards Grace's. I pull up in front of Grace's residence and got out of the car. I walk up the short steps to the porch and knocked on the door. The door opens revealing Harriet. She smiles real big at me, "Ashton! Come on in." She steps to the side for me to enter the house.

"Grace will be down shortly. Come sit." She gestures towards the living room. I sit down on the couch while she takes a seat in the wooden rocking chair. "I'm sorry on how she's been treating you. She doesn't like it when people show her sympathy." Harriet tells me rocking. I look over at the white woman.

"It's okay. I understand. I just want to protect her that's all. Ever since the party. All I want to do is make sure she's okay." I confess. Harriet smiles at me. "You're going to grow on her. Just keep coming over and she'll get the gesture." She winks at me. I chuckle. I hear a door being closed and my eyes travel to the stair case.

In all her glory, Grace reveals herself with a navy blue two piece revealing her belly button. The top being long sleeve with the ends being ruffles and the pants being bell bottoms. She's wearing black stilettos making her three inches taller. Her hair his down with loose curls. I never knew how long her hair was. She always had it up in a bun. She's wearing a little bit of make up. Just mascara and lipstick. She's wearing silver earrings.

She looks at me, "You're staring again." She smiles. I clear my throat and stood up walking towards her rubbing my hands together. "You look beautiful." I tell her. She gives me a toothy smile. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself." She winks. I smile, "Why thank you." She walks past me to give her mother a hug. I watch the two interact. I smile at the sight.

I walk towards the two with my hands in my slacks. Harriet gets up. "You two have fun. Bring her back by midnight." She tells me with a pointed finger. I smile, "Yes ma'am." I lean in and place a soft kiss on her cheek. Grace walks towards the door. I follow behind her. We walk out of the house and went down the few steps.

She held onto my arm so she wouldn't fall in her heels. She let's go once we hit the pavement. I open the gate door for her. She smiles at my gesture. I close the gate and opened the passenger door for her. "Thank you." She says softly getting into my car. "Your welcome." I smile at her closing the door.

My hands are sweaty. I wipe them against my slack. I fix my peach button up shirt that's tucked into my black slacks. I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly calming myself down. I open the door and got in. I started up the car and putting it into drive, "Let's get this night started." And we were off.

~~~~

We make it to the diner. I open the car door for Grace. I extend my hand out for her to take. She takes it and lifts herself out the car. She doesn't let go, "Thank you." She smiles. I close the door behind her holding onto her hand. "Let's go." I motion with my head. I intertwine our fingers. I feel her thumb rub against mine. I smile.

I open the door for her. She smiles up at me and walks in letting go of my hand. I place my hand on her lower back and guide her to a booth. We slide into the booth sitting from across each other. I see that she crosses her legs underneath the table. I lean forward just taking in her beauty.