The Good Wife (COMPLETE)

Fourteen

I was so nervous. Brendan would be here any second and I was pacing my apartment, trying not to bite my freshly painted nails. I couldn't remember the last time I was on a date. I didn't want to screw it up. I couldn't screw it up. I liked Brendan too much now. I had too much at stake with my still healing heart. A knock on my door sounded and I practically squealed. I grabbed my wrap and my purse and quickly took one last look in the mirror before I opened the door.

Brendan turned to me and I think my jaw just about dropped open. He was looking devilishly handsome in an all black suit and his hair slicked back. He produced a dozen roses from behind his back and thrust them towards me.

"For my beautiful date," he said, eyeing my black dress up and down.

I put them to my nose, inhaling deeply. "They're beautiful, Brendan. Thank you."

"Not as beautiful as you," he whispered in my ear as he kissed my cheek. I touched my fingers to it, feeling a deep heat set in. He waited by the door while I quickly found a vase to put them in and tried to calm my racing heart.

"Ready?" He asked, extending a hand my way as I came back to him. I nodded and took it as he led us to the elevator and we waited. I could feel his eyes on me and it made me feel slightly empowered. I felt beautiful for the first time in a long time. The red in my cheeks deepened. The elevator dinged and the door opened and we made our descent. His car was running out front and he opened the passenger door for me, lending me a hand to help me down inside.

The GPS was already set and Brendan followed the on screen instructions. I nervously squeezed my sweaty hands together, wondering where the heck we were going. I took some deep breaths to clear my slightly dizzy head.

"Abby?" Brendan said as he stopped at a red light.

"Yeah?" I sounded a little breathless.

He gave me a gentle smile and pried apart my hands, taking one in his own. "Relax," he said, gently rubbing the back of my fingers. "There is nothing to be nervous about."

I nodded and tried to give him a reassuring smile as my heart was thrumming away like a hummingbird. His hand was warm and surprisingly soft. It felt nice in mine. I watched out the window for the rest of the ride as I tried to calm my nerves.

We slowed down as we got deeper into the busier part of town, full of restaurants and nightlife. I stared out at the neon glowing lights. Brendan lucked out and found a spot to park on the street. We climbed out and started walking down the street. Brendan's hand found mine again and we walked in ease, perfectly in sync with one another. He started to veer off our course and I looked to where he was heading. Red cursive lettering announced one of the most expensive restaurants around, Rialto.

I slowed down, coming to a halt while trying not to fall in my low heels. "Whoa, whoa, Brendan, we can't go here."

He stopped and looked back at me, a worried expression on his face. "What? Why not? Have you been here before? Was the food bad? I'm sorry, I should have asked where you wanted to go."

I shook my head. "No, no, no, this place is just too nice. I'm not worth a dinner here. I'll only come in if you let me pay for my half," I said, standing my ground.

He looked a little relieved at my answer. He took my other hand and just looked at me for a moment. "First of all, you are worth the world, Abby, and if I could give you that, I would. As for splitting it, I'll consider it, if only to make you come inside with me. Please?" He begged with a soft voice and even softer eyes.

My heart melted a little. "Okay." I said, letting him lead us to the door again. "But I am paying for mine." He made to protest and I stopped in my tracks again and just gave him a look. He reluctantly agreed and I walked into the door he held open.

We stepped up to the podium. Brendan cleared his throat. "Hi, reservation for Gamby."

The hostess nodded and looked over her notes in front of her. "Ah, yes, Mr. Gamby, we have you all set up at the back. Follow me please." She grabbed two menus and led us through the towering, elegant restaurant towards the back. She stopped at a secluded, intimate little booth and pulled my chair out for me.

"Thank you," I said with a smile and took my seat, scooting in. She handed me my menu and then gave Brendan his.

"Enjoy your evening," she said as she left.

"Thank you," Brendan said as he looked over the drink menu. He looked to me. "Please get whatever you want."

I looked over the menu and swallowed hard. It was all so expensive, it made me feel guilty. I could do so many good deeds with the money we were about to spend.  I had a feeling he wasn't actually going to let me pay my part either.  Brendan must have seen my look of hesitation.

"Whatever you want. I just want you to be happy tonight. And if," he glanced at the menu. "Gold-dusted tilapia makes you happy, then so be it."

I glanced at where he was looking at on the menu and I think my eyes almost bugged out of my head. Two hundred dollars for a piece of fish? Who in their right mind would do that? "I don't think I'm in the mood for fish tonight."

"Okay, well, whatever you want. Seriously Abby.  You deserve this."

I sighed.  It was only one night.  And I could get the next one.  Or the next couple, I thought to myself as I continued to look over the menu.   As long as I didn't blow it and there was a next time. That or else I would be owing him a lot of free coffees.

Our waiter came to take our orders and we chatted over our meals. Not once did he pull out his phone and his attention stayed on me the whole time. I felt seen again. It was nice to feel seen. To feel like I mattered and what I said mattered too. I felt like a person again. My heart warmed.

"That was so amazing," I said, reluctantly putting my fork down.

Brendan grabbed the dessert menu and flipped through it. "It was. And you see? There was nothing to be nervous about." He pointed to a delcatable brownie picture. I nodded and he waved our waiter over to put a request in.

"Honestly, I'm just glad I haven't puked on you yet. No promises after that brownie though."

He laughed. He looked happy, genuinely happy. Something I realized I hadn't seen in Mark for years. And for the first time in a long time, I felt happy too.

*THE END*

I can't believe it's over!  

*sniffles*

A big thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read this, you all inspire me to keep going forward.  Please feel free to leave me any comments or send me any questions you may still have.  I hope you'll also consider reading my other works as well.  I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as i enjoyed writing it.  Thank you again!! 

All my love,

XOXO,

KAY