Stubborn and in Love (Book One)

That's Amore

Melody's POV

"Brown, my office!" I heard Jack yell.

 I headed in and closed the door behind me. 

"What? I was just about to take my lunch break." 

"I wanted to see if you'd have dinner with me tonight."

 I was taken aback by his offer and had to think about my response. 

Before I could respond he said, "Actually, I wasn't offering. You're coming to dinner with me. No arguments, Agent Brown. I'll pick you up at eight."

 I smiled playfully at him.

 "It's a date then, Chief."

Later that evening I was getting ready for my date with Jack. I had tried on at least ten outfits already. I wanted it to be perfect. I finally settled on a sapphire blue dress with a v neckline. I completed the look with loose curls and my favorite red lipstick. I finished putting on my heels just as I heard a knock on my door. I swung it open and saw Jack who was standing in a dashing blue suit. 

"You look beautiful Melody." 

He kissed my cheek softly and held out a bouquet of flowers. 

"Aww Jack, this is so sweet. Let me put these in a vase quickly and I'll be ready."

Like the gentleman he was, Jack opened the car door for me and was careful it didn't catch on my dress. We started driving away. I couldn't help but feel butterflies. 

"Where are you taking me Jack?"

 "That's for me to know, and you to find out."

 I watched excitedly as he pulled into the best Italian restaurant in town. He helped me out of the car and offered his arm to me. When we walked inside he approached the front of the house.

 "Hi, I have a reservation for Thompson." 

"Ah yes, follow me this way, sir." 

Jack pulled out my chair for me, and I opened the menu hungrily. After we ordered, I couldn't help but stare at his perfect blue eyes.

"Are you really the same man I met all the way back in Atlanta? You're much more..." 

"Respectful?" he concluded.

 "Well, yes. You did shove a ten down my shirt." 

He laughed and blushed. 

"I'm sorry I was such a jerk. You're just, so much like me. I felt intimidated." 

"What? The great Jack Thompson was intimidated?" 

"Well you do throw a mean punch, Brown."

 We spent the rest of the evening engrossed in conversation and laughter.

After dinner we decided to take a walk around the streets of New York.

 "This really is the city that never sleeps," I commented.

 "Do you like it here?"

 "Well it's different from Atlanta, but in a good way. Looking back, that probably wasn't the best place for me."

 "Why not?" he asks. 

"I had a pretty serious relationship back in Atlanta, and I was never able to fully move on from it. He was pretty abusive towards me. Leaving the city left that chapter of my life behind, which was exactly what I needed."

 He took my hand in his and continued down the street. 

"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm here." 

I rested my head on his shoulder as we walked. There was a man playing a saxophone on the street, and I pulled Jack over to him.

 "What are you doing?" He questioned.

 I tipped the man and asked him to play Can't Take My Eyes Off You. I rested my arms on Jack's shoulders and started swaying to the soft music. I looked up at him, and his eyes looked as if he wanted to say something. I held my breath, but the look soon vanished. I knew Jack wasn't one to share his emotions, so I would give him time. We swayed and he twirled me until the song ended. The perfect end to a perfect night.

Jack's POV

Standing there dancing with her, I wanted to say it. I'd known her for what felt like a lifetime, but it was only our first real date. She looked up at me expecting something, I felt it. I couldn't do it yet, the timing had to be perfect. She rested her head on my shoulder and my stomach turned to butterflies. 

I never got butterflies.