More Than I Bargained For

Chapter Two: The Second Date

(The picture to the right is Lynn, Aynsley's mother.------------>

P.S. Her eyes are supposed to be brown, not blue-green-whatever.) 

Chapter Two

"Grady wants to have dinner with us in an hour," Mom said.

   "Gosh, we just had dinner with him yesterday," I complained. "How do you know I don't have plans?"

   "I'm sure they can hold off...can't they?" Mom asked.

   "Sure. This seems really important to you," I told Mom.

   "Thanks, sweetie," Mom said grabbing me in a tight hug.

   "Okay, let me go so I can get ready!" I pulled away and darted up the stairs.

   I shut my room door behind me and took a shower. Wrapped in my towel I stepped into my closet.

   "Ugh," I sighed. I could not decide what to wear.

   Where were we going for dinner? Would it be cool or warm? Would it be dark or light? Do I want something loose or tight? Flowing or hugging? Intricate or simple? Cheerful or dim? Long or short? High heels or flats? Boots or sandals? Jacket or coat? Vest or cardigan?

   I usually never put much thought into what to wear; even when I was going on a date. But this seemed as if it mattered. And I wasn't sure why.

   A few hourse later we arrived at the restaurant. I'd finally decided on a hugging, ruffled white tank top, tight black skirt that went mid-thigh, a black blazer, and nude pumps. I kept my head down, playing with my bag as we walked to our table.

   "Hey, honey," I heard my mom say, followed by the sound of kisses.

   I heard Grady and Evan greet each other then I started to pull my chair out when Grady was suddenly at my side.

   "Let me get that for you," Grady offered. I look at him, our faces close, nearly touching. Our eyes were locked. As soon as I looked him in the eyes I felt...something. Not bad. Something good. A connection? "You look great," he whispered.

   I breathed in his scent. "Thanks. You too," I said drinking in his fitted black blazer, white dress shirt, black dress pants, and beige loafers. I broke his gaze, flipped my hair over my shoulder, and sat down.

   For about the next hour Grady and my mom whispered in each others ears, made googly eyes at each other, and burst out in random fits of laughter. Evan was on his phone most of the time, about one-fifth of the time adding his two-cents in the conversation. I just picked at whatever course we were having at the moment. Weirdly enough, Grady kept stealing glances at me and the weirder thing is...I did the same.

   "I'll be right back, I just have to use the ladies' room for a moment," my mom said after the dessert arrived.

   "I have to take this, be right back," Evan said, stepping off to talk on his phone.

   I looked up to see Grady staring at me. "Is there something on my face?" I asked horrified.

   "No, you look gorgeous. Your eyes...they're stunning," Grady said.

   "Thanks," I said blushing.

   "Lynn is really fantastic. She's a great mother to you guys. She;s a wonderful person. She tells me all the time you're alot like her. Sweet, nice, friendly, brave, honest...beautiful," Grady said. His gaze intensified. "I'd love to find out for myself."

   I blushed deeper. "Maybe you can. I'd love to see if you're as extraordinary as she says you are."

   "She might be exaggerating just a tad," Grady said.

   "I don't know," I said. "I mean, she was right about you being drop dead...gorgeous, of course."

   "Thanks. She didn't hold up your rep as high as you really are. You're definitely more beautiful than what she described. Also more unique...you're different. I like it. You're much nicer and welcoming than what she let on."

   "I could say the same for you. Looks like my mom's been holding out on me."

   "No way. She's definitely been holding out on me."

   We were leaning toward each other over the table, eyes locked. Grady flashed me a beautiful, crooked smile. I swear my heart skipped a beat. I dropped my gaze, his look too intense.

   "What'd I miss?" my mom asked cheerily.

   Grady and I shrank back into our seats. They resumed talking and I took a big bite of chocolate mousse. My heart beart quickly, my breaths short and heavy. What was I doing? There was no way I flirting with Grady. Was I? It couldn't be possible. Of course not. I didn't like Grady that way, I wasn't interested. It was simply friendly conversation.

   I told myself this over and over. But deep down inside I had a feeling that wasn't entirely true.

   When we got home I darted up to my room. Head swirling, I took a long, hot shower and went over the dinner in my head. The way he talked to me. The way he smiled at me. The way he looked at me...and the way I looked at him. I felt something there. I just wasn't sure what. Or if I even wanted to know. But I do know something happened that night. Something that put my perspective of him in a new position, that I never knew was possible. Something that would enhance and alter our relationship in a positive or negative way, depending on your view or postition. Something that would ultimately change...everything.