Just around the corner

Chapter 10

Jason POV

Fuck me! Laura looks fucking amazing. Like goddamn. The first thing to come out of my mouth is telling her how amazing she looks. Nice one Jason, what a great first impression, I internally chide myself. Her daughter Misty is her exact replica, if I didn't know any better you would be able to pass them off as sisters and not mother and daughter.

Laura just keeps smiling at me. I watched her check me out, and lets just say my ego grew a few inches bigger.

"Shall we get going?" I ask her. I stick my arm out and Laura places her hand on my inner elbow. We slowly make our way down to my truck. I keep stealing glances at her and am still completely stunned at how beautiful she is.

I help her into my truck and close her door behind her. Walking around to the driver side I take 3 deep breaths. I need to calm the raging hard on that is threatening to ruin this night. Climbing into the truck, I try to adjust myself with Laura not seeing. 'Come on Jason. You are not an 18-year-old boy anymore. Cut this shit out' I say in my head.

I made reservations at a little Italian restaurant in my hometown. The food here is amazing and I am hoping that it impresses the beauty sitting next to me.

"So after I had paid for what I thought was just a normal photo shoot, I received the email saying the Boudoir shoot will take place in the city. I thought maybe it was a mistake. I rock up to the place a week later ready for some family photos and as soon as I walked into the room, I nearly had a heart attack and died. It wasn't a boudoir photo shoot. It was a BDSM photo shoot. I had to shield the girls eyes" Laura says while laughing. I couldn't help but laugh along with her.

"What happened next?" I ask her. "Lacy only being 6 at the time asked, "Why are there chains on the walls mummy?" I couldn't look her in the face and give her an answer. I was embarrassed beyond belief" Laura giggles. I laugh so fucking hard I start snorting which then turns into Laura laughing even harder, snorting herself.

We pull up to the restaurant. Thankfully there were no more awkward moments in the car. My little 'big hard' problem went away with a lot of self reprimanding. I am not going to ruin this night by acting like a horny teenager. I get out of my side, close my door and walk around to Laura's. Opening the door and giving her my hand to help her out. Luckily I am standing here, as when she slides out she loses her balance on the stones and falls into my chest. "Woah there, little lady, you already falling for me?" I laugh out. I watch the blush creep up her neck to her cheeks.

"If you play your cards right Mister, who knows what I am capable of doing" She sasses back. Woah, be still my beating heart. I know I only met her a few weeks ago, but I can see this woman in my future. I'm such a love-sick puppy, I know.

We walk into the restaurant arm in arm. I open the door for her and place my hand on the small of her back. The hostess asks for the name on the reservation and I give to her. She grabs 2 menus and walks us to our table. I pull out Laura's chair and push it in as she is sitting down. She smiles warmly at me. I walk to the opposite side of the table and take my own seat. There are candles lit on the table and just looking into her eyes in this moment, I feel like all my Christmases have come at once.

Laura POV

So far, this night has gone well. He has not made me feel uncomfortable. I did notice him readjust himself when we got in the car which made me giggle to myself. I still have it! The conversation on the way here was light and breezy, I'm still very embarrassed about the snorting incident but it was what we both needed to break the ice.

I order the chicken risotto, while Jason went the traditional, pizza. "Sorry, did I just disappoint you with my meal choice?" He asks me. "Never, if I knew you were this laid back, I would have ordered the same. I love pizza" I excitedly exclaim. "Well maybe next time we can have a dinner date at one of our houses and eat pizza and lounge around in our trackies and hoodies?" He says with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Oh someone is cocky. Already planning second dates, when we haven't even finished the first" I wink at him. Our meals come and I try my hardest to eat in a ladylike fashion. I am not used to this. I am used to eating like a mess because Alex never cared. I love my food and will let those around me know.

I can see Jason eyeing off my risotto. I scoop some up on my fork and offer it to him. He shakes his head at me. "Oh come on, I see you eyeing it off. Unless you have an allergy to anything in it, you will eat what I am offering" Jason raises his eyebrows at me. "Are you offering anything else for me to eat tonight, Laura?" I get the meaning of what he says and can feel the blush creeping up my face.

I hide my face in my hands. Embarrassment running through my veins. I feel Jason's hand lightly grip my wrist and pull one hand away from my face. "I'm sorry Laura. I didn't mean to embarrass you" He apologises to me. I shake my head at him. "No, no. Please don't apologise. It has been a really long time since a man has flirted with me. I'm rusty" I respond. "What do you mean it has been a long time since someone flirted with you? You are gorgeous Laura. I would expect you have men falling at your feet" Jason asks.

"I was married to the love of my life for 15 years this year, we were together for nearly 18. He unfortunately passed away last year. This is my first date since his death. I'm sorry" I whisper out the last part to him. "Oh I am so sorry to hear that. If you are feeling uncomfortable at all, we can leave" Jason says. "No, this is the most comfortable I have been in a long time. You have made laugh like I haven't laughed in a long time. Thank you for this, Jason" I smile warmly at Jason, hoping he understands what I am trying to say.

The rest of dinner went off without a hitch. We ended up sharing a dessert, well I actually ate majority of it. Sorry, not sorry. Once the bill came, I reached for my purse to help pay but Jason had other plans. "I asked you out for dinner Laura, so I will be paying" I go to argue with him, but all Jason does is holds up his hand to tell me not to argue. I sit back in my chair and huff like a child.

Jason laughs at my actions. "How old are you Laura?" "I'm not telling you. You are such a meanie" Jason laughs again. "You are way too cute Laura. Come on, let's get out of here". We both stand up from the table. Jason reaches out to me and I grab his hand. I feel this could be the beginning of something beautiful.

All night, Alex has always been in the back of my mind. All I could hear was him telling me he is happy for me to move on. I deserve to be happy. It was like he approved of my choice of dating material.

Jason is a true gentleman and helps me again back into his truck. The drive back to my house was quiet. We both are lost in our own heads. My mind keeps going back to all my conversations with Alex back in the days. He always gave me his blessing to move on if he were to die. I did the same for him. My biggest concern right now is Lacy.

Before I knew it, Jason had pulled up into my driveway. I look towards Jason and give him a soft smile. He smiles back and jumps out of the truck, coming around to myside. Opening my door for me, I take his hand and slide out of the truck gracefully. "Oh now I'm sad. You didn't fall for me this time" He says with a frown on his face. "We still have time, I still have to walk to the front door" I tell him with a small giggle.

We start walking towards the front porch. His hand in mine. "Thank you Jason. It was such a good night. I didn't know I needed this" I say quietly. I look in his eyes, then move to his lips then back to his eyes. "Laura?" I look at him again and just let the universe control what is happening. I move closer to him and raise my hand up to his cheek then around to the back of his head. I pull his head down to mine and I kiss him.

Jason doesn't take long with reciprocating the kiss. One of his hand reaches to the back of my neck and his other holds my hip. The kiss wasn't wild. It was soft and sweet and just what was needed after the date. "So looks like my cockiness earlier was on point" Jason says into my lips. "Yeah I think so" I say pulling back.

Jason steps off the porch and watches me with hooded eyes. "I'll be calling you very soon Laura" Jason smiles at me. "Don't keep me waiting Jason" I wink at him. I move towards the front door. I turn and watch Jason walk to his car with a little spring in his step.

The smile cannot be wiped from my face tonight. As I watch Jason leave, I keep thinking to myself 'This was the right thing to do'