Retribution

Chapter 3 - Dreams Can Come True

I managed an excellent impression of a dying goldfish in response to his unexpected question.

"But that will mean giving up your independence for this one occasion and letting me pay," he said, a quirky smile folding over his features.

"I...but you barely know me," I said, trying to steady my spinning mind.

"I know. Hence asking you to dinner. I would like to know more about you."

Before I could say anything more, the boys came running over, begging us to join them in their game of football.

Jake checked his watch and sighed. "I'm sorry, Lewis, but we're going to have to leave. I've got to have you back at your mum's shortly." Jake looked at me and smiled. "So, was that a yes to dinner?"

My heart skipped several beats as I finally found the voice to accept. Was this really happening?

As we stood to leave, he lifted my hand to his mouth and brushed the lightest of kisses over the back of it. Thankfully, the boys decided to have a race to fetch the football, so my audible gasp was a secret between me and Jake.

"Here," he said, handing me a thick, cream coloured card. An art deco gold border framed the simple black numbers running across the middle of it. No name, nothing. Just the number. "Text me your address. I'll pick you up at seven. Does that work for you?"

After a few seconds, I tore my eyes from the number emblazoned on the card and looked at Jake. He was so handsome. Those cheek bones, the sparkling blue eyes, tanned, silky skin—this had to be a dream, surely?

"Yes," I said, nodding. "That works."

***

Now being five minutes to seven, I was pacing up and down in my living room, chewing my nails in anxiety. Mum was upstairs with Harvey, playing Mario Kart on his Wii.

With my stomach churning over in knots, I could do little to calm the doubting thoughts telling me he wouldn't turn up, it was all just a dream, or worse, a joke. Aside from the fact this was my first date since splitting with Adam, it was also the obvious point of who it was.

I'd been through three dress changes, finally settling on a black and white number with an asymmetrical line. It was figure hugging, and still looked new as I'd only worn it once before. Complete with a thick black shawl draped around my shoulders and upper arms, and a pair of black and white strappy sandals, I was satisfied I looked acceptable enough to be heading on a date with an A-list movie star.

Panic stricken thoughts about Adam began to creep through my mind as I heard a deep throaty rumble from outside. My heart stopped dead. A fresh sweat broke out all over my body. He was here. He was actually here. I grabbed my perfume, dowsing myself one last time just as his knock echoed around my house.

"Have fun, Lou," Mum said, almost drowned out by Harvey's shouts of joy at winning. I smirked to myself, wondering if she'd let him win—he was a sore loser to say the least.

I drew a deep breath and headed for the door. When I opened it, I struggled not to voice the 'wow' that wiped my mind blank of all other words. The man standing before me looked too good to be true. Was he really here for me?

Tailored black trousers hung from his hips, hugging his legs enough to give definition. A lemon coloured shirt complemented not only the dark trousers and matching jacket, but his sun-kissed skin and fair hair. With just the top few buttons on his shirt undone, he had the perfect sharp, sexy, casual look.

A broad smile illuminated his face as he looked at me. "Wow. You look absolutely amazing." A slight shade of pink flushed his cheeks as he presented me with a single red rose. "My lady," he said, offering me to take his other hand.