"I'll have to give that to you. What's up?" she asked, feeling more excited by his call than she let on.
"I wondered if you'd like to go out for a casual dinner tonight," he inquired.
"I was just about to help Mom start dinner here, but I don't think she'd mind if I duck out on her. Shall I meet you somewhere, or will you pick me up?"
"I'll swing by in about an hour. Does that give you enough time?"
"Sure. By ‘casual,’ I'm assuming jeans will do?"
"Yes, jeans will be just fine. I thought we might do Mexican."
"Sounds great; I'll be ready."
She hung up and looked at her mother, who was preparing a casserole to put in the oven.
"Let me guess. That was Dale, and you're going to dinner with him."
"Yes, it was, and, yes, I am. Do you mind?"
"Cora, of course, I don't mind. I didn't expect you to spend every minute of these two weeks with me. Besides, we're having our day out together, tomorrow. Go on and get ready for your date with Dale."
She gave her mother a hug and ran up the stairs to shower and change. Feeling like a young girl again, she hurriedly got ready and was waiting for him when he arrived.
"You look great, Cora. I'll bet you don't wear jeans much in New York, do you?"
"No, not usually. I'm generally dressed in business attire."
Cora's dad walked in and, seeing the two of them together, smiled. "Hello, Dale. Are the two of you headed out, or are you joining us for dinner?"
"We're headed out tonight. I got finished at Dad's office early and took a chance that Cora would be free to join me for a bite."
"Well, don't let me hold you up; have a nice time."
"I'll see you later, Dad. Tell Mom I'm leaving now."
"I will, honey."
Once outside, she pulled her jacket tighter. "It's brisk today, isn't it?"
"Not as cold as New York, though, is it?"
"No, not nearly as cold as New York; you're right about that." In more ways than one, she added to herself.
Once they were in the car and headed toward the restaurant, she informed him, "I've told Mom that I'm leaving on Friday and spending the weekend in Austin with you."
"And what was her reaction?" He looked over at her for a second before he turned his eyes back to the road.
"She said to have a good time."
"You've freaking got to be kidding me."
"Not at all. I swear, that's exactly what she said."
"Who'd have ever thought it? I guess we're on, then. I'll have to come up with some ideas where to take you."
"I told you, it doesn't matter where we go. I'm sure you're well-versed in showing a girl a good time in Austin after all this time."
Chuckling, he replied, "I guess I am, at that."
They pulled into the parking lot of a familiar Mexican restaurant. "I can't believe this place is still here," she said as he parked the car.
"Oh, it is, and the food is still great, from what I've been told." He walked around to her side of the car.
As she watched him, she noticed again what an attractive man he'd become. Even in casual jeans and a Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt, he was a hunk. And mine again, for a few more days, anyway.
She smiled sweetly as he helped her out of the car. As they walked into the restaurant, she noticed that he placed his hand on her back possessively. She liked it.
During the meal, they discovered they shared even a good deal more common interests than they had originally thought. They both liked the theatre, which surprised her. She was not surprised to hear that he was still an avid football fan and held season tickets to the Cowboys games, heading over to Dallas for a game every chance he got. He even admitted to attending the opera a time or two but told her he wasn't particularly impressed with it. She told him she was a sap for old movies, and he said he'd watched a few in his day as well. She let him know she had a weakness for gourmet coffees, and he grinned as he told her she'd have a field day at his condo when she saw his coffee stash.
He worked out, which she could tell by looking at his athletic form. He wasn't the least bit surprised to hear that she belonged to a gym, as well. He enjoyed going to clubs on the weekends but, surprisingly, was content on weeknights to stay in with a good book.
He enjoyed cooking when he had time but ate take out most of the time.
"Wow, you could be living my life; it's uncanny," she said as they discovered more about each other.
He told her what she already knew about his social life. He dated often but usually not the same woman more than a few times. She admitted to the same, although she doubted that she dated nearly as often as he did. It seemed he started to say more, a few times, but stopped himself.
When they had lingered over dinner as long as they could, he paid the bill and suggested they take in a movie at the theatre in the mall. She agreed and, of course, they instantly agreed on which movie they would see. Settling into their seats, he looked over at her and smiled.
"Bring back any old memories for you? I can remember snuggling and necking with you in this very theatre many, many times."
She replied with a grin, "I remember that too, Dale. We used to come to the movies to do just that very thing."
He grinned devilishly as he put his arm around her. "Maybe we should relive some of those memories tonight."
"The snuggling is okay, but I think we're much too old to be necking at the movies, don't you?"
"And if I'm going to be practicing law in this fair town, I need to conduct myself in a professional manner, I suppose," he agreed, although his arm remained around her shoulders. He squeezed her shoulder as he added, "But in private and out of the public eye could be a very different story, Miss Cora Beth." He looked into her eyes, and for a brief moment, she caught a glimpse of the Dale she'd loved as a young girl.
Chapter 5
Cora was anxiously awaiting her weekend with Dale. He had told her he would call her on Thursday evening to finalize the plans. She spent all day Wednesday shopping with her mother and actually enjoyed the time they were able to share. Of course, the subject of Dale came up again at lunch.
"Are you getting nervous about your weekend with Dale?" her mother asked as she sipped her coffee and looked at her daughter.
"I wouldn't exactly say nervous. We discovered that we share a lot of the same interests, and it feels natural to be with him. I just don't know what to expect."
"And I take that to mean romantically?"
Cora found that it wasn't as difficult as she'd expected to confide in her mother about Dale after all this time. She looked down for a moment and then answered quietly, "As I told you yesterday, I don't believe there is a future for Dale and me. It's too late. We've carved out our lives, and they just don't fit together. But I'm not against sharing one romantic weekend with him, if the opportunity presents itself."
"Where there's a will, there's a way, honey. If you still have feelings for him after all this time, doesn't it make sense to explore those feelings?"
"You really want us together, don't you?"
"I want whatever you want, Cora Beth. And whether you are willing to admit it or not, I believe that Dale Barton is what you want. I believe he is what you have always wanted."
"You know, Mom, twelve years ago, on the night we split up, we made a promise to each other. I'm sure he doesn't remember, but I've never forgotten that promise."
"What was that?"
"We promised each other that the year of our thirtieth birthdays if neither of us was married, we would find a way to reconnect and find out if what we had was the real thing or not."
Her mother looked at her in awe. It was a full minute before she could speak. When she finally did, she said, "Don't you see, Cora? Fate made sure the two of you reconnected. This is your year. Please don't let this chance at true happiness pass you by."
"Mom, there's a lot more to it than that. Dale has to want it too. And there would have to be a lot of com
promising for a long-distance relationship to work for us."
"All I'm saying is that you've been given the chance of a lifetime. Spend the weekend with him, and when you go back to New York, see how you feel about him. If he's interested, he'll get in touch with you. And there's no rule that says you can't be the one to get in touch with him."
"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you."
"Sweetheart, twelve years ago when I suggested the two of you split up, I always thought you'd get back together when you'd both finished college. I fully expected the two of you to follow your original plans and get married. I had no idea that you'd stay in Chicago and later move to New York."
"By the time we'd finished college, we'd already begun to drift apart. I was offered the job in Chicago, and he went on to law school."
"I hope it works out for you now; I really do."
"If it doesn't, I'll always have this week and this weekend. In a way, this weekend, we will be fulfilling part of our promise, even if nothing further comes of it."
Her mother looked at her watch. "We'd better hit the other end of the mall."
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as the two women laughed, shopped, and genuinely enjoyed their precious time together.
On Thursday, she met with Tori for one last day of relaxation. The two decided to spend the day at Tori's place, watching movies and eating junk food. As the redhead had put it, it was just like old times. The two friends agreed to stay closer in touch with each other, and, of course, Jonathan and Dale were discussed.
"So you're really going to spend the weekend with him at his condo in Austin?" Tori had asked as she plopped down on her couch with a big bowl of microwave popcorn.
"Yes, I am. I don't know what he has planned. I have no idea if it will be a weekend of fun between two old friends or if it will be a romantic weekend between two old lovers, but either way, I've decided to go wherever fate takes us for one wonderful weekend."
"It sounds like something out of a movie, two old lovers brought together by fate for a weekend." Tori giggled.
"I'll be sure to fill you in on what transpires when I get back home and settled." Cora laughed as she threw a pillow at her friend.
"It's so nice to spend a day with you again. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too. You really ought to take me up on my invitation to come visit me in New York sometime."
"Maybe I'll surprise you one day and do that."
"We would have so much fun. I could show you all the sights, take you to fancy restaurants, and take you shopping at all the upscale New York places."
"That would be a good time. I'll have to try to work it out. I'll let you know."
After they'd watched the last chick flick that Tori had rented, Cora announced that it was time for her to go home and pack. The two friends hugged and promised again to stay in closer touch with each other.
As she was driving to her parents' house, her cell rang. Hoping it was Dale, she answered immediately. It was Kayla, the editor she'd left her extra manuscripts with before she had come to Texas.
"Oh, hi, Kayla," she said, surprised at the disappointment she felt.
"Don't sound so happy to hear from me, girlfriend," Kayla said with a laugh.
"I'm sorry, I was expecting it to be someone else, that's all."
"And by someone else, I take it we're talking about someone of the male species."
Laughing aloud, she replied, "As a matter of fact, yes. Now tell me about work, is everything all right?"
"Way to change the subject, Cora. I just called to let you know that I finished the slush pile you left for me, so things shouldn't be too backed up for you on Monday."
"Maybe I'll stay away a little longer, then," she teased.
"What's the matter, sweetie? Is Texas beckoning you back, or is there someone there who is the reason for this sudden love of home?"
"Let's just say, fate has dealt her hand on this trip. But never fear, I will return to my desk to read about other people's fantasies on Monday morning."
"I'm intrigued, can't wait to hear all about it."
"There may not be much to tell. But I'll fill you in when I get back."
"You've either met some gorgeous Texas hunk or you've rekindled an old flame from long ago. Which is it?"
"Oh, got to go, another call coming through. Bye, Kayla."
Relieved to get away from Kayla's good-natured prying, she answered as Dale beeped in on call waiting. "Hi, Dale, I'm on my way back to Mom's to start packing as we speak."
"Did you and Tori have a good day?"
"We did. We spent the day at her place just relaxing and catching up. I'm trying to convince her to come visit me in New York."
"Now I'm hurt. You invited her, but you haven't invited me," he teased.
"Well, if you play your cards right, maybe you will get an invitation sometime."
"Oh, that's an interesting way of putting it. I wonder what I'll have to do to earn that invitation."
"You're a bright boy, Dale. You'll come up with something. I'm sure of it."
"All kidding aside for a minute, what time are you going to be ready to go tomorrow?"
"I can be ready whenever you are."
"How about I meet you at your folks' house around nine in the morning, or is that too early?"
"Nine is fine. Dad will have left for the office by then, and Mom will probably be going back over to Gram's house to work, so it should work out great. And it will give us more time."
"Exactly, you read my mind. I want as much time as possible with you. Who knows when we'll see each other again?"
"I'll see you in the morning, then."
"I'll be counting the minutes."
Counting the minutes, really, Dale? You certainly have developed a way with words over the years. It's no wonder you can have any woman you want. And I guess I'm no better than any of them because, apparently, you have me for the weekend.
The next morning, he arrived at her parents' doorstep at exactly eight forty-five. After hugging her mother and promising to call her when she arrived in New York, Cora walked outside, with Dale carrying her bags.
"I'll stow your gear in my trunk. I thought maybe we could return your rental car here in town rather than at the airport. That way you can ride with me to Austin, and it will also save some time, Sunday, at the airport."
"That sounds good to me. I should have thought of it myself." She smiled as she helped him with her bags.
"Follow me then to the car rental agency," he said as he donned a pair of stylish sunglasses to shield his eyes from the bright January Texas sunlight.
Doing as she was told, she got into the rental car and followed him. Once she had taken care of her business there, he helped her into the passenger seat of the Lexus, and they were on their way.
"I'm so glad you decided to join me this weekend. I've enjoyed getting to know you again, Cora Beth," he said as he reached over and patted her hand.
"I'm glad, too, and I'm looking forward to spending the entire weekend with you, exploring Austin. I haven't been there for a while."
"I thought we might take in the Elephant Room tonight, for starters," he suggested. "It's an underground jazz club."
"I've never been there, so that sounds like fun," she agreed, smiling at him sweetly.
"I haven't made any plans past that. I thought we'd just see what we feel like doing. I could always take you shopping, but you probably do a lot of that in New York. There's the ballet, of course, but that's not really my thing. As for some of the other clubs I frequent, I don't think you'd be interested."
"Dale, really, don't feel as if you have to entertain me. I'm content to see a movie or go to dinner. We can stay at your place and relax if that's what you want. I go to Broadway shows and shop at home, so I don't need to do those things here. And as for those other clubs, how do you know I wouldn't be interested?"
He looked over at her and grinned. "We'll just play it by ear for the rest of t
he weekend, but tonight, the jazz club for sure."
"I just want to get to know Dale Barton the man, as compared to Dale Barton the boy."
He replied with a hearty chuckle, "That statement could have different meanings, depending on how you take it, dear Cora."
Blushing, she replied, "Take it however you want to take it, Dale."
He glanced at her questioningly before pushing a CD into the player in the Lexus and didn't reply.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, listening to the music, as she thought, I'm being awfully brazen. I'm usually not like this with a man, but then again, this is Dale.
"Here we are, on the outskirts of Austin. What about stopping for lunch before we head to my condo?"
"That's fine; you choose."
"Do you still like Italian food?"
"Yes, I do. I'm surprised you remember that," she answered shyly.
"I remember a lot of things, Cora."
He pulled into the parking lot of a small Italian restaurant and into an open spot. Helping her out of the car, he led her inside and asked the hostess to seat them at a secluded table. Smiling at him knowingly, she led them to a table in the rear of the dining room.
"This is very nice. Do you bring all your dates here?" she teased as he held her chair for her.
"No, I don't. I've only been here once, and it was with a client. This is just for you, Cora Beth."
He ordered an expensive wine from the wine list, and after the waiter had gone, he reached across the table and took her hand. "Cora, I'm hoping you can relax and enjoy your weekend before you have to get back to the rat race of the city."
"I'm relaxed and enjoying already, Dale, thanks to you."
After they had devoured the delicious meal, he announced that it was time to go home. "I'll let you get settled in, and we can hang out at the condo until time to go to the club later. How does that sound to you?"
"Sounds like heaven," she replied, slightly woozy from the wine.
After settling her in the passenger seat of the Lexus once again, he leaned over to buckle her seat belt for her. As his hand brushed her arm, she shivered. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Are you cold?" he asked as he got into the driver's seat.
Her Promised Dom (Dominant Men Book 3) Page 6
