“Pets have a way of getting under our skin in such a powerful way… We’re going to take care of this little guy the way Sisi wanted.”
“You’re all right with keeping him?”
“Him? You’re a boy?”
“Mew.”
“Can he stay?” Jake repeats.
“Ah! Asking a woman if she wants to keep a kitten is like asking kids if they’d like more toys, or…”
“I get it, I get it. You’re okay with the kitten.” Jake’s furrow relaxes a bit, and he leans on me to pet the tiny cat.
“We should name him,” I say.
“I want to call him Lucky.”
“You want to call a black kitten Lucky?”
“Yes, because he is lucky. He’s going to be the most spoiled cat in the world.”
“That he is. Lucky, you like it?” I ask the kitten.
“Mew.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I scratch him again. “We need to do so many things,” I say, turning toward Jake. “We must accessorize the house for kitten needs and we need to find a vet…”
“Come here.” Jake pulls me in a side-hug. He brushes the hair away from my forehead. “I love you, you know?”
“I love you too.”
“Mew.”
“Yes, and we love you too,” I say to Lucky.
A warm fuzz spreads in my chest. The family’s expanding already, my family with Jake.
Fourteen
After You
♦♦♦
Saturday, August 5—London
The night of our first official date, Richard picks me up in a black cab. I greet him with an embarrassed peck on the lips, blushing madly as I do. I’m a shy person. I know we’ve kissed already, but this is still too new for me to be completely comfortable or relaxed around him. We get in the car and Richard gives the driver an address in Peckham.
“Where are we going?”
“Since we both love eighties movies, I thought you’d enjoy another one.”
“There’s a movie theater showing eighties movies?”
I love how I can always discover new things about London.
“Yes, it’s an open air rooftop, actually. They’re showing The Blues Brothers tonight. You’re from Chicago, right?”
“Yes, a small town nearby. I miss Chicago sometimes and I love The Blues Brothers!”
“They also have a great rooftop bar, so we can have a casual dinner there too.”
“Sounds amazing.”
And it does turn out to be amazing. The place, the movie, the sky, the food, it’s all perfect. The theater is on top of a tall building with stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline, watching one of my favorite movies under the stars, is incredibly romantic. It almost feels like Richard bribed the sky to stay clear of clouds and wink down at us from a million sparkly dots.
We’re seated in beach-like chairs that don’t allow too much closeness, but it’s all right. I’m still debating where I want tonight to end. And being too close to Richard would be distracting. Every now and then, I throw a side-glance at him, taking in all the different expressions he makes that I still don’t know. The way his eyes sometimes pop in surprise or the grin pulling at his lips when he’s amused but not laughing yet. He’s a great guy who’s taken me on a perfect first date. Any girl should call herself lucky to be with him. So why can’t I stop categorizing him as plan B?
When the movie’s over, Richard leads me toward the elevators and we catch an empty one. As soon as the doors close, Richard’s lips are onto mine. He presses me against the elevator’s back and lets go of me only seconds before the doors open again on the main floor. Well, he’s definitely not shy. I walk outside, confused, and follow him onto the street where we jump into another black cab.
On the taxi ride home, I’ve as much buzzing in my belly as in my brain. My lips are still swollen from the kiss, spreading tingles of excitement through me, but the excitement is verging on panic. I have so many questions fluttering in my brain. Like, when we get home should I invite Richard in? Am I ready for third base? Will I ever be ready? Is sex third base or is there a fourth? I always get confused by the bases.
All this second-guessing is weird because I’ve already been with another man after Jake. His name was Michael, and we dated for a year. So it’s not as if sleeping with Richard will be my first time with someone else after I broke up with Jake. Then why does it feel that way? Maybe because last time I’d deluded myself I was over Jake, whereas now I’m painfully aware that no matter how much time has passed, I’m still in love with him.
Richard chooses this moment to brush a thumb over my hand and all my rational thinking gets sidetracked. It feels, mmm, I’m… conflicted. This is one of those classical situations where body and mind—or heart in this case—don’t agree. Okay, let’s calm down and put the jigsaw pieces together.
Evidence number one: I’m in love with Jake.
Evidence number one-b: Jake’s married to another woman and probably making love to her right at this moment.
Evidence number two: Richard’s a great kisser, he knows what he’s doing, and there’s chemistry between us.
Evidence number two-b: I don’t need to be already in love with him to sleep with him. I need to let myself fall in love with him one small step at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Evidence number three: I’m not committing to anything for life. It’s just one night. Yeah, I should take things on a day-by-day basis from now on. That should be my new life mantra.
Final piece of evidence: Amelia’s staying at Dylan’s tonight and we could have the apartment all to ourselves.
When the black cab pulls up in front of my building, Richard asks the driver to wait for a second while he says goodbye. Ever the gentleman. I exit the car, chanting in my head over and over again: to invite him in, or not to invite him in? To invite him in, or not to invite him in?
Richard rounds the car and is at my side in a few quick steps.
To invite him in, or not to invite him in?
“I guess this is goodnight.” He cups my head with both hands and gives me the softest kiss.
To invite him in, or not to invite him in?
“I should get going now; want to do something next week?”
To invite him in, or not to invite him in?
“I… yes, I mean. Wait here.”
Acting braver than I feel, I walk past Richard, lean forward, and knock on the cab’s window. The driver immediately rolls it down.
“Yes, miss?”
“You can go,” I tell him.
“You still need to pay me.”
“Aw, oh. Yes, sure. Of course…” Why do I always make a fool of myself? I’m fumbling desperately in my purse to find my credit card when Richard pulls out a bill and passes it to the driver through the open window. The driver takes it and zooms away into the night.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
He smiles. “You’re welcome.”
What do I do now? My split-second bravado is already gone.
“So,” Richard says.
“So what?”
“You tell me.” He chuckles. “You’re the one who sent my taxi away.”
“I did. Well, I guess now I can’t leave you here alone in the street.”
“That would be truly cold-hearted.”
I take a deep breath. “Would you like to come in?”
“I’d love to.”
I smile. “Great.”
Move on, I say to myself, you need to move on. My new life begins tonight.
Fifteen
Our First Date
♥♥♥
Twelve years before—Chicago area
Gemma placed a black top dangling from its hanger against her chest and stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Black top…” She paused to switch hanger. “Or pink one?”
Amelia, head resting on her hands while she lay on Gemma’s be
d, scrunched her pretty face at her friend before providing an answer. “The black top makes you look more sophisticated.”
“I don’t care about sophistication. I want to know what top will get Jake to kiss me.”
“You think he’s going to kiss you tonight?”
“I thought he was going to kiss me the other night, but he didn’t. So what do I know?”
“But last week it wasn’t a real date. You just had a walk and sat on a blanket for a while.”
“And what’s more romantic than sitting by the river star gazing? I still don’t know why he didn’t kiss me. You think he likes me?”
“Of course he likes you. He wouldn’t have asked you on a real date otherwise.”
“You’re right, this is our official first date. I’m so nervous…”
“Why? I wish I were about to be kissed!” Amelia said, rolling on her back, her gaze lost on the ceiling, daydreaming.
“You would be if you’d agreed to go out with Teddy Parker.”
“I don’t like Teddy Parker. I want to date Brian.”
“But he’s dating Priscilla Walsh.”
“The hag! I hate her. But I’ve heard they might break up soon. I want my first kiss to be with Brian.”
“Okay, but let’s worry about my first kiss for now. Pink or black?”
“Mmm… pink. It makes you less intimidating, more approachable. Utterly kissable.”
Gemma put the black V-neck back in the wardrobe and pulled the pink crop top over her head. It left the hint of her belly button visible above the waistband of her high waist jeans.
“I’m pulling my hair up.” Gemma used a matching pink band to tie her hair. “Strawberry lipstick. Aaand… I’m ready to be kissed.” She turned toward Amelia, who jumped off the bed squealing and crushed her in a bone tight hug.
“You have to go now,” Gemma said. “Before Jake gets here.”
“I’m stealing my dad’s pager. Page me when you get back. I’ll sneak out and come back here so you can tell me everything.”
“I will.”
Gemma waited in her room for the bell to ring. She had to keep drying the sweat from her palms on her jeans. What if Jake wanted to hold hands? She couldn’t have sticky palms. She put an extra packet of tissues in her purse just in case. That’s when the doorbell rang. Gemma braced half her body against her room’s doorframe to listen to what was going on downstairs.
Her father’s voice drifted up the stairs as he asked Jake to join him on the porch for a quick chat. Oh gosh, her dad was giving Jake the you-are-dating-my-daughter-be-good speech. Gemma covered her face with her hands, hoping it’d be over soon. She waited five minutes before hopping down the stairs to join them on the porch. As expected, her dad was sporting his most intimidating scowl. Jake’s face was ashen, but his features were set on brave and determined. He looked so handsome in his football jacket.
“Hi.” Gemma’s eyes sparkled as they met with Jake’s. “Can we go, Dad?”
“I want her home by eleven, not a minute later,” Mr. Dawson said, still scowling at Jake.
“Yes, sir. We won’t be late.”
As they walked toward Mrs. Wilder’s car, Gemma could feel her father’s eyes still on them. Jake opened the passenger door for her, and she waited for him to get in the car with her before she spoke.
“Sorry about my dad. What did he say to you?”
“He—mmm, we’re cool.”
“Oh, okay. It’s great your mom let you borrow the car.”
“Yeah. By the way, if she asks, we went to see Harry Potter.”
“Okay—yeah, my dad wouldn’t be too happy about us watching Tarantino either. He doesn’t know I’ve seen the first Kill Bill. I still want to see Harry Potter, though. We could go another time.” At that instant, Gemma realized Jake hadn’t yet asked her on a second date. “I mean, not that we have to go together.”
“I’d love to go with you.” Jake placed a hand on her knee, sending Gemma’s nervous system into overdrive.
***
“For a moment there I thought she was going to forgive Bill,” Gemma said as they walked back to the movie theater’s parking lot.
“Nah. After all, the movie’s called Kill Bill.”
“You’re right.”
Jake opened the car door for her again and Gemma slipped in. They didn’t say much on the way home. Gemma’s palms kept getting sweatier and sweatier. The date had been perfect. Jake had bought her popcorn, and halfway through the movie, he’d wrapped one arm around her shoulders. But still no kiss.
Jake took a right turn, and Gemma wrinkled her nose. “We need to go left.”
“I’m not taking you home. Not yet.”
Gemma’s belly fluttered. “Oh.”
Jake pulled up in a parking lot overlooking Lake Michigan. The view was spectacular, and Gemma’s palms were the clammiest of the entire night. Jake killed the engine and turned to look at her. This was it. He was going to kiss her. Gemma watched Jake lean in closer to her with a pounding heart, unable to move, paralyzed with both fear and anticipation. Jake’s lips pressed onto hers and all her worries melted as a warm fuzz spread in her chest and belly. Jake’s kiss was tentative at first, soft and sweet. Until his hand wrapped around the nape of her neck, pulling her in closer, and suddenly they were kissing for real. Gemma felt her breath catch in her throat, her chest aching with how much she loved Jake. She pulled back to look at him.
He frowned. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it was perfect. Jake Wilder, I-I love you.”
Jake’s eyes widened before a smile spread on his lips. “I love you too, Gemma Dawson.”
Then they were kissing again, and Gemma found herself hoping eleven o’clock would never arrive.
♥♥♥
Saturday, August 5—London
“Didn’t I just kick you out of this house a week ago?” I ask Amelia.
“You did.”
“So what are you doing here?”
“I’m dressing you.”
I look in the bedroom mirror, perplexed. “Tell me again why I’m wearing this?”
Amelia rolls her eyes at me. “I’ve told you. I bought these on a whim, changed my mind, and asked for a refund. But they won’t take the clothes back at the store. So, I thought they’d fit you better.”
“They’re like a present for me?”
“More a hand-me-down. What do you think?”
She gave me a nice pair of high waist jeans and a silky blush top to wear. “A bit retro, but I like it.”
“Now pull your hair up.”
I obediently scrunch my hair up in a messy bun.
“No, no. Let me do it.” Amelia takes control of my head. Brushing, tugging, and finally tying my hair in a high ponytail. “Perfect. Now close your eyes.” She’s smiling too much; something’s going on here.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Why?”
“Trust me.”
I do as she says and let her pull me by the hands around the apartment. I’m familiar with the geometry of the place enough to orient myself. She’s pulling me out of the bedroom, along the hall, and across the living room to the front door. A brush of cool air hits me when she opens it to drag me outside.
“You can open your eyes now.”
I do. Jake’s waiting outside the house, propped up against a car wearing his old high school football jacket. He’s beaming at me and my mind swirls a little with the strongest sense of déjà vu.
I turn from Jake to Amelia. “What is this?”
She squeezes my shoulders. “I’m going to play with Lucky for a bit and I’ll let myself out. Have fun.” She winks and disappears back inside the house.
I hop down the few steps to the curb where Jake’s standing.
“So?”
“Gemma Dawson, will you go on a date with me?”
“A date?”
“Yes. I haven’t taken you on a real date since we go
t back together.”
He’s right. We went to a restaurant after I crashed his wedding, and we went to that horrible dinner at Amelia’s house before she found out Will was cheating on her. But those hardly qualify as dates. Then Amelia moved in with us, and we haven’t had much alone time since.
“Where did the car come from?”
“I rented it.”
“Are you sure you can drive on the left side?”
“We’re going to find out very soon.”
“And why the fuss from Amelia about these?” I flick my hands over the clothes she’s made me wear. “And why the football jacket?”
Jake smiles a wicked smile. “Because I’m taking you to watch Kill Bill.”
Kill Bill. Our first date. Our first kiss. Our first I love you. My heart wants to explode with the same aching love of that night so many years ago. I squeal and throw my hands around his neck to kiss him, but he pushes me back.
“Now, now. That will have to wait until the end of the night. We’re doing things properly here.”
“All right, Mr. Wilder. You’re the boss.”
I give him my hand and let him walk me to the other side of the car and open the passenger door for me. I slip inside and a stupidly happy smile spreads across my lips.
Six Months Later
Sixteen
Something Special
♦♦♦
Friday, March 2—London
Up for something special tonight?
It's Richard.
Special, uh?
Like what…?
It’s a surprise
I’ll pick you up at seven
I didn’t say yes
But now you have no choice
’Cause you’re too curious to say no
You know that’s going to make me die of curiosity
I know
I’m evil like that!
Yes, you are
See you tonight, x
Something special, uh? I wonder what it could be. After six months of dating, Richard and I are in a good place. We have an easy, uncomplicated relationship with no drama whatsoever. We’re in love and it’s great. I never thought I’d say, “I love you,” to anyone after Jake, but Richard made it so easy for me to fall for him.
Love Connection (A Feel Good Romantic Comedy) Page 11
