Curse of the Second Date
By J.A. Marlow
Exclusively Published By Star Catcher Publishing – Smashwords Edition
Starcatcherpub.com
Description
Abandon all hope with the second date…
Jack desperately wants the second date with the woman of his dreams to go as well as the first. Instead, an unbelievable cascade of disasters threaten to torpedo the blossoming romance. Attempting to turn the night around, he escorts Millie to her door… to find his next obstacle in the form of her waiting cat.
A humorous romance short story.
Copyright
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Dedication
To Mother Hen, who taught the entire family how to love.
Table of Contents
Curse of the Second Date
About the Author
Star Catcher Publishing
CURSE OF THE SECOND DATE
WHOEVER SAID FIRST dates were the hardest of any new relationship was a moron.
But then, so was Jack. Who really ran out of gas on the way to a restaurant except losers trying something on their poor dates? In this day and age? No one. Except him.
Slammed the car door on his date's fingers? No one. Except him.
Spilled wine down his new girlfriend's new blouse? No one. Except him.
A wonderful new girlfriend, until this horribly cursed second date. All hope now lost thanks to him. All his fault. No one else to blame. He figured he had until he drove up to her house before it all ended.
"How is the ice working?" Jack asked. Then cringed to himself. He shouldn't have reminded her.
Millie shifted the ice pack on her poor fingers. Such delicate lovely fingers, too. "They are much better now, thank you. You didn't get them really hard."
Jack didn't know if she said that to make him feel better. Whatever. Tonight he would take what he could get.
"The dinner tasted great." Even though the restaurant ran out of the first three dishes they tried to order.
"Oh yes. Very good," Millie said.
Jack turned the car down her street, his throat tight. He didn't know what else to say. What other conversation to attempt. Not much good to talk about tonight.
Jack's hands gripped the steering wheel so tight the skin stretched white over the knuckles. Why? Their first date went so well. Why couldn't this one? After two dates they would have had a good chance of riding out one bad day.
But right now? Only after the second? Millie was history, and he really didn't want her to be. They had so much in common.
"The weather is supposed to improve by the weekend. Have you thought of hiking the new trail up at the park?" Jack asked.
"Hmm. Thought about it."
Oh no. Minimal answers. Not interested in talking.
Yep, Millie was history.
His time also ran out. He slowed for her driveway, and reluctantly pulled in. Why couldn't he have a few more miles to come up with something else to talk about? FInd a way to soothe over such a bad date? To kick his brain into gear to think of something!
The moment the car stopped, he was out the door. Even though she was already opening her door, he opened it the rest of the way and extended a hand to help her out. Instead, she handed him the icepack, taking it back only once she was out.
"Thank you for the lovely evening," Millie started to say.
Jack's heart sank. The standard line at the end of a date. No, he wasn't ready.
She fished the key out of her bag and promptly dropped it. He barely avoided hitting her head as he bent to pick it up. With the key in hand he guided her hand to better hold the ice pack. "Please. Allow me. It's the least I can do."
"Oh, that's really not necessary," Millie said as she followed him up the walk.
"Yes, it is. You are the type of woman who inspires me to do the little things. Like what I saw my grandfather do for my grandmother. A real lady." The short little speech sounded so corny, and yet he meant every word.
"Your grandparents sound lovely," Millie said.
And he'd never talked to her about them. Why not? But then, this was only their second date.
"They are. You would love them. In their eighties and still flirting with each other." How he would love to have a relationship like theirs. To know the love of his life shared his. Every day a delight with that special person by your side. Up until Millie, he hadn't thought he'd ever have a chance at it.
The key slipped easily into the lock. With a click, the doorknob rotated freely.
"Oh, be careful of the cat. He keeps trying to get out, even though he's too old to be running around outside," Millie said.
With that warning, Jack only cracked open the door. Sure enough, yellow slit-eyes peeked through, staring up at him.
"Was he once an outdoor cat?" Jack asked, finding something about the staring eyes unusual. But then, weren't most cats unusual? All the ones he'd had growing up seemed to all come from a different end of the 'weird' and 'strange' spectrum.
"No, he's always been an indoor cat. He just thinks he's an outdoor cat," Millie said with a laugh.
Jack smiled. "Ah. Now that I understand."
"You have cats?"
"Not right now. Apartment won't allow it, but I grew up with one in the house all the time."
*Let me out, dimwit.*
Jack stared down at the cat, not believing his ears. So much so, that he almost missed Millie saying with more interest in her voice than he'd heard in a while, "I didn't know that. A cat person?"
Jack cleared his throat. "Yep, a cat person."
He kept his feet together as he shuffled into the house. The cat backed up, and then dodged to the right. Jack was ready for him and moved in the same direction.
*Out of my way.*
The surprise of the clear words almost made him freeze. Almost. But, not enough to lose this opportunity to use this small new-found thing in common to keep this relationship going. He dodged every direction as the cat.
He heard Millie come in, felt her lovely body slide by his back so she could close the door.
With the door safely closed the cat sat down, staring at him. No, glaring at him with an intensity that should set him ablaze and render him to ashes.
"Welcome to my home," Millie said as she set her purse on a small antique table in the foyer. She resettled the icepack on her fingers and nodded forward. "Come in and sit down."
His hopes rose at the simple words. She was still being hospitable, friendly, and had invited him to sit down. This was a good step!
Jake didn't hesitate a moment. Soon he was in a small and cozy living room with a river-stone fireplace as a focal point. The room wasn't big enough for a couch, but just right for the recliner and loveseat. The inside reflected the small charm he'd noticed from the outside of the house. Something Millie reflected, as well.
"I'll get us some water. Need a new ice pack anyway," Millie said. She gestured to the room with her uninjured hand. "Make yourself comfortable."
The stupid car door. Never again would he close it without ensuring no appendages were in the way. "Thank you. And again, I am so sorry."
"Accidents happen," Millie called out behind her as she headed into the kitchen-dining room through a wide arch. "What types of cats did you have?"
"The first I remember was our siamese, Bernie. He couldn't stand being on the lowest level of any roo
m. He climbed everything," Jake said. He paused as the orange and black cat slinked into the room, rubbing against the back of the recliner.
*Stupid creature. Too much work.*
Jake swallowed hard. The cursed second date was continuing with him losing his mind.
"What about your second?" Millie asked. He heard the sound of a freezer door. Then the clink of glasses.
In his minds-eye, he could picture her getting the glasses out of the cupboard, dropping in a few cubes of ice, and then pouring water into them. Each of the movements performed with her natural grace. The way her hands moved and wrists angled as she worked fascinated him. So natural, so unconscious. So a part of her. It made him wish he was in the dining room so he could watch.
*She asked you a question, dimwit.*
The cat now sat in the middle of the recliner, as if a king on his throne. Head high, back straight. The end of the tail leisurely moved back and forth.
"Our second was a bit of a mix of everything, but it had a nice calico pattern of orange, browns, and whites," Jake said. He forced himself to look away from the unblinking stare of the cat. Instead, he focused on the pictures on the mantle. Photographs full of family portraits, as well as children he assumed must belong to the brother she spoke so warmly about.
"And what quirk did your calico have?"
*Boring, Romeo. You expect her to be impressed with this conversation?* The sound of a cat yawn did not move his attention to the cat. Jake refused.
"Heather preferred people food to cat food, and yet she was the best hunter we ever had. She used to leave us gifts on our pillows. She always looked so pleased."
"Ick." Millie made a face as she came back in with a glass of water that she set on the coffee table next to him.
"Yes, it was a big ick," Jake hurriedly agreed. Millie shooed the cat out of the chair. With a graceful leap, the cat jumped to the floor. "But, for some reason, she thought we needed them."
He was a bit disappointed she sat in the recliner instead of on the loveseat with him.
*Loser. You are so out of here.*
Oh great. Now the cat was at her feet, staring up at him with as much disdain as a cat could muster. And a cat could muster a lot.
"Anyway, yes, had cats around all the time we were growing up," Jake said forcing himself back to the true subject. And the attempt to find a way towards a third date. "My brother and sister each have one. What about you?"
"I've had both dogs and cats in my life." She reached down to scratch the cat between the ears. Her attention did nothing to diminish the glare. "But, this guy and I decided there was only room enough in the house for one of him."
He bet. The cat had the feline superiority thing down exact. Even now, sitting at her feet, its posture told him loud and clear that this cat owned this place and this human.
"And what is your guy's name?" Jake said sweetly towards the cat.
"Reginald. He chose it himself. I read through lists of names and he meowed on the one he liked."
"Huh. Even named himself. Sounds like a cat."
Millie smiled at him. A true genuine smile unlike what she'd worn for the past hour. But then, it was hard to smile when her hand hurt so much that she'd had to eat with her other hand. "Very true. Very much like a cat. I like that you like to have animals around. I find it very telling."
Oh, how he loved the way she looked at him now. With real and true interest. Listening to what he said. Not avoiding his gaze. Wanted it to go on forever.
"I would have one now if I could," Jake said into the silence.
*Liar. Don't think you can deceive me.*
Jake started sweating a little. He couldn't be hearing these little comments. No way were they coming from the regal Reginald.
"Millie, I know pretty much everything was a disaster tonight," Jake started. He scooted to the end of the loveseat, leaning towards her. "But, I don't want it to end here and now. If you are willing, allow me to try and get it right the third time."
"Meeeoooooowwwrrrr!"
Millie rolled her eyes at Reginald's loud protesting cry. "Sorry. He likes to have a small snack at night. I'll be right back."
Jake pointed to her hand. "You may also want to get the ice pack. I think you left it in the kitchen."
"Oh, right! I swear, you'll have to remind me of everything when I get older. I forget all sorts of things now!"
Jake knew she'd said it light-hearted and probably didn't meant it literally, but he couldn't stop his heart jumping at the prospect. Of something long-term with a woman the likes of Millie? Who could program a computer like no one's business, but had a cozy little home such as this complete with a knitting basket next to her recliner? From the looks of it, there was even a half-knitted sweater in the top of it. Loved hiking?
So many aspects to the woman. So many more waiting for him to discover. He wanted to stick around and learn each and every one.
*She's mine. Don't get any ideas.*
No. No way was he hallucinating this. The sound was coming from the cat.
Jake leaned over and whispered harshly, "You do not own her. She is not your pet or your slave."
*She's mine, dimwit. Get used to it. You leave tonight. Out on your can.*
"For someone who tries to act so royal, your language certainly doesn't reflect it," Jake whispered back.
Oh, that insulted him. The back arched, and the golden cat-eyes narrowed. Oh, if this creature could, it would pounce him.
*You do not know what she needs. I do.*
"She wants someone who loves her as she is. Who appreciates her traits. I do. Rather selfish of you to decide for her what she needs."
"Jake, who are you talking to?"
Jake jerked up straight. Damn. The cat was now laughing.
"Uh, to Reginald, of course. He's rather possessive. But then, a lot of cats are over their owners." Jake smiled at her. "Look, Reginald. Millie put out food for you. You should go eat your snack."
*And leave you here alone, Romeo? Not a chance. Just try and get past me. There will be no loveseat activities tonight!*
Oh my. Did Millie just blush? Such a lovely color on her lovely skin.
Just watch him get past the cat. "About that third date. Maybe this Friday or Saturday night? There is a fun play at the local theater."
She smiled. "I love the theater, and hate going alone."
And there was his way in. He jumped on it. "Then choose the day and we'll go. I'll get the tickets. I know the producer."
*Cough cough. I feel an illness coming on.*
"You know the producer? You really are into the theater?" Millie's eyes sparkled as she settled on the other end of the loveseat. Close enough he could reach out and touch her knee if he dared.
He didn't dare right now. "Of course. Why would I say such a thing unless true?"
"Oh, I know." Millie waved a hand. "But, people say a lot of things on the first few dates they say only to impress the other. At least, that's what happens to me a lot."
*Men are scum. Human men. Not me.*
He shook his head, trying to ignore the other running commentary. "If I didn't mean it, I wouldn't have said it. A relationship is too important to play such games with."
Millie jumped to the edge of her seat, her face bright. "Me too! It's no basis to start anything, not even a friendship."
*Go ahead. Tell her you just want to be her friend. I dare you.*
Oh, he had something better to say than that. "Millie, you and I have worked at the same company for years. We have the friend-thing down. I don't think that's what either of us is interested in, in the long-term."
That got a growl out of Reginald. Good. Let him growl.
Millie leaned forward, only to wince. Jack took her poor bruised hand into his, ever so lightly tracing the lines of blue forming along the top. "I am so sorry I hurt you. I would rather hurt myself first. Forget the ice pack?"
Millie watched his finger run over the tops of her own, as if mesmerized. "Right. Ice pa
ck. Forgot it."
Jack reluctantly let her hand go. "The ice will help with the bruising."
*You hurt her? You bastard.*
She started. "Oh, right. I left it on the counter."
She jumped up and headed into the kitchen. Jake leaned down the other way towards a glaring Reginald. "It was an accident, you fur-ball. I would never harm her purposely."
Reginald's ears lay back against his head and bared his sharp teeth. *You harmed my Millie. Prepare to die.*
"Like you've never accidentally hooked her with your claws? She showed me the cut on her hand from a few weeks ago!" Jake whispered at him, his voice growing harsh.
*That was an accident, dimwit. She startled me!*
"Exactly. An accident. Just like with you. So, get off your high-horse with me."
"Jack, are you talking to Reginald?"
Jack jerked straight. This time he knew it was him who blushed. He could feel the heat not only in his face, but in his ears and down his neck.
"Uh, well…"
"Reginald, were you talking to him?" Millie demanded of the cat, her own eyes narrowed.
Reginald glared at Jack. *Another human has to hear me, and it's you? Bastard.*
Jack stood, no longer able to simply sit down. He paced to the mantle with the pictures, trying to concentrate on the faces and images there. This could not be happening. Not right now when he was so close to getting Millie to agree to a third date.
"Jack?" Millie asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
He sighed and turned around. Okay, fine. Best to come right out with it. Be truthful.
"Millie, please don't think I'm crazy, but I swear your cat is talking to me. Insulting me mostly, actually." He paused, trying to judge what she was thinking by the expressions on her face. Hard to, but then she'd always been that way. One of the reasons he hadn't known for so long that she was interested in going out on a date with him until a mutual friend played matchmaker.
He shrugged, but he couldn't quite make himself laugh about it. "I know it sounds crazy. It does to even me, but I swear it's happening."
Curse of the Second Date Page 1
