Jeremy sighs and says, “I am worried that I am not going to make the reservation on time.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because my date hasn’t even gotten into the bathroom yet.”
Tilting my head, I go, “Huh?”
Giving me that great smile, Jeremy elaborates, “I am WAITNG for my date to get ready, but right now, she is giving me a really dumbfounded look, which isn’t helping.”
“Me?” I gasp.
“Yes,” Jeremy laughs. “Go, get ready.”
Bewildered, I ask, “Why are you taking me? I mean, don’t you want to actually take a date to the nice restaurant?”
“You are my date for the evening. Now, go get ready,” he says, as he grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. “I will pick out a dress; go do whatever girly things you need to do.”
With a slight stutter, I whisper, “Umm, okay.” Jeremy goes to my closet and I go to the bathroom. I don’t have to do much. I restraighten my unruly hair and I put on a little bit of make-up. When I walk back into my room, Jeremy is holding a dress……and a bra. “Jeremy!” I yell.
“Oh, no, if I am taking you out on a date, you are wearing this. It will make you blush all night long.”
Walking over, I snag it from him. “You are such an ass.”
“An ass that you love,” he quips back.
“Well then, there is matching underwear, if that trips your trigger.”
That sends Jeremy roaring. “That is awesome! Oh my gosh, you rock. Now, get dressed.” He leaves the room, and I slam the door behind him. Even with his comments, I smile. I do put on the bra and underwear. Why, I don’t know.
When I walk into the living room, Jeremy smiles. “You look very pretty young lady.”
“I still don’t know why you are taking me and not a real date. I mean……don’t you want a real girl?”
Jeremy stops and gives me a look. “I have seen you with barely any clothes on. I do not remember you looking like a guy.”
“That is not what I meant,” I laugh, walking over to him. I fix his shirt a little bit. “I have never even gone to a nice restaurant, like ever. I will probably just embarrass you.”
“Isabelle, you are not going to embarrass me, stop being so silly. We are going to enjoy a nice meal and good conversation, as a date should be,” Jeremy retorts.
My cheeks blush. “Stop calling it a date. You are taking me out for dinner. That’s it. Saying it’s a date is making it sound like there is something going on.”
“Nonsense,” he murmurs. “I am taking you on a date, even if it a practice run. Do you not want to be associated with being my date? Is this a bad thing?”
“Gosh no,” I gasp. “Please, really? Going on a date with you, uh okay, twist my arm.”
Jeremy’s eyebrows go up. “Wow, I didn’t know I was that hot of a commodity. Aren’t I special?”
“You are a hot guy, who has a great sense of humor and a stellar personality. What girl WOULDN’T want to go out with you?”
“Well, the one standing in front of me is sure putting up a hell of a fight. I didn’t say I was going to feel you up under the table. I just want to take you on a date,” Jeremy states with a smile.
Now, my cheeks are on fire. “I would stab your hand with a steak knife.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” Jeremy whispers, stepping closer to me. “You know you would love the touch of my hand on your skin.”
Fiddling with his button, I reply, “You know what I would really love the touch of?”
“What’s that?”
I flick him on the forehead. “I would love the feeling of my knee between your legs! Feel me up? I will break your hand!”
Bursting out laughing, Jeremy kisses me on the forehead. “That is what I want your reaction to be to other boys.”
“Yeah, well, it will be a long time before a guy tries to feel me up. I don’t see Eric being that type,” I articulate smugly.
“I would break him in two if he did,” Jeremy says, going to get my jacket.
With a raised eyebrow, I spin around and look at him. “Someday, I am going to want a guy to touch me. You have to realize that. What if it was Eric?”
Jeremy grips my coat and holds it open. “Well then, I am not your keeper. I can’t expect you to stay a virgin forever. If it were my choice you would be.”
That makes me giggle. “I don’t plan on having sex with anyone ANYTIME soon. I think I want to wait. I mean really wait, until I find the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I know boys think that is dumb, and maybe it makes me uncool, but I really feel like I only want to be with one person.”
“Remember when you said you would never talk about sex with me,” Jeremy chuckles.
Sliding my arms in my jacket, I reply, “We aren’t actually talking about IT, like in detail.”
“Someone probably should with you,” Jeremy sighs. “I don’t think you had the best examples from your mother.”
“Jeremy, what is there to talk about? I know what happens. It’s covered in health class. Did someone have that talk with you?” I inquire hotly.
He snorts. “Okay, no, so good point. I just want you prepared.”
I hang my head. “Jeremy, I don’t plan on having sex anytime soon. I am NOT a hot commodity, so it’s not like we have to worry about that anyway.”
His arms wrap around me and he whispers, “You are beautiful and the guy you save yourself for is going to be really lucky. Saving yourself does not make you uncool and boys won’t look at you like you are dumb. They will have respect for you.”
“That’s good to hear,” I exhale. “Maybe, when that day comes I will talk to you, but I swear if you make it dirty and try to give me pointers, I will hurt you.”
Jeremy doubles over. “I would never. Isabelle, oh my gosh, who do you take me for?”
“A guy,” I reply, trying not to smirk. “Let’s go before we are late.”
We drive to the restaurant just laughing. Jeremy does his hardest to embarrass me. I just choose to ignore him. That makes him try even harder. When we get to the restaurant, there is an actual valet service. That makes me nervous. A guy, not much older than me, comes and opens my door. I awkwardly get out. Turning, I stand there waiting for Jeremy.
A gust of wind passes by and makes me shiver. I pull my coat tighter around me. Jeremy walks up, “Are you cold hon?”
“Yeah, this isn’t the best winter jacket,” I reply. A woman passes us in a wool pea coat. “Now, that is nice jacket to have. Too bad they are super expensive.”
“Ready for a great night,” Jeremy says, opening the door for me. I smile as I walk past him. “Yes.”
He takes my hand and we walk to the hostess stand. You can tell there is an air of sophistication here. The hostess looks at us, and asks, “Your name please.”
“Stoll,” Jeremy replies. “Reservation for two.”
She nods her head and says, “Right this way.”
When we get to the table, Jeremy pulls out my chair for me. “Thank you,” I whisper. “Always so gentlemanly.”
“I was taught strict manners. You open a door for a lady. You pull out her chair. You treat her with respect. There are many more things I was taught. Table manners were a big one.”
“Well, I was never taught those, so sorry if I embarrass you. Just kick me under the table when I do something stupid.”
Bending over my shoulder, Jeremy says, “I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. We are here to have a good time.”
“That doesn’t make me any less nervous,” I whisper back.
Jeremy pulls out his chair and sits down. A waiter dressed in a tux comes over. “Good evening,” he says, “May I get you something to drink to start off your meal?” Jeremy nods to me.
“Oh, I will have whatever white soda that you have,” I reply.
“And for you sir?” The waiter asks.
Grabbing a little menu, Jeremy replies, “I will have a glass of Riesling please.”
“Very well, I will be right back.”
I pick up the very fancy heavy menu. Opening it up, my eyes drift to the choices. It doesn’t register right away and then I gasp. Bending over to him, I hiss, “Jeremy! You could feed a starving child for a month on just one meal!”
He chuckles. “Will you relax? I want you to enjoy this.”
“I will have a side salad,” I state, looking at him in disbelief.
Jeremy sets down his menu. “I will order you something if you do that, and I make no promise on what that will be.”
“Fine,” I mumble, picking my menu up. “Most of this stuff I haven’t even tried before. I mean, I haven’t even really had steak. So, what do I pick?”
“Well, to not scare you completely, I would suggest going with a steak, or you could go with escargot,” Jeremy notes.
Frowning, I ask, “What is escargot?”
“Snails,” Jeremy replies, not even looking at me. My jaw drops and I get a horrified look on my face. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye, and grins. “I would go with steak, or you could do lobster.”
“I have never had seafood. I am not sure if I would like it, and I don’t want to order something I won’t eat.”
With a nod, Jeremy says, “Well, I am getting steak and lobster, so I will insist that you try it.”
“Okay,” I sigh. “How about you order my food for me? I trust you.”
A devilish smirk passes over his face. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes,” I state.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my knee. I glare at him and reach under the table. I squeeze his hand as hard as possible. That seems to just make him laugh. “Oh, you are so much fun,” he chuckles. His fingers tickle my knee and then he brings his hand back up.
“Can you not behave yourself?” I inquire, trying to not smile.
“Never,” Jeremy responds.
The waiter appears next to us, and starts to set our drinks down. When he is done, he looks at us. “Have you decided on your entrees this evening?”
“Yes,” Jeremy replies. “She is going to have the filet mignon, medium well please.”
Looking at me, the waiter asks, “Soup or salad?”
“Salad,” I answer. “With Italian dressing, please.”
He nods and looks at Jeremy, “And for you sir?”
“I will have the steak and lobster, please. I would like my steak medium, please, and ranch for my dressing,” Jeremy replies.
“Very well,” the waiter says, taking our menus. “I will put your order in right away.”
“Thank you,” Jeremy retorts.
When the waiter walks away, I say, “Thanks for ordering for me.”
“No problem. You will enjoy this, I know it,” Jeremy declares.
We smile at each other and then are quiet. My eyes drift across the restaurant. “I didn’t even know they had restaurants where people danced anymore.”
“Would you like to go dance?” Jeremy inquires.
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. “No!” I gasp. “I have never danced with a guy in my entire life. The last thing I am going to do is dance in front of people!”
“Oh come, I am not going to waltz with you, just simple dancing.”
I vigorously shake my head. “No, I would be too embarrassed.”
“Alright,” Jeremy laughs lightly.
“Do you know how to waltz?” I ask.
He smiles and nods. “Yes I do.”
“That would be fun to learn,” I say. “I would probably trip over my own feet.”
“I think you could do it just fine. Have you ever danced at all?”
Trying not to giggle, I reply, “Only in my room, by myself.”
“Well then, I will have to take you dancing,” Jeremy notes.
I put my napkin on my lap. “Kent said he wants to take me to the club.”
“Yeah, we had talked about that. Once you are alright with going out, we will do that.”
Fiddling with the scarf on my neck, I say, “When this heals. I think it will be fun.”
“It will be,” Jeremy declares. He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I promise to show you as many things as I can. You need to be shown the things that you have missed.”
“Is that why we are here?” I ask.
He nods and then grins. “Yes and no. Yes, I wanted you to experience this, and no, I really wanted steak and lobster, but either way, you are the only one I wanted to bring.”
“That’s sweet,” I murmur, looking down at the table. He just rubs his thumb on my hand. After that, we just talk about normal stuff. I tell him how I think I just opened Pandora’s box with Sonya, but he says how proud he is that I am starting to stand up to her.
Dinner is so awesome. I have never had food this good before. Jeremy has me try his lobster. “Oh my gosh,” I moan. “That is really good.”
“Here,” he replies. “Take some.” He cuts me off a portion and puts it on my plate.
“Thank you,” I whisper. He is so nice to me. I still don’t understand why.
We finish dinner and the waiter brings the bill. Jeremy sticks his credit card in the folder. The waiter comes back and takes it. “Did you enjoy yourself?” Jeremy asks.
“Oh yes, thank you so much. Dare I ask how much the bill was?”
Shaking his head, Jeremy answers, “That is not anything you need to worry about. I am just happy that you had a good time. We should get you home though. I don’t want you being too tired for school in the morning.”
“Yeah, that is probably a good idea,” I reply.
Shortly after that we leave. The drive home is quiet but nice. When we get out of the car, it’s even colder than when we left. I quickly run up to the apartment steps. I hate being cold. Jeremy comes sauntering up behind me. “Chilled?”
“Just a little,” I stutter.
“Then let’s get you inside.” He opens the door and we walk in. It is nice and warm. I sigh happily.
Taking off my jacket, I say, “I am going to get ready for bed.”
“Sounds good,” Jeremy replies.
I dart into my room. I desperately want to put on a pair of warm pajamas. Quickly, I do and sigh, “Much better.” A little while later, I walk back out into the hallway, I hear music, classical music to be exact. I go into the living room, to find Jeremy standing there. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“We have a little bit before you have to go to sleep, so I am going to give you an experience.”
“Umm, okay,” I reply. “What is that?”
He extends his hand and says, “Come here.” Cautiously, I walk over to him. Jeremy grabs a hold of me and pulls me against him. “You are going to dance.”
“In my pajamas?” I laugh.
“Yes, you are very alluring in your flannel jammies,” Jeremy teases. I can’t help but blush. I really need to learn to stop doing that. “We are going to keep it simple. Just follow my lead.”
I look up at him. “No waltzing, right?”
“No, not this evening. We are going to keep it simple.” Jeremy starts to move and I go with him. Bashfully, I look away. We are up against each other, and even though we are touching each other all the time, for some reason this feels different.
We dance around for quite some time. Jeremy touches me very softly. We drift even closer to each other. I don’t do it on purpose, but pretty soon, we are pressed up against each other. Jeremy takes my arms and puts them around his neck. This feels a lot more intimate than I thought it was going to. He presses his face into my hair and kisses me gently.
My heart is beating fast and hard. I close my eyes and place my face into him. I breathe in his scent. It sends shivers down my spine. Suddenly, it’s a little overwhelming. I pull back from him. “What’s wrong?” He whispers.
“Nothing,” I murmur. “I should probably go to bed.”
Jeremy stops and looks down at me. “Mmm, are you alright?”
“Yeah,” I reply, stepping com
pletely away from him. “I just don’t want to be tired in the morning.”
His eyes stare at me tenderly. Putting his hand on the side of my face, Jeremy bends over and kisses me softly. “Thank you for being a great date this evening.”
With my breath caught in my throat, I quietly say, “Thank you for everything.”
“Sweet dreams Isabelle,” Jeremy retorts, pulling his hand away.
“Night,” I reply. Turning I walk back to my room. When I shut my door, I lean my back against it. Oddly, I feel a little different. I pause and just stare ahead of myself. This feeling in my chest, I don’t know what it is. Finally, I shake my head and go to bed.
Chapter 18
The next couple of weeks go bye quickly. Jeremy, Kent, Cassandra or Josh picks me up from school every day. I think it’s a little silly, but Jeremy insists. He does live too far to walk, but I tell him there is a thing called a bus. I don’t even get a response from him. We go through our daily routines without getting in each other’s way. Living with him isn’t as weird as I thought it would be. It’s actually nice to have someone around who is of sound mind.
Then one day I wake up. It’s Friday, so I am excited to have the weekend off. I get out of bed and go to get a cup of coffee. I walk into the kitchen to find Jeremy leaning against the counter. I say, “Good morning!” Cheerfully.
He doesn’t even look at me, and hums, “Mmhmm.”
“Is there something wrong?” I ask.
“Nope,” he articulates sharply.
I kind of stand there, staring at him. Slowly I go over and get a cup of coffee. He doesn’t move. He just continues to stare at the ground. It is really awkward. I stir in my sugar and look at him. “Are you sure there is nothing wrong?”
“No Isabelle, I am fine,” he states matter-of-factly.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask hesitantly.
Jeremy’s eyes look up at me. “No, you did nothing wrong. I am going to get ready for work.” With that he walks away.
My heart falls down in my chest. What did I do? Why is he so angry? I have never seen him angry. The rest of the morning is very tense. The air is thick between us. I don’t say anything. I just keep quiet. The car ride is even worse. He doesn’t say a word to me.
The Art of Life Page 31
