Blind Date Bet

by Nicole Flockton

  He chuckled.

  “Anyway, she pointed out that I’d picked subjects that would help me get a teaching degree. My grades were good, too, so it was clear that I enjoyed what I was studying.”

  “Sounds like your subconscious mind knew exactly what you wanted to do but hadn’t let you in on the secret yet.”

  Isabella laughed. “Certainly seemed that way.” She took a deep breath and asked the question she wasn’t quite sure she truly wanted the answer to. “How about you—did you always want to be in the military? Or was it like me, something you fell into?”

  Ethan sat back, breaking their physical touch, as the waitress arrived with their appetizers. “No, I didn’t fall into it. My whole family is military. My mom was in the army but doesn’t talk about it much. When I was eight, Dad told me the story of how she’d stayed with a family until they were rescued after being trapped in a partially collapsed building. How she put her own life on the line with bullets ricocheting off the building around her, but she wasn’t going to leave that family. Hearing the story confirmed what I already knew—I’d follow the family tradition and enlist after graduation. I chose air force instead of army.”

  The corn chip she’d just taken a bite of lodged in her throat, and she picked up her drink, sucking as much liquid as she could. Of course, she’d go on a date with a guy whose whole family lived and breathed everything military—after all, her father set her up on the blind date initially. He only knew people who lived and breathed army life. Or, in Ethan’s case, air force. “By your whole family, do you mean everyone or just your mom and dad?”

  Ethan chuckled, the sound light, and it sent shivers trickling down her spine. “Yeah, everyone, including my granddad and grandma. I think a couple of aunts didn’t go into the military, but their kids have.”

  She should definitely run in the other direction after this dinner date was over. It was bad enough with only her father. No way could she take on a whole family.

  Problem was, she was beginning to like Ethan. Despite the awkward start to their date tonight, she was enjoying herself, the conversation they were sharing, the light touches of his hand against hers.

  “What happened when you were born? Your mom wouldn’t have been able to deploy or anything.”

  “When the time came around for Mom to reenlist a few years after she and Dad got married, they discussed it and Mom decided not to.”

  “Did she resent that? I mean, after the story you told me, and if she loved being in the military, wouldn’t she have felt annoyed that she had to give up her career to have kids?”

  Ethan scooped up a dollop of guac and popped it in his mouth. The action shouldn’t have been attractive, but it was. After he swallowed, he picked up their conversation. “No, Mom was ready for a change.” He paused and swallowed some beer. “Her reenlistment date came up just after the incident I told you about. After discussing things, they decided they wanted to try for a family. It wasn’t hard for her to decide to step away from the army. Although I can’t remember how many direct party companies she worked for as I was growing up, she did Mary Kay, Tupperware, and some that are no longer in business.”

  At least there was one Masters who wasn’t entrenched in the military world. Wait, that wasn’t true. Her son was active, and in all likelihood, her husband could still be involved as well.

  Isabella reached for her drink and found it empty. Geez, she really needed a shot of rum now to dull the thoughts running around her mind like a hamster on a wheel.

  Ethan was standing before she could put her glass down again. “What? Is something wrong?” she asked. Had Ethan seen something dangerous? She swiveled to check out the restaurant, but to her eye it looked like everyone was caught up in their own worlds.

  “No, everything’s fine. I’m just going to get you a drink. It will be quicker if I go to the bar and get it for you instead of waiting for the waitress.” He paused and looked down at her. “You look like you need it now rather than later.”

  Ugh, every time she thought she had some control over the situation, that she could walk away from Ethan, he went and did something like this. Something so sweet and out of the blue.

  “Thanks, but instead of a mojito, I’ll just have a Coke. I have to drive.”

  “One Coke coming right up.” He looked at her and then the door. “You’ll still be here when I get back, right?”

  “Um, yeah, unless you don’t want me to be.”

  He rubbed a hand down his face. Well, seeing as how she’d grabbed for her drink when he’d talked about his family, his was a natural reaction.

  Reaching out, she touched the hand holding her glass. “Yes, Ethan. I’ll still be here. Maybe when you get back we can look at the menu and order some more food.”

  His smile widened, and she couldn’t deny the sight left her a little breathless.

  Oh dear, she could be getting herself into trouble. But maybe it would be a good trouble. Perhaps she needed to leave her fears behind and live in the moment.

  Chapter Five

  Ethan refrained from grabbing Isabella’s hand as they stepped out of the restaurant. After his embarrassing, teenage will you still be here? outburst, the rest of the evening had gone well. So well he hadn’t wanted it to end, but when their waitress came past their table for a fifth time and finally gave him the can you please leave so I can get more tips? look, he’d taken the hint.

  The air was still warm, but not oppressively so, and there was a slight breeze. The sidewalks were full of people enjoying their Friday night get-togethers.

  “Do you want to take a cruise around the Riverwalk?” he asked.

  “Sure, sounds fun. It’s a nice night for it.”

  When a group of laughing teenagers jostled her, he stopped fighting his instincts and took hold of her hand. Her step faltered for a moment, but then she continued on. In fact, she moved a little closer to him.

  By the time they reached the area to board the boat, Isabella had relaxed and had wrapped her other arm around his, her exotic perfume surrounding him. He had to mentally go through the commands he gave Sam during a training session to stop his body from reacting to her touch.

  “Have you ever done this cruise before?” he asked as other people climbed onboard and settled around them.

  “Nope, this is my first time.”

  “Really? How long have you lived in San Antonio?”

  “A couple of years. I mean, I’ve thought about doing it but just never got around to it. It always seemed so crowded when I walked past the ticketing areas.”

  “Please tell me you’ve at least gone to the Alamo.”

  The sound of her laugh traveled down his spine and through his bloodstream. “Of course, I have. I’m a teacher. The Alamo is always on the excursion list. Particularly for fifth graders.”

  The boat pulled away from the dock and puttered down the river. The guide was giving his general welcome talk. Ethan had heard it a couple of times, so he didn’t need to listen to it again. Besides, he wanted to keep talking to Isabella. He leaned close so the folks around him wouldn’t hear. “What was your first impression?”

  “Shh, I’m trying to listen.” She turned her head and, because he was so close, their noses brushed together gently. This close, he could make out the blues in her eyes. The long length of her eyelashes. Her lips were so close to his, all it would take was for him to move half an inch. He’d be able to fulfill his wish since he’d first seen her—to see how she tasted.

  “Izzy,” he whispered. Her eyes widened a fraction, and her breath hitched audibly. Instead of kissing her, he tapped her nose lightly. “Sorry. I’ll let you listen.”

  Ethan straightened and put a little distance between them, although their legs still touched from thigh to knee. Once the guide finished his introduction, Ethan returned to the conversation they were having. “So, back to the Alamo. What did you think when you first saw it?”

  A soft smile played across her lips and a faraway look entered h
er eyes. “I’ve read the history books and seen the movie, but to actually walk inside… it filled me with a sense of reality. People died in those small rooms while others huddled for their lives. It wasn’t just a movie. It wasn’t something that you read about in a book. A group of men and women sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom. The bullet holes on the outside of the building are a testament to that fact.”

  “It’s hard to imagine the barren lands that surrounded the building when you look at how the city of San Antonio has sprung up around it. Visiting it never gets old.”

  “You’re so right. As I said, I’ve been there a few times now on school excursions. The younger kids just see a building, but they really don’t take in the enormity of what happened there. Plus, they’re too young to show them the Alamo movie. Don’t think their parents would appreciate it too much.”

  Ethan laughed. “Yeah, probably wouldn’t go down well.”

  Their voices trailed off as the guide pointed out other points of interest, like Casa Rio, the first restaurant to open up on the Riverwalk. How the Riverwalk was conceived as a way to minimize future flood damage after a major flood in the 1920s. After an hour, they returned to the dock, and both waited until the other passengers had disembarked before they moved from their seats.

  Ethan wanted to prolong having Isabella by his side, holding her close. For him, the date had been successful and an experience he’d like to do again. He hoped Isabella felt the same way. But assuming could lead him into a wealth of problems. He didn’t know if she even wanted another date with him. He’d be disappointed if she didn’t, but if that was the case then so be it.

  Once they were back on the Riverwalk, he opened his mouth a couple of times, but he didn’t quite know what to say.

  “Do you want to walk to the Alamo? I’m parked near there,” Isabella said.

  Was there a hint of hope in her voice? Could he assume, just a little, she’d enjoyed herself, too, and didn’t want the night to end? “Sure, I was going to ask where you were parked.”

  Ethan put his arm around her shoulder and held her close as they walked through the crowd toward the Alamo. Neither spoke. Once they reached the building, they stopped and looked at the lit-up limestone structure. Even at night, a crowd of people studied the plaques dotted around the perimeter of the path leading to the building.

  “Do you ever wonder what was going through their minds during the battle?” Isabella asked.

  Her question was innocent, but it struck close to home. Every time he was deployed, he couldn’t stop the what ifs. What if this time he didn’t make it back? What if he got injured? What if something happened to Sam? They were a partnership and it was up to them to ensure the safety of the guys at his back.

  “I—” His voice broke on the single syllable. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Their hearts would’ve been beating out of their chests, and their palms would’ve been wet with sweat. Some would’ve been thinking about how to protect the women and children huddling in the back rooms, while others would be keeping watch and see the soldiers advancing. As the gunfire got louder and the man next to them was shot to death, the hopelessness of the situation would’ve sunk in. Their fear and the instinct to run and save themselves would’ve been a hard fight to win, but they beat it down. They knew what they had to do. They were fighting for their freedom. Everyone who fought in the Battle of the Alamo was well aware the odds of surviving were slim. Eventually, a sense of inevitability would’ve settled over them. They were outnumbered, and death was one shot away. Just like today’s military personnel.”

  “I don’t know how they did it,” Isabella whispered. “How you do it?”

  He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her, reveling in the fact she wound her arms around him. “I serve my country and I know the risks. My job keeps the kids you’re teaching safe and able to sleep at night without fear.”

  “You probably get sick of people asking you about why you went into the military.”

  Ethan reached between them and lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “You can ask me anything. Anything about my job and I will answer the questions.”

  The silence stretched between them. Had he pushed too far? He still didn’t understand her reticence to dating someone who was in the military. Hell, he didn’t even know if they would have a third date.

  A group of teenagers walked past, laughing and joking, breaking the spell that had befallen them.

  “I should probably go home,” she murmured. “It’s getting late.”

  Ethan nodded. “Where’s your car?”

  “In the multistory lot around the corner.”

  “Let me walk you to your car.”

  Isabella nodded, and he once again popped his arm around her shoulder, smiling when her hand slipped into the back pocket of his jeans.

  Standing beside her car five minutes later, beads of sweat dotted his brow and palms—and not from the short walk to her vehicle. His blood pounded in his ears. He wanted badly to kiss her.

  Isabella extracted her hand from his jeans pocket and dug in her purse for her keys. He missed the warmth of her touch.

  “Well,” she started and looked up at him.

  There was a gleam in her eye as she angled herself a little closer to him. Almost a wish. Without second-guessing what he was about to do, he leaned down and placed his lips over hers.

  She shuffled a little closer; her arms wound around his neck and he hooked his other one loosely around her waist. Their lips danced to a sweet, silent tune. Her mouth opened to deepen the kiss and he took advantage, slipping his tongue inside. A soft moan whispered out of her.

  Ethan made himself pull away slowly. He touched his lips to hers for a brief moment before stepping back. “I had a really nice time tonight, Izzy.”

  “Me too. Umm…” She looked up at the roof and then back at him.

  What he wanted to do was ask her out again. For the first time in, hell, he couldn’t even remember when, he wanted to do more than just have a couple of casual dates that ended up nowhere. He wanted to spend as much free time as he could getting to know the beautiful teacher in front of him while he waited for his next deployment orders. The big question was—did she want the same or was she about to brush him off?

  “Do you want to come over for dinner one night?” The words rushed out of her mouth in a torrent.

  He inwardly fist-pumped. “I’d really like that.” He managed to keep his voice casual so as not to give away how excited he was by the prospect of spending more time with her.

  “Great. How about tomorrow?” Her eyes widened.

  “You already regret saying that, don’t you?” he responded, chuckling. He should be offended by her reaction, but he wasn’t. He was only glad she had agreed to another date.

  Fortunately, she laughed and shrugged. “Maybe, but how about it? Dinner at my place? I promise not to poison you.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Her mouth might have said the words, but her eyes still held a startled deer-in-headlights look.

  If he was into betting, he’d lay odds tomorrow he’d get a text canceling dinner.

  Chapter Six

  “What was I thinking?” Isabella muttered as she picked up the pieces of the bowl that had shattered on the floor. The only time she wore a maxi dress and it got covered in crushed avocado.

  Last night, she’d clearly been caught up in the fog of Ethan’s kiss. Why else would she have asked him over to dinner? They’d ended up having such a nice night together, which surprised the heck out of her. Now confusion rode through her senses and she’d questioned her sanity many times during the day.

  It had been a miracle she’d been able to drive herself home with the thoughts of Ethan and his kiss that had taken up residence in her head. Her mind had been blown away totally by the sensual touch of his lips on hers. Her body had craved more, a longing she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

  Of course, her dreams st
arred Ethan and his lips. The dreams had started off sweet and sexy and then they’d turned sinister with a dark shadow looming over Ethan. She’d awakened with her heart racing and her body covered in sweat. Falling back to sleep had been a chore, and when she finally managed it, well, her dreams didn’t bear remembering.

  What she should’ve done was follow through on her thoughts and text Ethan to cancel their dinner date the second she got up. Every time she picked up her phone, opened her message app, her finger had hovered over his name for a couple of seconds before she put the phone down. Texting to cancel anything was a cheat’s way out of doing things. The problem was, if she called him, the sound of his voice in her ear would send her plans of cancellation flying out the window.

  Now here she was, a half an hour before Ethan was due to arrive, cleaning up homemade guacamole off the floor. She still had to change, too. At least the lasagna she’d made was in the oven. There would be nothing worse if that were the dish she’d dropped. They’d been eating takeout.

  With one last swipe of a cloth, the mess was cleaned up. So, they’d have salsa and chips to snack on before dinner instead.

  Isabella raced to her room, whipping the dress over her head and tossing it into the hamper as she passed it on her way to her closet. It had taken her ages to decide what to wear, and now she had to come up with another outfit in five minutes.

  She reached in and grabbed the first thing she spied, another sundress, similar to the one she’d had on the previous evening. There was no time to debate whether it was perfect or not. Ethan would be arriving any minute now and the last thing she wanted to be doing was zipping herself up while answering the door.

  The doorbell rang as she was coming out of the bathroom after touching up her makeup. The butterflies in her stomach turned into a herd of stampeding elephants.