Page 8 of Christmas Hearts

Mandy is staying here with me while her grandmother's house is being renovated, so we're chatting while I get ready for a special date—his words, not mine.

"Do you think this is too much?"

I show her my lucky red dress. She rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything.

"Isn't that your sex dress?"

I blush.

"He said it was a special date."

"Have you guys even kissed?"

"No."

"Then don't wear the sex dress."

I hate it when Mandy is right. What do I want for this occasion? I want to see hunger and desire in his eyes when he sees me. Still, I put the dress away and get something sexy that doesn't scream 'fuck me.' I really want him to fuck me, though.

My head is chock full of thoughts that oppose one another. I didn't know it would be this hard to spend time with Justin, just the two of us. I'm pretty sure everyone can see how much I like him. He's the hot handyman who can have any woman he wants in Woodland Falls.

"This is better. Why are you guys rushing things, though? There's plenty of time to get to know one another. I've never known you to go all the way on the first date."

"And when was the last time I had a first date?"

"Don't let him know you're desperate."

Am I desperate? I haven't dated since college, perhaps because I've been pining for a sexy volunteer at the library.

"I just want to look good for him tonight."

"You're not telling me everything, but I'll let it go for now," Mandy says.

Even though she's my best friend, I don't want to share that the whole relationship is supposed to be fake because a big part of me doesn't want it to be fake, and if I tell someone, let alone my best friend, I fear it will crush me deep inside.

"Put on some high heels, and you're ready to go."

Justin towers over me at six foot two, so I need all the help I can get. Even though I'm far from petite, his presence overpowers the room whenever we're out together. I'm finishing the touches on my makeup when the doorbell rings.

I'm so nervous tonight. We've had small talk over the past few dates, but I want to ask him about his wife. I feel I have the right to know what happened. It's part of the man he's become. I want to get to know as much as possible about that man.

Mandy is chatting with Justin when I come downstairs. I give him a smile and am pleasantly rewarded when his eyes almost bug out when he sees my dress. He leaves Mandy in the middle of a sentence and walks over to me.

"You look breathtaking, Ana. Thank you for accepting to go out with me tonight."

I look at him funny. I mean, who wouldn't want to go out with a sexy, successful man like him? I think he's being silly.

"I'm ready when you are, Justin."

He offers me his elbow, and I hook my arm through it. At the door, he grabs my coat and puts it on me. Mandy looks like she wants to laugh, so I ignore her.

"Don't wait up," I tell her.

The drive to the next town, Green Brooks, is quiet. It takes us about thirty minutes to get there and find a parking spot in front of the restaurant. I always hope to find a spot near the entrance of any building I visit, but that's just me.

When we enter the premises I realize this is a really fancy restaurant. The decor is modern, and the ambiance is welcoming. The host greets us and takes us to our reserved table. I feel out of my comfort zone. I'm not used to fancy places like this. I hope I don't make a fool out of myself by not knowing what fork to use or what wine to choose.

"Are you okay, Ana? You look spooked."

---