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I used to think winks were silly or cheesy, but when Jack winked, I felt all gooey inside.

I cut a small bite and raised my fork. “I can’t eat with you staring at me.”

“Sorry. I want to see your reaction when you take the first bite of the best steak you’ve ever eaten.”

“Fine.” I pulled the bite off my fork and chewed thoughtfully.

I thought about shrugging and saying it was okay, but I couldn’t hold back the happy yummy sounds as I chewed. It really was the best steak I’d ever had.

“That good, huh?” Jack smiled and shifted in his chair.

“Yes.” No point in trying to lie. “It’s delicious.”

Jack laughed when I apologized to my steak.

We talked while we ate, keeping the conversation light. Jack didn’t ask me about my family, which was good. I trusted him, but still wasn’t ready to open that can of worms yet. I worried he would bolt if I told him about my family, my past.

Jack refilled our wineglasses, careful to only pour me a half serving, before collecting the dirty dishes and taking them into the kitchen. He refused to let me help. “This is a date. I can’t let you do all the work.”

“You haven’t let me do any of the work.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about him calling this a date. I had to make up my stupid mind. Did I want to date him or not? I couldn’t keep going back and forth. It wasn’t fair to Jack.

“Wrong, I let you make the salad, and that’s all I’m letting you do.”

The weather was perfect, so we sat on the patio chatting and sipping wine for a while after dinner. As the sun was setting, Jack listed some movies for me to choose from: “John Wick, Ever After, The-”

I cut him off. “You have Ever After?”

“I do now,” he grinned. “You mentioned it’s one of your favorites, and I figured I should probably have something to watch that isn’t an action flick.”

“Thanks.” I gave him my biggest, toothiest smile. I wasn’t used to this. “He’s too good to be true.”Shit. Did I say that out loud?

“I’m not. I assure you I have my share of flaws. Ask anyone.”

Yup, I most certainly did, and now I wanted to die. I picked up my wineglass and studied the contents.

“I’m guessing you’ve dated a few jerks who didn’t do nice things for you.”

“You could say that.” I continued to stare at my wine. I hadn’t dated many guys. Not that it mattered. I wasn’t thinking about them.

“Come on, let’s go watch Prince Charming save Cinderella.” Jack stood up and offered me a hand.

“Cinderella saves herself in this one.” I whispered, my voice as distant as my thoughts. I blinked twice, turning my attention back to Jack. “It’s one reason I love it so much.”

“Tell me Prince Charming at least helps?”

“You’ll see.”

Jack laughed out loud near the end when the prince arrived too late to save Cinderella. “You didn’t lie. Cinderella saved herself.”

“What’d you think?” I asked, as the credits rolled.

“Definitely not your typical fairy tale. I can see why you like it though, Cinderella’s a badass in this version.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

It was still early, so Jack suggested we watch another movie. I let him pick, and wasn’t surprised he chose an action flick.

I screamed myself awake, the terror from my nightmare clinging to me.

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