Page 54 of My Undead Heart
“Yeah, well, I’m a pretty simple man. At least since I opened the gym.”
“What about before that?”
“When I was fighting?” She nods. It’s almost like another lifetime, the Matt from then so different from who I am now. “I trained, but after a fight, especially a win, I took a few weeks to indulge in the finer things of life.”
“Scandalous.”
She doesn’t know the half of it.“Yeah, but now look at me. It’s almost embarrassing to admit aloud how uneventful my days are.”
“Come on, you’ve got to do something for fun,” she says as if she doesn’t believe me.
Taking a moment to think, I pluck a grape and pop it in my mouth. “Okay, besides work I do sometimes meet up for dinner with my brother.”
Her eyes light with interest and she crosses her legs together to wrap her arms around them. “You have a brother? Older or younger? Any other siblings?”
A chuckle leaves my lips at her slew of questions. “Just the little bro. He’s what ... twenty-three now. Lives downtown not far from me.”
“Interesting. So, did you both grow up here?”
“In a graveyard? No.” I crack a joke because she’s really good at steering the questions my way and I’d rather not talk about my fucked up family. It’s an automatic downer and she doesn’t deserve that. I’m going for fantastic first date, not stay-away-and-never-again-date. “Yeah, I grew up near South Shore. But what about you? You don’t have the Chicago accent. Where did you hail from before Chi-town?”
“Little town in Iowa. Clear Lake. My parents will live and die there but it’s not for me. I love the big city. Moved here after high school with my best friend and haven’t looked back. That was sixteen years ago. This is home now.”
We continue to munch on food, trading stories and learning more about the other for the next hour. I love that she eats and chats with an ease I’ve never seen before. As if she’s letting down her guard down. I’m getting the real, unscripted version of her.
“Another?” I point to her empty glass. I’ve hardly touched mine. Not that it would hurt if I did, but even now I can’t allow myself to enjoy the pleasure.
“I better not,” she says but then frowns. “Wait, you don’t have a top for it. I feel bad wasting it.”
“Not a waste.” I smile and shake my head, holding the glass bottle. “Can’t ride with this open anyway.” I find a nearby trashcan and dispose of the leftover wine, along with our food wrappers. On my way back to Mia, I stoop at my mother’s grave and caress the headstone, my heart both full of love and heavy with sorrow. “Love you, Ma,” I whisper and then stand to help Mia refold the blanket. I should tell her exactly why this place is so special, but part of me wonders if it’s too personal, too fast. I grab for my bag and shove the blanket inside instead. Maybe the moment is lost, or I’m just a chickenshit, but either way there’s a storm moving in and I need to get Mia home before we’re caught in the rain. That, I’m certain, would ruin this perfect first date.
The ride back to her apartment isn’t as enjoyable, the wind whipping off the water brings a chill that settles in my bones. Mia holds me closer than she usually does, her entire front pressed against my back, and I wish I could enjoy it a little more. As night draws down upon us the lights ahead shine with the cityscape. Thankfully, the storm clouds from earlier yield no rain. My focus is on the road and getting Mia home safely, but there’s also a piece of me that doesn’t want this night to end. I may let up on the gas more than once the closer we get to her apartment, simply to draw out the drive.
Usually when I drop Mia off after training I wait at the curb, but today I park and we walk together in companionable silence. Reaching for the door to her building, I pull it open and wait for her to pass. I don’t think she’ll invite me up, but there’s a need in me to be a gentleman and make sure she gets inside without any problems.
Before we reach the elevator she stops and turns to meet my gaze. “This is me ...” She points behind her and I almost grin because I was right. She won’t invite me up. Not tonight.
“I had a really good time with you, Mia.”
Her brow narrows and lips purse. “I did too.”
“Don’t sound so damn surprised.” I laugh out loud and it causes her scowl to deepen before she shakes her head.
“Sorry, it’s just ... It really pains me to admit this to your face, but today was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Not just on a date.”
“Yes,” I hiss, close my fist tight, and pull it into my side.
She rolls her eyes, but laughter teases the edges of her mouth. “Oh God, you’re gonna gloat now, aren’t you?”
My smile widens. “Just proud I was able to set a new benchmark. No more sucking monkey balls for you, sister! All thanks to Matt Haywood.”
“Wow. Third person. Not at all arrogant.”
“Confidence. Confidence, Mia.” I wink and she shakes her head, but I can see the smile she tries to hide. Taking one step closer I put the joking aside to tell her how I really feel. “I’m glad you had fun, because I did, too. I can’t wait to wow you again. Next Sunday?”
“You’re really determined to drag this out.” I know she’s teasing, but the truth is, I’m not. I wish we could do this again tomorrow. If I didn’t have a failing business and two stupid side jobs, I’d ask her to have dinner with me every night this week. Probably a good thing I can’t, because even though she’s obviously had a good time, I don’t want to upend the trust we’ve built today by being overeager.
“Well, of course,” I smart. “I need at least a week to plan something that lives up to today.”
