Page 100 of Seasoned
“Am I?” Jackie touched her cheeks with both hands and laughed. “I haven’t felt like this about a man in a long time. Being with Tyson is exciting, but a little bit scary.”
“Because you’re afraid of getting hurt again?” Renee asked.
“Yes.” Admitting that out loud put a damper on her excitement. “I guess I’ll just have to see how things go. He says he wants to be with me, but who knows what will happen down the line. Right now all we’ve shared is a couple of meals and a very hot kiss. I’ll see what happens on our third date.”
“Which tie?”
Tyson held up a navy tie and a red and navy tie against the powder-blue shirt he planned to wear on his date tonight with Jackie. Seated at the kitchen counter, Yvonne bent her head toward the screen to get a closer look. Her mahogany-brown skin was makeup free, and her short hair tucked neatly behind her ears.
“The red and navy one. The color from the red is a nice touch.” She sat back.
Her husband, Patrick, sauntered into the frame and placed a hand on her lower back. “Hey, baby,” he said.
“Back so soon?” Tyson asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t plan to stay long. I just wanted to see the riding lawnmower up close, and now I’m pretty sure that I’ll get it. What are you two talking about?”
“Yvonne said I should go with this tie. What do you think?” One after the other, he held up the options again.
Patrick shrugged. “I’m more inclined to go with the solid blue one, but maybe you should do what she says.”
“He should absolutely do what I say, because I’m right.”
Patrick chuckled. “And there you have it.”
He disappeared from the screen, and Tyson heard him open the refrigerator.
“Okay, I’ll go with the red and blue. I have a feeling she’s going to like this one better, like you said.” Tyson tossed aside the other tie and placed the other on the bed beside his jacket and matching pants and vest.
“What’s the plan for tonight?” Yvonne rested her chin on her hand.
“Dinner at a restaurant in Little Italy, and if she’s up to it, a walk along the beach later.”
“Sounds nice. Make sure you have a towel to clean your feet after you go down to the beach,” Yvonne said.
“Yes, ma’am. Anything else?”
“I think you got it.” Yvonne tilted her head to the side. “Nervous?”
“A little. I really like her, Yvonne. She’s the one, and if she’s interested, I’m going to stay in San Diego.”
Yvonne gasped. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah. I might as well. Hell, I’m not getting any younger. I want to spend the rest of my days with someone whose company I enjoy and who I have things in common with. I want what you and Patrick have.”
Her features softened. “I’m definitely lucky.”
Patrick came back onto the screen with a can of Coke in hand and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m the lucky one. I’m going upstairs. Good luck tonight.”
“Thanks, man.” Tyson waited until Patrick was gone before he continued. “He’s right, you know. You’re a good woman. If anyone is lucky, it’s him.”
“Thank you, and I hope Jackie knows what a catch you are. You’ve changed a lot, for the better. You’re not the same man I divorced over twenty years ago.”
“The selfish, immature man who only cared about having a good time?”
“Don’t beat yourself up. I, for one, am proud to call you my friend.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Tyson inhaled a deep breath. “Okay, so the striped tie, right?”
