Page 103 of Seasoned
“You dated your banker?”
“He was a great guy!” she said defensively. “But it was completely inappropriate for him to ask me out in the middle of processing my loan application. At first I thought he was using the loan as some kind of leverage, but then I realized he was too nice of a guy for that. His timing was just off. We dated for about a year, and then he asked me to marry him. I said yes. But then…”
“But then what?”
Jackie shrugged. “But then I broke off the engagement because I realized that he wasn’t what I was looking for. Sure, he was stable and good to me, but there was no passion. No excitement. I wanted what my parents had. I wanted what my best friend Adelaide had with her husband, and I didn’t want to settle for less. I didn’t need him for security because I could take care of myself. But what I really needed, he wasn’t offering, and I eventually had to tell him so.”
“Bet that was a tough conversation to have,” Tyson mused.
She nodded emphatically. “It was. Painful, but necessary. There was no way I could marry him, because I knew that in another five years or so, I would be asking for divorce. I took the advice of another girlfriend, one who’s been married three times.”
“What was her advice?”
“Never settle for good enough. Because it’s never actually…good enough.”
10
Hand in hand, Jackie and Tyson strolled the sand at La Jolla Cove. The sea lions had converged on the beach, barking and grunting as if to get the attention of the smattering of people leisurely walking along the shore.
“This is the perfect end to the evening,” Jackie remarked.
“I agree.” Tyson squeezed her hand. He carried her shoes in his right hand.
Great food and great conversation meant a memorable night. No doubt she’d fallen for Tyson ten years ago, but the man she’d come to know over the past three dates was intriguing in a different way. She not only enjoyed his company and the sexy undertones of attraction, they were connecting on a deeper level, opening up and sharing more about their lives.
“When do you go back?” Jackie asked, thinking about how much harder the separation would be this time.
They stopped and Tyson stood with his back to the water. “I told you before I can stay as long as I want.” His eyes searched her face.Is that what you want? he seemed to ask.
Jackie glanced away at the dark water. She couldn’t answer the unspoken question yet because as much as she enjoyed her time with Tyson, she was still overwhelmed.
“What were you about to say back at the restaurant, before the waitress arrived to take our order?”
She had to think for a minute because the incident had occurred a couple of hours before. “I was going to tell you that not only did I not hold the mistake of the restaurant against you in Atlanta, I always had a good time whenever we were together.” Her cheeks heated.
“That means a lot to me, and I can’t tell you again how much I regret not following up. I should have, but I didn’t.”
She shrugged. “We all make mistakes.”
“We shouldn’t make life-altering mistakes like that.” He tugged her closer and placed his lips against her cheek. It wasn’t a kiss. More like a snuggle or simple show of affection. Nonetheless, being held so close awakened her desire for him. She played with the button on his shirt, glad for the cool ocean breeze blowing on her heated skin.
“I have a surprise for you,” Tyson whispered.
“You do, do you?” Jackie arched an eyebrow.
Tilting back her head, she rose up on her toes. She had a surprise for him, too, and it included the two of them going back to her place and—
The sounds of violins pierced the night air. Startled, she turned and her mouth fell open at the sight of three tuxedo-clad men coming toward them on the sand.
“Tyson…” she whispered, her throat clogging with emotion.
He hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her back into his body. “Surprise,” he whispered.
People gathered around as the three men serenaded them on the beach. Tyson kept his arm closed around Jackie as if he couldn’t let her go. She enjoyed the close contact, being held by him, in the warm circle of his arm. The surprise was over-the-top, romantic, and she loved it.
When the violinists finished playing, they and the small crowd that had gathered clapped profusely and whistled their appreciation. The men bowed, smiled, and then began their retreat. The crowd dispersed, and Jackie and Tyson were alone once again.
“You are really knocking it out of the park tonight,” she said, taking hold of one of the buttons on his vest.
